Christmas means "minkee" backs!

After a whirlwind of Christmas celebrations with extended family, our kids and grandkids, we are settled in, peacefully, watching our last Christmas movie--and I can now show you what I've been up to for the last 2 months!

I decided to allow myself time this year to actually work on family gifts and regain some sanity, so from Nov. 6 on, no customer quilts were accepted until Jan. 2. That gave me time to piece and quilt these 4 quilts for my two kids and their spouses. I have a "minkee" type backed throw on my sofa that I often get "could I have this? it's so soft!" comments from them so made each a throw with a minkee type backing.

For those of you that have wondered if this type of backing "works" the answer is YES! Now, I don't know about quilting on your domestic, although have heard from others that it works if well basted (most prefer spray basting--just watch those fumes). It works great on the long arm machine IF you choose your "minkee" back wisely. By that I mean so that it only stretches in ONE direction. Long arm quilters can load it so that the stretch is side-to-side, and then be careful not to pull the side clamps too much, and there are no problems at all. So don't hesitate to try it out either yourself or with your long arm quilter-just beware that picking out stitches is a chore since they will hide in that nap!

Daughter's made from ColorWorks panels (2) and borders to represent Nepali prayer flags since she just returned.