I’ve not worked with polyester fleece (that I know of), but my first question would be is this stuff going to creep when you try to stitch it to the cotton tops? If the answer is yes, I would probably tie the quilt by hand rather than quilt the two layers together sewing on your machine. I’d use 2 or 3 strands of DMC embroidery floss or 1 strand of Sulky 12 wt thread. Depending on the size of your string quilt blocks, I would put a tie in the middle of each block and then a tie in each corner? I’d have to know the blocks size. Or simply put a tie every 4 to 5-inches, no matter where they end up. String scrappy quilts lend themselves to tying.....IMO. And, yes, you could “birth” the quilt back and top after they are sewn together, then tie the two together. Depending on your machine, you may have a stitch setting suitable for tying a quilt together.

Teresa

I can’t be much help, Rita, because I’ve never quilted on fleece, but minky is 100% polyester, and I’ve never washed it before I sewed with it. I’ve never changed thread, needle or tension either.

Sorry, never tried fleece. I'm thinking of using the minky but had questions for that as well.

I've heard of quilters who say that they have trouble with minky creeping, but I have used it on many quilts with no problem. I do, however, glue baste my quilts, and I am sure that helps prevent it. I did have trouble with one minky product that I got from JoAnn Fabrics. It was dimpled, and Elmer's School Glue would not stick to it. I had to use 505 Spray and Fix. I used only Shannon Cuddle from then on.

Rita, another thought. Did you use a lot of white/light fabrics in your strings? Will the black backing show through without batting?

I've used fleece for backings many times. It depends on the type of fleece....some are flimsy and stretchy and aren't easy to work with...you can tell just by the feel. I don't use heavy very often.....needs less pressure foot tension and longer stitch. I prefer the regular weight and have no problem with birthing and then quilting.......with a longer stitch....whatever works and looks good to you. I don't change needles or make any other changes, just the stitch length. Have fun.

What is "birthing"?

Bev, it's when you put the quilt top and back right sides together and stitch around the outside edges, leaving an opening to turn it right side out. After you turn it you sew the opening closed and quilt it to hold the layers together. It finishes the edge without needing a binding.

Donna

I've used fleece several times. Like Sharon said, longer stitches, and not a lot of quilting required.