Hi everyone! I'm Jann from Newton Custom Interiors. A few weeks ago, I shared here on So Sew Easy, a tutorial about how to sew a quilted tablet cover with zippered pocket. In the tutorial, I explained that I couldn't find reversible quilted fabric in my local fabric stores that I liked, so I decided to make my own. There were some questions about how I made it, so today I'm going to be explaining how to make your own reversible quilted fabric.
Reversible quilted fabric is two fabrics that have a layer of batting between them, and then they are quilted together.
This kind of fabric is great for bags, like my tablet cover, because you can have two fabrics – one for the outside and one for the inside of the bag, and the quilting keeps all of the layers from shifting.
Tablet Cover With Zippered Pocket
Deby has also made some oven mitts using this method. Aren't they cute? I love the fabrics.
Materials
- Any two different types of fabrics
- Quilt batting
- Thread to match
Fabric Recommendations
How To Make Reversible Quilted Fabric
I've made a video showing how I make the reversible quilted fabric and have also written out the instructions below.
- Cut out both fabrics bigger than your finished project – there will be some shrinkage of the fabrics during the quilting process.
- Cut out batting the same size as your fabrics.
- Mark your quilting lines using a disappearing fabric marker on the right side of one of the fabrics. You could also use the width of your sewing machine foot as a guide for making your stitch lines.
- Pin all three layers together so that they won't shift during the quilting process.
- Starting in the center of the fabric, sew your first quilting line.
- Sew all of the lines from the center out on both sides of the centerline.
- Turn fabric opposite direction and repeat steps 5 and 6.
Your fabrics are now quilted, and you can use them to sew some great projects!
Here's another fun project that I've made using this quilting method – a reversible placemat.
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Hi! I'm Jann Newton, and I blog about home decor, sewing tutorials and DIY projects at Newton Custom Interiors.
Recently, I was asked to teach a class for Craftsy - Custom Bedding - Decorative Shams & Bolsters. So Sew Easy readers enjoy a discount on my class!
I also used a wavy line pattern, that is a built in stitch in my machine. It came out fabulous, and no worries if it was not perfectly spaced
I have been using the commercial double sided quilted fabrics for years to make totes and garment bags that I also embroider for my daughters’ service organization. I have definately noticed the quality of this product has lowered over the years and the waste on each side increasing. I actually had to make my own quilted fabric for the lower part of a special request bag last week and if I may say it turned out just great! If you have a walking foot, I would definately suggest using it because there can be shifting if you are doing large pieces. A full length garment bag takes almost 4 yards and you do not want wrinkles in the middle of your project!!
Thank you for posting all your tips and hints, even the old dog learns new tricks!!
great idea and tutorial. I feel that the quality is better when I make my own. It seems that the pre-quilted fabrics use a lower quality of fabrics and batting. There is also an attachment for most sewing machines that you can set for a specific distance. You just mark and sew the first line and use the guide for the rest of the lines. I have attractive results with using crooked lines unevenly spaced. It saves the most time and fits well with a more rustic style.
Agree with Karen Boyd!
I dont want to ruin my fabric with marker. what would you recommend using to help guide my lines?
Hi Liz, there are some alternative methods for marking fabric other than markers. You can read all about them here.
Liz, the marker I used is a special fabric marker. The ink disappears with time, or you can make it disappear faster by dabbing it with a damp cloth.
Painter’s tape. It’s 1 inch wide (almost), so you can sew on both sides of one piece before you move it to next location. I use the same piece of tape until it no longer sticks.
I would add some advice, having recently made my own quilted fabric for a purse. The only batting I had on hand was the Warm and Natural I use for my quilt batting. The finished purse (actually a little backpack) looks great, but I had to take it to a tailor shop to sew one seam because my machine would not sew through 4 layers of fabric and two layers of batting. I would advise you, if making a purse, to use a thinner (maybe polyester) batting.
Judy, good advice! Probably a good idea to use a thinner polyester batting, warm and natural is a bit thicker.
I cut the batting smaller all round so the seam allowance is just the 4 layers of fabric. Also helpful when sewing bias binding on the edge.