Finishing your quilt includes choosing the appropriate quilt backing. There are many options for making quilt backing including piecing your quilt backs, using extra wide quilt backing fabric, or making quilt backing that is as gorgeous as your quilt.
In this post, I will discuss the various ways you can create your quilt backing to make your quilts look unique!
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Typical Quilt Backing
Typical quilt backing is pieced using a coordinating fabric. This is the traditional method of creating quilt backs. Because quilt fabric is not wide enough to fit most bed quilt sizes, it is necessary to piece the back. In this method, coordinating fabric is purchased in a sufficient amount to create a quilt backing large enough to fit the bed size.
The quilt backs are then pieced as follows:
Using Extra Wide Fabric
Many quilt fabric stores sell extra wide fabric that usually comes 108 inches wide which is enough to cover most quilt backs. Although the ability to not have to piece is convenient, the choices of fabric are limited.
Generally, the cost of using extra wide fabric is much less. Although the fabric price is more per yard, you will require much less yardage.
Use this quilt backing fabric calculator to determine how many yards you need for backing your quilt! Approximate quilt sizes and backing amounts are included in the chart. You can also calculate your own custom quilt size by measuring your mattress and adding how much overhang you want on the left, right, and bottom of the mattress measurement. Don’t forget to allow for shrinkage when purchasing backing fabric, and always pre-wash your fabrics before quilting. UPLOADED FROM FABRIC.COM
You can get the Extra Wide Fabric online in the following stores:
Get Creative!
If you are taking the time to make a beautiful quilt top,you may want to be creative with the quilt backing. Here are a few creative suggestions:
Reversible Quilt
Make a second quilt top. Create an exciting design on the front side and a completely different design on the back side.
Personalize it
Make the quilt special by adding a name or special saying, and always be sure to add your quilt label.
Photo courtesy of Moda Bake Shop
This would be so unique with baby’s name!
Pattern is available in a free e-book available from Fave Quilts
Use simple geometric piecing.
Victoria Quilt Designs has quite a few different options to consider. Find more on their website
Use different fabric choices
Although cotton backing is the most popular, I regularly use minky or flannel especially for baby quilts. You can also use fleece, denim, double gauze or cotton sateen.
Here I used minky on this simple baby quilt. And don’t forget to add your label.
Some quilters use sheets to create their quilt backs while others cringe at the thought. Cotton used in quilting has a very different thread count than bed sheets it makes it more difficult for a needle to pierce the sheet without tearing the fibers. In addition, the sheet may shrink at a different rate than the quilting fabric.
And don’t forget about color. You can make it matchy or use a totally different color scheme. For ideas on choosing colors, check out my previous blog CHOOSING THE RIGHT FABRIC TO MAKE YOUR QUILT STUNNING You can also find more on my Pinterest Board “Quilt Colors“
I hope you get creative with your quilt backs. I look forward to seeing your pics in the comment section!
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You’ve got some great ideas here, it’s worth doing something a bit out of the ordinary sometimes, isn’t it?
I like the decorative backings better than the idea of purchasing extra wide fabric (I didn’t know it existed! Today I learned something 🙂 ) Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty. We’ve just started a Facebook group called Creatively Crafty Showcase and you’re invited to join us! It’s another way to share this post and just about anything creative plus we’ll have opportunities to interact/support each other. You’ll find us here http://bit.ly/2TL8Pli. Hope to see you soon!
Thanks so much for the invite. See you there!