VW Camper Van Quilt - Longarm quilting with Cuddlesoft / Minky

Mk1 VW Camper Van Quilt

This VW Camper Van quilt was a fun quilt to do.  It was made as a gift for a VW Camper loving teenager, so I imagine it is going to get some heavy use on camping trips.


Camper Van fabric designed by Victoria Louise, Craft Cotton

The main camper van fabric is  designed by Victoria Louise for Craft Cotton and using the Mk 1 VW camper van motifs on the fabric a larger applique pattern had been designed to add a focus to the quilt.


Double-sided Cuddlesoft fabric

On the back of the quilt was a double sided cuddlesoft / minky fabric.  Oh boy! This was one of the best quality fur fabrics I have ever felt.  The double-sided cuddlesoft gave it a wonderful depth of softness, which might have been enough for the quilt, but on this occasion we decided to put a lightweight polyester wadding between the top and the back to make it more substantial - after all it was for a teenager. An alternative may have been to add layer of cotton flannel instead of the wadding.  This provides a foundation layer to a pieced front and a knitted backing and is soft enough to keep the cuddly character of the cuddlesoft fabric.  But as with all quilts, it depends on its future use and the clients preferences.

Double-sided Cuddlesoft fabric

Anyway, this fabric was great before it was quilted, but once it was on the longarm machine it was transformed (Pattern: 'Ginger Flowers by Hermione Agee).  It felt great and looked amazing. It really showcased the quilting pattern, adding interest to the back without dominating the camper van theme on the front.

Mk1 VW Camper Van Quilt

As Cuddlesoft / Minky is essentially a knitted fabric it does have a bit of a one-way stretch in it and this was something that had to be given careful consideration when mounting it onto the longarm quilting frame.  Also when it was stitched, the pile from the cuddlesoft did sometimes pop through to the front, so the colour combination may also be something to consider if choosing it for backing your quilt.  I would imagine that this would subside with use and a wash.