Comfy Quilts Made With Flannel Tubes

Hello, All-Carolyn from Carolyn’s Canvas here with one of my latest lightbulb flashes: What about making a comfy baby quilt using flannel tubes like we used to make woven potholders?  That would be so simple and quick and easy and cute and warm and, and, and… There are simply too many reasons to make this quilt!

Joann’s was having a super, duper sale on their flannels when I thought of this idea. I thought I’d just run over and pick up a couple of cuts and throw a quilt together real quick. But wouldn’t you know it—another lightbulb went off while I was picking out the 2 flannels: What about using 3 different flannels instead of just 2?

I no more had gotten the prettiest little bird prints with coordinating solid colors than that pesky light bulb flashed again: Since you are here and since the prices are so good and since there are so many flannels to choose from, wouldn’t a quilt be cute using 4 different fabrics? Have I mentioned that I have no intestinal fortitude whatsoever when it comes to fabric, especially when it is on sale?

Below, you’ll see the comfy quilts made with flannel tubes. I loved the hot air balloon print and matched it with the peach solid. As you can see, some of the tubes have been left unsewn so that treasures can be slipped in.

 This is the comfy quilt I made with 3 flannels:

Yep! I goofed. As soon as the quilt was pinned onto my design wall, I saw that I had made a mistake—you can’t miss it.

Then, here’s the comfy quilt with the chosen 4 flannels:

The quilts were simple to do. They are a nice weight even though there is no batting. There are four layers of flannel due to the weaving of the tubes. The comfy quilts each measure about 40″ wide by 45″ long. They can be made larger by adding more tubes to the width or lengthening the vertical tubes.  These comfy quilts have 8 horizontal tubes and 9 vertical tubes.

In choosing fabrics for the flannel tubes, consider the size of the print. Some I first chose were too large and got lost in the folding of the fabric.

Also, make sure you wash the flannels before you get started working with them, as there is usually some shrinkage.

For the 2 fabric quilt:

• 3 yards print flannel
• 3 yards solid flannel
• 6 yards binding

For the 3 fabric quilt:

• 1 1/2 yards print flannel
• 1 1/2 yards coordinating print flannel
• 3 yards solid flannel
• 6 yards binding

For the 4 fabric quilt:

• 1 1/2 yards print flannel
• 1 1/2 yards coordinating print flannel
• 1 1/2 yards solid flannel
• 1 1/2  yards solid coordinating flannel
• 6 yards binding

To make:

1. Cut horizontal strips 10″ wide across the width of fabric. This is to accommodate any directional print.

 2. Cut vertical strips 10″ wide by 50″ long from the length of the fabric.

 3. Sew strips lengthwise into tubes with right sides facing.

 4. Turn tubes right side out and press.

 5. Weave tubes keeping snugly together.

 6. Pin, pin, pin, pin, pin.

 7. Sew strips together using zigzag or other decorative stitching. I don’t have one, but I think a walking foot would be of great help sewing these together. Trim edges.

 8. Bind your comfy flannel quilt, and you are done.

This is a great beginner project. No pattern necessary. Warm and cozy. No matching of points or seams. Straight sewing. No batting.

Please let us know if you decide to try this. One gal purchasing flannels beside me is waiting for these instructions so she can make several.

Here is the link to my video tutorial.

Have a great quilting day,

Carolyn Wainscott

www.carolynscanvas.blogspot.com

What other sale-inspired projects have you made recently? Let us know below in the comments!