How to Quilt Minky Together

Quilters often have strong preferences for the fabrics they use to make quilts. Cotton is a standard fabric, with its wide range of colors and ease in handling making it an ideal quilting fiber. A newer textile that many quilters like to incorporate into projects, minky is a synthetic fabric that resembles the softness of mink fur. If you use minky for the quilt top and minky for the quilt backing, you have the benefit of the thick and plush layers that can eliminate the need for a layer of batting. Quilt minky together for a fast and simple quilt.

Things You'll Need

• Quilt backing fabric (minky)
• Quilt top (pieced with minky)
• Basting pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine (with walking foot)
• Cotton thread

Instructions

1. Lay out the quilt backing fabric wrong side facing up on a flat work surface and spread it evenly. Place the quilt top on top of the quilt backing with the right side of the quilt top facing up. Smooth the quilt top and align the corners and edges perfectly.

2. Place the basting pins into the quilt top and backing to hold the two layers in place securely. Pin the quilt layers about every 2 inches throughout the entire quilt.

3. Cut around the quilt backing to remove any excess fabric. Make the two layers the same size.

4. Insert the walking foot into your sewing machine. The walking foot will enable you to sew the two layers evenly without the fabrics shifting as you sew. Most sewing machines have a walking foot attachment available for separate purchase.

5. Thread the sewing machine with thread that either matches or contrasts with the minky fabric.

6. Place the pin-basted quilt into the sewing machine so you start quilting it in the center and work your way toward the outside edges. The most simple way to stitch the quilt is to stitch about 1/8-inch away from the seam lines of the quilt blocks. You might stitch along every seam line or only some of them -- but make sure you stitch about every 2 inches over the entire quilt to stabilize the layers and prevent them from moving.

7. Remove the pins as you quilt and continue quilting the entire quilt.

Tips & Warnings

• Bind the quilt with a thin strip of matching minky fabric for the most pleasing results. Cut 2 1/2-inch minky strips perpendicular to the selvage (the printed edges of the fabric) and stitch the strips together to make a long continuous binding strip long enough to go around the entire outer edge of the quilt. Fold the binding strip in half lengthwise with the right sides facing out. Stitch the raw edges of the binding strip to the raw edges of the quilt using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Fold the edge of the binding over to the back side of the quilt and hand stitch the binding in place around the edge of the quilt.

• Expect to clean your sewing machine and work area after working and sewing with minky fabric. The minky sheds excessively as you cut and sew with it.

References

• Fabric.com: Minky Fabric