Sunday, February 24, 2013

Bella Patchwork in Arcadia

aka "On Backing a Quilt with Minky"


Bella Patchwork in Arcadia
 Marking another long-standing WIP off my list! I decided to back this one in double-sided Minky Fleece (and I skipped the batting). As much as I loved putting together the top of this quilt--Aradia is one of my favorite lines, I got to put some honey bun strips to use (!!), and Elizabeth's Bella Patchwork pattern is fabulous--I truly hated the quilt assembly process.

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I confirmed my suspicions: Minky is e.v.i.l. I had a heck of a time basting this quilt, and as a result the quilting is pretty dreadful. The 60-inch-wide double-sided minky was not quite wide enough for this quilt (which finishes around 62x75), so I had to piece it together for the back, which left a big lumpy seam. I wasn't sure how hand-stitching the binding would go on a Minky-backed quilt, so I attempted attaching it by machine, and I'm just not very good at that!

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Now. Despite my many grumbles, I can assure you that this will be the most-loved quilt in my house because, after all, Minky is crazy soft and cozy. I just won't rush to back another quilt in it any time soon.

12 comments:

Debbie said...

This confirms my suspicions about Minky! Glad you got it done, though, and obviously it is already well loved!

Heather D. said...

Awww, sorry it didn't work out for you. I've used it a few times recently. Spray basting is the way to go with minky, straight line quilting only (in my opinion!) and only on a quilt that doesn't need a pieced back. So sorry that it was frustrating for you, but glad to see that the quilt is being loved. :)

Erin Quinn said...

I agree with Heather. Lots of spray basting. They do end up as the softest, cosiest, most snuggly of quilts :-)
E xx

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

Too funny! I'm in the middle of binding a quilt with minky! I hated it because the minky snowed all over the place. I always pin baste when I use minky even though I hate pinning. And hand sewing the binding is actually really easy and the fuzz hides your stitching. It holds up pretty well too. I have one that is 2 yrs old and still holding tight. Don't give up on minky! :)

Tracey Jacobsen said...

send minky to a long arm! :) MUCH easier! I've done a couple - and I did a turned binding for the edge on the one I did myself. The long arm quilting was awesome for the minky though. Cute quilt!

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Sarah said...

I've never tried minky and you've concerned my suspicions. But it does look so lovely soft and cuddly. I think you've found a willing owner and user of the quilt. Cute pic. How old is your little boy? I have a 6yo who never falls asleep anywhere except bed, and a 4yo who falls asleep everywhere! Usually at dinner time after a big day at preschool.

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Kristie said...

I have done the minky thing a few times now, and it gets better! But yah, avoid the seam, that would be crappy with all that bulk! Basting worked okay for me with the one sided minky and batting!

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Emily said...

OH my goodness - that minky looks evil. But that angelic picture at the end of the post? Totally worth it! :) Someday I'll back a quilt with minky... my guild friend who long-arms sometimes uses it... that might be an excuse to get something longarmed someday. :)

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