Working with Minky?

CarrieP · 02-01-2010, 06:29 PM

Has anyone worked with Minky fabric? My friend is getting me some specifically for a baby quilt backing. I know it is really soft and fluffy. I have no idea how to work with it. Do I skip the batting and just use the top and the minky? Can I quilt it with my regular walking foot? Should I prewash it (I'm not a prewasher)? Any other tips, tricks, hints, warnings?

UndrThTblNDrumng · 02-01-2010, 07:15 PM

Do you have a picture of the minky, is it a really fluffy one or something a little more velor like?

most minky is 100% poly so you won't need to prewash (but I always prewashs everything because I"m just that kinda person). Though because it won't shrink with the rest of the quilt, I would suggest prewashing the other fabrics.

It's also really streatchy so if you're planning on quilting it, make sure you baste really really well... or better yet, use a basting spray.

As far as to use batting or not, it's a matter of how thick you want the quilt. if you want it heavier then add batting. The minky with cotton top will give you a nice medium (kinda on the lighter side) weight baby quilt.

Your walking foot should be just fine. i've only used minky with the minky side on top. I'm not quite sure how it will go through your machine with the minky side down.

I hope some of this helped

CarrieP · 02-02-2010, 08:45 AM

Thanks for the tips! I haven't actually seen the fabric yet. My friend ordered it for me and it is still on backorder. I have the top finished and was just thinking about if I should order some batting or not. I only use fusible batting. I hate pinning. It will be a spring baby, so I don't need a really thick quilt. Maybe I should wait until I actually see the minky before I make any decisions.

stacy_smile · 02-03-2010, 03:12 PM

I made my DD's baby quilt with flannel and minky-dot on the top and then the same minky-dot for the backing. I didn't use any batting because I wanted a super snugly wrap around you kind of quilt. I love her quilt much more than the one I made for her sister with flannel and batting - it's just softer and drapes better over her. I just pinned a bunch and quilted in the ditch on mine and it goes through the machine just fine, but you definitely need to secure it in some way or else it goes everywhere! Good luck and I LOVE minky on a baby quilt!

stitchesbyshilo · 02-03-2010, 03:28 PM

I've used flannel for the top and dot minky for the the back of a couple blankets and I just make sure I pin it ALOT. I probably go overboard but I pin every 1.5" or so and I don't have any problem with it moving around on me. I don't use any batting. I like the feel of the blanket just the way it is but it's really a matter of preference.