Sewing with Minky fabric question

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

I am making another baby blanket...this time using the oh so soft Minky fabric.....

I have a couple of questions for anyone that has used this fabric...and yes, I have scoured the internet and did get some insight.

I have the top done and ready to add the minky fabric to the back, but am wondering if I need to add batting to the blanket? I don't want it to be to warm. I know that I need to somehow attach the layers together either by tying the blanket or doing some sewing randomly thru the blanket. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

kislandlover · ‎09-04-2014

I found it was easiest to work with without batting. Even then, quite frustrating. I had the most success with the sticky spray that holds the layers together. My friend finished one of mine by hand quilting with the layers stretched in a hoop, using larger stitches. Love the feel of minky, but gave up woking with. Wish you much luck!

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

Well fudge....I knew the fabric would be a challenge and I did buy the spray, now I don't even want to try working on it......

I went back on line and one poster said she did not use batting, sewed around all the edges, leaving a place to turn inside out and hand sewed the opening, then topstitched around all edges.

...but to me it would seem odd to be able seperate the layers...thinking maybe I should do some light stitching to keep the layers together, ugh.....usually I know exactly what to do, but this is a gift, and first time using minky...

@kislandlover wrote:
I found it was easiest to work with without batting. Even then, quite frustrating. I had the most success with the sticky spray that holds the layers together. My friend finished one of mine by hand quilting with the layers stretched in a hoop, using larger stitches. Love the feel of minky, but gave up woking with. Wish you much luck!

and I don't want to mess it up.

Dusty1 · ‎03-10-2010

Minky is a challenge, but so sweet to feel! The spray adhesive is a good idea, or otherwise do a lot of pinning before sewing, so that it doesn't slide & move. I wouldn't really worry about the two layers seperating. To me it just isn't a big concern, but you could certainly do some stitching or tying if you think it is. If your machine is one with decorative stitching, you could just do a random "quilting" all over the blanket. Squares, random lines or around a print. If there is one on the opposite fabric.

kislandlover · ‎09-04-2014

Don't give up before you start! Kids (and adults) love this fabric. Just don't try to do any complicated or busy designs, or it will pucker like crazy. Use straight lines, long stitches and go slow. You are correct that even when not using batting, you still need some quilting to hold it together. If you've already got the top finished, and I've scared you too much to continue, go to your local quilt shop or find someone with a long arm machine with stretchers to keep the layers tight. Or, get a large hoop and do some hand stitching like my friend did. She said it wasn't bad at all.

Again, good luck!

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

...thanks for the advice and encouragement....I have every thing squared up and ready to spray baste and pin...on my next day off this week.

Fingers crossed, ha!

Witchy Woman · ‎03-15-2010

I sew exclusively with fleece when I make baby blankets for Project Linus. I'm not sure if you are using the Minky with little "dots," but if you are, that might influence the info I am passing along.

I cut two equal lengths of fleece and just layer them together. I then stitch around about 2 inches from the edges and then, do a cut fringe edge. I cut about an inch into both layers of fabric and it gives a casual, fringey appearance. The stiching holds the layers together.

It is a version of the fleece "tied" blankets. I decided I didn't really like the knotted version for baby blankets and devised a design that allowed me to cut a fringed edge, but not tie it.

I've gotten lots of great feedback from the recipients of the donated blankets.

Because fleece and minky are so substantial, I would never attempt to seam and turn for a blanket. The edges do not fray on the fleece and batting seems unnecessary.

I also was frustrated with the fleece shifting, so I pinned like crazy and that was so time consuming. I've found that if I even my edges and spray about one inch back, it holds the edges of the blanket firmly for stitching.

I apologize if none of this helps you, but I thought I'd at least pass along my thoughts. I've made hundreds of these fringed blankets and each one is prettier than the next.

If you decide to do this, and need to know what to do about corners, let me know.

qvc4 · ‎03-09-2010

momtodogs....I made quite a few blankets for my granddaughter using the very soft Minky fabric. She's 8 years..soon to be 9 and still won't give them up for new ones...lol....

One real important tip ....wash your Minky fabric before you do anything with it. Don't even cut it til you wash it and throw it in your dryer to dry. If you don't the fuzz will fly everywhere and if you choose to sew it with your sewing machine.it will save an awful lot of cleaning of your machine later. You still have to clean out the bobbin case but it's not too bad if washed beforehand. If you do use your machine and your Minky has the silky polyster-typre backing...(this is only with the softest Minky fabric) use a smaller, sharp sewing machine needle. It prevents poking huge holes in your fabric and makes it easire to sew.

It's really no different than edging a baby-fleece fabric with silk riibbon blanket edging and sewing it on your machine.

If I can think of anything else...I'll post it for you.

Good Luck and have fun!!!

PA Lady

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

@Witchy Woman.... my plan was to sew and turn inside out then stitch top stitch all around the blanket, then I did not have to worry about adding a binding...are you saying I should not do this? My blanket is not a fringe blanket..I am using cotton for the top and minky for the backing.

@Witchy Woman wrote:
I sew exclusively with fleece when I make baby blankets for Project Linus. I'm not sure if you are using the Minky with little "dots," but if you are, that might influence the info I am passing along.

I cut two equal lengths of fleece and just layer them together. I then stitch around about 2 inches from the edges and then, do a cut fringe edge. I cut about an inch into both layers of fabric and it gives a casual, fringey appearance. The stiching holds the layers together.

It is a version of the fleece "tied" blankets. I decided I didn't really like the knotted version for baby blankets and devised a design that allowed me to cut a fringed edge, but not tie it.

I've gotten lots of great feedback from the recipients of the donated blankets.

Because fleece and minky are so substantial, I would never attempt to seam and turn for a blanket. The edges do not fray on the fleece and batting seems unnecessary.

I also was frustrated with the fleece shifting, so I pinned like crazy and that was so time consuming. I've found that if I even my edges and spray about one inch back, it holds the edges of the blanket firmly for stitching.

I apologize if none of this helps you, but I thought I'd at least pass along my thoughts. I've made hundreds of these fringed blankets and each one is prettier than the next.

If you decide to do this, and need to know what to do about corners, let me know.

How would you bind the edges?

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

I've never worked with minky and don't know if I have ever seen it in the store - I'm sure I have. For some reason I automatically think it would be like working with fleece and I didn't like using that. I made a fleece bathrobe and that was enough for me. It was way too stretchy for me.