using a flannel sheet as a quilt backing

I read somewhere that if you use a flannel sheet to back a quilt you don't need to use batting - is it true? I found a great flannel sheet to back a full-sized quilt & was just wondering if I needed to add batting or not.

Thanks for any input, Beth

A quilt made from just the top and a piece of flannel would be very thin, which might be a good weight for a summer blanket, receiving blanket, or bedspread.  (It would likely be transluscent when held up to light though -- you'd probably be able to see all the piecing pretty easily through the back.) 

I think having a middle layer of flannel or batting would be a good idea, to avoid the "lumpiness" of the seam allowances and to prevent the translucence that Elizabeth mentioned.  A flannel interlining (batting) would still give you a very lightweight quilt.

I would not, however, use a flannel sheet. I've been using flannel sheets on my bed for 20 years, and I can testify that they continue to shrink and shrink and shrink over the years. If you bought a very expenisve, high thread count sheet and washed and dried it several times, you can minimize the residual shrinkage, but you can't eliminate it entirely.

The really cute flannel sheet with Sandra Boynton Sheep that I picked up for $2 at goodwill - guessing it's not a great thread count. Good to know it will keep shrinking before I attempt the project. Is there any type of flannel or fleece backing that is good for a quilt? My little one is obsessed with her fleece blankie and I wanted something nice & soft on the back of her quilt.

Thanks - Beth

Fleece wouldn't shrink!  Usually, I like to use the same fabric (fiber and thread count) for both sides of the quilt, but if you want something soft that won't shrink, I would go with a fleece. Probably it would be easiest to tie it, though.

All cotton flannels will shrink, so definitely wash in the hottest water and machine dry before using. I think shrinkage is minimal after that. There is no reason you can't use a flannel sheet on the back of a quilt. Many quilters back with flannel. It's your preference as to whether you want to sandwich batting. That batting can be regular batting or another sheet or flannel. The higher quality the flannel, the longer it will last and stay soft and fluffy.

Poly fleece and other soft materials like minkee should not shrink - I know minkee should be washed with cold water and dried on low. I've not tried quilting poly fleece, but all the others can be quilted, though obviously minkee is a minor challenge.

Carol

I have made several quilts both with fleece backings and with flannel backs.  I wash the flannel first and dry it in a hot dryer and only air dry my completed quilts so have never had a problem with shrinking (I could be wrong but I think most shrinkage occurs in the dryer).  I do use batting in the middle when I use flannel.  For the fleece quilts no batting is required and I quilt those quilts too.  For an extra cuddly quilt I also made one with flannel on top and fleece on back (I have so many flannel scraps left from making pajamas with no idea what to do with them so I thought, why not?  I used a very simple pattern as flannel is a little more difficult to work with then quilter's cotton)  I have only been quilting for about 5 years so none of my quilts have seen years and years of use yet, but so far I am happy with the results!

I am making a simple quilty of 11X11 squares for my daughter. This is my first attempt at a quilt. She is moving to a big bed so I wanted to give her something special.
I was thinking about using a regular cotton sheet for the back. Is that okay??

I've used a cotton sheet for several quilt backings, including one quilt that gets used daily by my niece and washed at least once a week.  I've had no problems at all with that quilt.  In fact, I love the softness of the backing and plan on doing another quilt like this for my daughter.  Since I purchased the sheet set brand new for her, I've washed it several times in really hot water and dried in a hot dryer to make sure it's shrunk as much as it's likely too.  So in my opinion, it's fine to use  a sheet, go for it!

Yes, a regular cotton sheet is perfectly fine!

I've made  blankets with a cotton top and cotton flannel bottom and no batting. They are very light-weight and perfect for summertime. I've had no problems doing this and people have completemented that they are the perfect weight for baby. 

I've also made blankets with two cotton layers and a cotton flannel as the batting. It was perfect weight for year-round use and also great for baby.

Just wash them well so they do most of the shrinking up front. You should be good though.

I have used regular cotton sheets as quilt backs, but they are often hard to hand quilt.  I would recommend machine quilting instead. 

I, too, was thinking of using flannel (by the yard, not a sheet) for a lightweight toddler quilt. any tips for choosing a good quality flannel? All the stuff I see in the store seems very thin and cheap.

I've used Maywood's Woolies flannel line and love it.  It's soft and thick.  Here's some: http://www.eeschenck.com/default.asp?SuperStore=348&s=348
And also this line is great as well: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/fabricdetail/3727
I've also used the "cheap stuff" and haven't had any problems with it either.  I used it for my boys' quilts on their beds which have been washed a ton.  It's good in that the quilts aren't super heavy, but still soft. 

Since you found your cute sheet at Goodwill, it seems like it's endured at least a little love and washing.  One more wash and dry would be sufficient, it would seem. 
I'm new to quilting, but I'm in love with it.  I think you should try your own idea, regardless of what any of us say, and see for yourself whether the results please you.  Just go for it.  If it doesn't work out try again!  Quilt-making is fun, so maybe you'll enjoy an excuse to make a new one if this idea doesn't go as you wish. 

I was drawn to your post because I'd like to try using a sheet, too, for the back of a quilt for my little son.  Good luck to us both!