That sounds like a wonderful way to solve this problem. I took the easy way out, however. Made a traditional quilt and then just did a totally fleece blanket. They both turned out well and I probably was able to get the two of them done in the same time that struggling with just one would have taken.

R.

Just another thought: I've used cotton tops and fleece backings successfully using "quilt as you go" technique. I cut the fleece backing to desired finished size plus an allowance for binding. I then stitch the cotton strips on as desired, often in a simple log cabin or crazy quilt pattern. The "quilt as you go" technique minimizes the amount of fleece I'm trying to keep smooth at any one time. When the pattern is complete, the extra allowance for binding is then pulled to the front and stitched for a quick, easy quilt.

I donate these quilts and don't know the final recipient. Some charities are concerned about potential safety hazards of tied quilts becoming untied; e.g., loose threads and young children.

Good luck.

Based on all the suggestions I got from TQS members and a little experimenting on my own, I decided to give up on the idea of backing a regular quilt with fleece. The problems were many and, frankly, my frustration level was just getting too high! The quilt is done, with cotton all around. The compromise was that I made a fleece blanket that turned out just fine (the no-sew, just tie knots kind).
I guess there are just some things that sound good in your hear but just can't work out well enough in practice. Another lesson learned.

I have decided to use flannel for the batting and backing, just one layer instead of two! The front is pieced, I was going to quilt it, but have spent 2+ hours trying to get the front on smoothly, seems ok, but when you turn it over the flannel has bumps in it. It grips the top so will be good when you quilt, but it has to be smooth beforehand! HELP!!! plus, would it be better to tie rather than quilt, will it not ruffle underneath even with a walking foot????? Always seems a good idea until you start these things.
Lynn in very warm and wet UK

Another thought just occurred to me - can I use an iron-on fusible interfacing to keep the fleece from stretching?
Robin

The fleece was for the back, huh? I get confused so easily these days...

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to go out tomorrow and buy the fleece fabric. Even if I end up not using it to back the quilt, I can always make one of those fleece blankets, where you just fringe the edges and knot the fringes together. A first grandchild can't have too many blankets, right?
I will definitely use basting spray and I have a Super Slider, so that may make quilting a little easier.
Maybe the pieced one will be for "good" occasions and the fleece one for spitting up on, etc.

Large quilting stitches so if you have to take out--but they don't show on the fleece that much and it is a baby quilt so I wouldn't worry about taking out. The only thing that might give you fits is stretching but I use the spray adhesive and then really don't have too much trouble with that--especially if I use a walking foot. I don't use any batting or flannel in-between.

Binky's! I call that style of blanket a binky....cotton or flannel on the top and fleece on the back. They go over well with any age. I usually tie them with fun pearl cottons or ribbons.
An idea for the binding is to use fleece strips. Since fleece doesn't unravel or fray, all you need to do is pin the binding (single layer) on in one step (front and back pinned through together) and sew through.
Makes for a nice soft binding.

Oh dear! And I assumed her top was pieced and the fleece was for the back...

I don't have a clue about piecing fleece or anything else with cotton.

Maybe I'll just go back to lurking again for a while...

Opps! My bad, sorry. I had just been quilting and it was on my mind...

While quilting the project, the flannel back did not let the quilt slide well on my table surface. The sandwich stayed together and didn't get distorted, but I had more trouble moving the quilt through and around my machine.

I was hoping that fleece would slide better on top of Robin's table while she was quilting it than the flannel did for me.

I often use fleece for the backing on quilts. I don't use any batting, but do use binding. The weight is great for lap robes! Betty D

I am late to this party. But I have used fleece for backing for lap quilts...the quilts don't slide off the lap.

I have never had a problem using fleece as a backing.

FW

I recently made a purse using cotton for the exterior and lining, with flannel in between to give it some weight. I used a featherweight fusible interfacing to attach the flannel interlining. It is not stiff at all. So, I think you could use a featherweight fusible to prevent slippage and sliding, when that's a problem.