I have named this Other’s Quilts since I am happy using other designers’ patterns! My friend Donna Robertson of Fabric Cafe has wonderful 3-yard quilt patterns. The one I am working on today is called Stepping Up. It has been a free pattern on her website. (Hopefully, you can still catch it there!) I have purchased a couple of her books and single patterns over the years. I love her inspiration and concept of using only 1 yard each of three fabrics.

I am working with flannel for “Stepping Up”. I got it cut out last night and almost completely sewn together with several breaks. Had I focused only on the quilt, it would have been done tonight. YES, that easy!

A few pictures and steps of working with flannel fabrics…seams…blocks…

I press the seam as it was sewn to “set the seam”. I am a fan of doing this with any fabrics. I feel it is a good practice and helps the seam stay put! For flannel, I like to open the seam flat to reduce the bulk. I also use either starch or Best Press or my new favorite “Premium Quilting & Crafting Spray” by Magic. It is fragrance free!!! I have no affiliation to any of the sprays listed, just a happy customer! I buy in large quantities and put it to my wonderful mist spray bottle. The addition on the spray helps to stabilize the flannel. Flannel can be very stretchy, so handle with care! I also pre-wash to help shrink the fabric as much as possible. Often, I use a spray before I cut, this time I didn’t. I wanted to get the strips cut and just didn’t take the time. So I was extra careful when I cut and sewed the seams…there is that no stretching, again! Below are some of the process photos.

Press to SET the SEAM as it was sewn!

Press seams open. I use my finer to get it started and carefully use the tip of the iron to finish. Then spray with the Magic Spray.

I always press again from the right side of the strips or blocks. I want to be sure there are no tucks pressed into the seam line. I love my wool pressing mat when I press!

And TADA….blocks cut and sewn into rows and a few rows sewn together. I’ll be adding borders. I’m happy with this flannel quilt and oh so fast to make!

#1- Use a spray to help stabilize flannel fabric!

#2 – Use care and a light touch to not stretch flannel when you are working with it!

in quilting,

Debbie