Can you quilt with minky fabric?

We love the feel of Minky fabrics. They are so cuddly, warm, and perfect for snuggling! It's a wonderful fabric for quilts, but we frequently hear, “If only it were easier to sew with!” Never fear, there are ways to make sewing with Minky fabrics less of a challenge.

Is it difficult to quilt with Minky fabric?

Many people find sewing with Minky fabric to be quite challenging as it slips & slides all around, can stretch & pucker like you've never seen, and tends to leave fuzzy lint everywhere!

Should you prewash Minky fabric before sewing?

No, Since Minky is polyester and does not shrink, you do not need to pre-wash minky fabric. Yay! However, you will need Pre-wash any other fabric that is not synthetic like polyester, such as cotton that will be sewn together with the Minky.

What needle do you use with minky?

We recommend using a 90/14 stretch needle (we love SCHMETZ needles) when sewing with minky fabrics. Let's explain. Minky fabric is a knit, so using a stretch needle will help prevent making holes in the fabric and it helps prevent skipped stitches.

What tension should I use for minky fabric?

Adjusting your stitch length up to 3.0 or 3.5 will help. Make sure your pressure foot tension is not too tight, this can cause the fabric to not feed through the machine evenly.

How to Use Cuddle® Minky Fabric on a Cotton Quilt

How do you piece a minky quilt backing?

To create a self-binding, fold the 1″ margin of Minky and batting by about 3/8″ towards the quilt top. Then fold again so that the Minky overlaps the quilt top by about 3/8″. Pin well along all sides of the quilt. To miter the corners of the binding, trim the excess batting across the corner and fold in the Minky in.

How do you finish the edges of a minky blanket?

The first and easiest way to finish the minky blanket, is fold over those edges 1” towards the wrong side (white solid color) of the fabric and sew it down. You can use a zig zag stitch or a coverstitch machine. With the pile of the fabric, those stitches blend right in and you can hardly see them.

What can I make with Minky fabric?

How do you keep Minky from shedding?

Minky's do have a tendency to shed, and you don't want to encourage it by doing a big load of washing all at once. When machine washing your Minky Mama's blanket, it is best to use traditional liquid laundry detergent; avoid using pod detergent.

Can minky fabric go in dryer?

If it's all minky, it's best to wash on gentle with cool water in the washing machine, then remove and throw it in the dryer on low heat. Dry on low heat for about 10 minutes, then pull it out to hang dry.

What is the best backing for a baby quilt?

I love the idea of flannel as a backing for a baby quilt because of it's softness. A very nice touch (no pun intended) for baby. I highly recommend pre-washing all the fabrics in your baby quilt to make them shrink. (Checking for bleeding fabric is another separate test.)

Can you sew Minky and cotton together?

Minky does not shrink, so if you are pairing it with cotton (like in this tutorial), make sure to pre-wash the cotton first.

What is the right side of Minky fabric?

Most minky fabric is one-sided, meaning the plusher, fur-like texture is only on the top side. Fleece fabric is also made from 100% polyester fibers, and like minky fabrics, they're knit, but they have a much different skin feel.

What is so special about Minky blankets?

Minky Blankets Stay Softer Longer

Minky blankets stay softer much longer than typical blankets. They're 100% polyester, which is thicker and plusher than fleece, which is what most blankets are made from. This more durable fabric means your blanket will stay just as soft and warm as the day you brought it home.

Can you wash a minky in the washing machine?

It can be used wet or dry. Hand wash in warm soapy water to keep pad clean and fresh. Re-shape whilst damp and allow to air dry.

Can you sew minky and fleece together?

Yes, you can make a cotton fabric top (pieced or quilted) and add minky or fleece on the back. Many people like to use minky or fleece for quilt backs because those fabrics give such a soft and snuggly feel to the finished quilt. How do you measure a quilt back?

Is minky fabric toxic?

Minky is safe for babies because it will keep them warm and it feels soft against their skin. Even though it does have a furry texture, the fabric is lightweight, so it won't be too heavy to use with a baby.