Kelly Cuddle 3 Extra Wide Solid Minky Fabric is a smooth, plush 100% polyester minky from Shannon Fabrics in a bold kelly green, made 90 inches wide so you can back most quilts in one seamless piece. It is best for cozy quilt backings, oversized throw blankets, and other projects where softness and easy, seam-free coverage matter most.
What Is Kelly Cuddle 3 Extra Wide Minky Fabric?
Cuddle 3 is Shannon Fabrics' classic smooth minky plush — the irresistibly soft fabric quilters reach for when the back of the quilt needs to feel as good as the front looks. This extra-wide version gives you that same smooth 100% polyester Cuddle 3, just wider: at 90 inches wide, a single cut covers most throw, twin, and even many larger quilts without piecing a backing seam down the middle.
The color here is Kelly, a vivid, cheerful green that makes a statement the moment the quilt is flipped over. Because it is a solid, it pairs with almost any quilt top — it can echo a green in a busy print, anchor bright modern piecing, or stand on its own as the star of a whole-cloth blanket. It is sold by the yard, so you can buy exactly the length your project needs.
The extra width is useful well beyond quilts, too: the same seamless coverage works for tablecloths, curtains, and larger-than-life super cozy throw blankets.
How to Use It
Cutting: Mark your cutting lines on the smooth back rather than the plush side, and cut one layer at a time with a rotary cutter or sharp scissors. Minky sheds fluffy fibers along freshly cut edges, so shake each piece over a trash can and keep a lint roller handy. Before you cut, check the nap — run your hand down the pile, note which direction feels smooth, and keep it running that way across the whole project.
Sewing: Minky has some stretch and likes to creep under the presser foot, so use a walking foot, lengthen your stitch slightly, and pin or clip generously along seams. When you are using it as a quilt backing, baste the quilt sandwich thoroughly — spray baste or plenty of pins — so the plush layer stays put while you quilt. A ballpoint or stretch needle is a good match for the polyester knit.
Pairing tips: Let the kelly green do the talking on the back and keep the top in quilting cottons that let it pop — crisp whites, navy, and black-and-white prints all sit beautifully against a bold green. For a blanket with plush on both sides, pair it with a printed Cuddle on the front and this solid on the back, keeping the nap running the same direction on both layers.
A Project to Try
Make a seamless whole-cloth throw that takes full advantage of the 90-inch width. Cut one piece of Kelly Cuddle 3 to about 60 by 72 inches, and cut a favorite quilting cotton the same size. Place the layers right sides together, clip all the way around, and sew the edges with a walking foot, leaving a small gap for turning. Turn it right side out and topstitch around all four edges, closing the gap as you go. You get a crisp cotton front, a cloud-soft green back, and not a single backing seam — finished in an afternoon.
Care and Handling
Care is simple and comes straight from the maker: machine wash cold and tumble dry low. Keeping the heat low protects the polyester pile, so your backing stays smooth and plush instead of going flat over time. Store finished quilts loosely folded so the pile is not crushed flat in the closet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does minky fabric fray?
No — minky is a knit polyester, so cut edges do not fray like woven cotton. They do shed fluffy fibers when first cut, but a quick shake handles most of it, and the edges stay stable in seams.
How much do I need to back a throw quilt?
For a typical throw around 60 by 72 inches, about 2 yards works well: the 90-inch width covers the 60-inch side with room to spare, and 2 yards gives you 72 inches of length. Add a few extra inches if your longarmer asks for overage.
Can I use Cuddle 3 as a quilt backing on a longarm?
Yes — extra-wide minky is a favorite longarm backing because there is no center seam to work around. Just load it with the stretch running across the frame rather than along the length, and avoid over-stretching it as you roll.
Shop the Kelly Cuddle 3 Extra Wide Solid Minky Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
