Everyone loves to snuggle in a warm, cozy flannel quilt, while making it is something that a few know. Learn how to make your own, customized flannel quilts and cuddle in the warmth of your efforts.

How to Make Flannel Quilts

Many of us have had beautiful, childhood memories of our grandma’s quilt that felt warm and cozy. Once you snuggled in, it was almost impossible to get yourself out. The fragrance of an era set long ago, the relic pieces of cloth with which it was stitched and the warmth of layers gave it a distinct character and took us into another world. Not all of us are privileged to have inherited such priceless treasures, but many have tried to make quilts that would measure up. In earlier times, it would have been difficult to know how to make ‘rag’ quilts, but in today’s information age, it is easy to find out ways in which one could make their dreams come true. One of the best materials to create a silky, smooth quilt is flannel. It is possible to make almost any kind of clothing from flannel, as it is fairly lightweight and warm. Originally from the Midwest, flannel was earlier made from carded wool, but nowadays, it is usually made from either wool and synthetic fiber or wool and cotton. Owing to the warm and soft texture of flannel fabric, it is best suited to make a perfect cozy quilt. There are many varieties of fabric designs available in the market today. You even get flannel quilt kits to help you through a step-by-step process of making a quilt. Moreover, there are many flannel quilt patterns catering to different people, whether it is for babies, children or adults. A simple technique describing how to make flannel quilts has been described below, just for you. 
 
Steps For Making A Flannel Quilt 
  • Select a Pattern: There are many local stores as well as online sites where you can choose a fabric pattern. Many of the websites even provide a list of free patterns from which you can select designs. Usually, the easiest pattern to work with is pieces that are chunky like a bow tie or an Armish diamond design.
  • Decide the Size: Based on the size of your quilt, you will be able to determine the amount of fabric you need.
  • Buy the Fabric: Using your pattern and quilt size as a guideline, you will be able to purchase fabric accordingly. Always ensure that you purchase good, thick quality fabric, to make your quilt more durable.
  • Prepare the Fabric: After purchasing, it is important you wash the fabric twice, in hot water, ensuring you use a dryer to dry it every time. This is done because flannel has a tendency to shrink to and you would want it to come to the right size, before you begin stitching. Once you have washed the fabric, you should starch and iron it, without using steam.
  • Fabric Cutting and Labeling: Once you have the fabric prepared, you can begin cutting it according to your pattern. The pattern you get will give measurements of various cut pieces that make your quilt. As you cut the pieces, label them appropriately, to help make it easier while stitching.
  • Stitching: With everything ready, you can follow the design pattern and stitch the pieces together, as per the labeling, to make the quilt cover.
  • Batting, Basting and Backing: Batting is the padding or filling used inside a quilt. It ranges from synthetics, manmade fabrics to natural fibers such as wool and cotton. Batting should be sandwiched between the quilt top and basted or tacked to ensure it does not fall apart. Once you have it pinned, select the backing you need to layer the quilt top from underneath. Backing material, traditionally, comes in plain cotton and other cotton varieties.
  • Stitching the Design: Using an outline of the design, hand stitch or machine stitch each block. Stitch along the seams, in the ditch, to ensure a neat result.
  • Binding: The last stage of making your quilt involves binding, which is the finishing touch to bind the rough edges, after it is quilted. You could use the overlap of the material from the quilt cover or the backing; or you could use the extra strip of material that will match the color scheme of the design.

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