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Thread: Backing

  1. #1
    aggiequilter's Avatar aggiequilter is offline Senior Member
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    Default Backing

    I am planning my next quilt, but it's wider than 44 inches. How do you create a backing for larger quilts? Do you always have to buy the 108 in fabrics?

  2. #2
    Judy~Ann's Avatar Judy~Ann is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Backing

    No, you don't have to buy the 109" fabric, Aggie.
    I normally use 44" wide fabric and piece it. Sometimes I use left over fabric from the quilt top and other times I buy a complimentary fabric. I'm sure other quilters have advice too.
    ~ Judy

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  3. #3
    brook's Avatar brook is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Backing

    It seems that I always make quilts bigger than the 44" width. It use to frustrate me but I think I have grown to accept the matter. If the quilt is under 80 inches, I measure the width and double it. Sew those together and put the seam line horizontal to the width of quilt. This will cover the length. If the quilt is bigger, I measure the length and buy enough fabric to cover it lengthwise. Hope this helps. : )
    Coleen

    "I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good I can do, or any kindness I can show, let me do now, for I will not pass through this way again."

  4. #4
    Granny Judy's Avatar Granny Judy is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Backing

    I've been known to use fat quarters, sewn together.. And often a quilt I make will have left over blocks, strips and binding.. It's all in what works and uses up the least amount of fabric/money.

  5. #5
    scraps.galore is offline Junior Member
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    Default Re: Backing

    An alternative is to watch bargain stores for cotton sheets. Sometimes you can find them for less than yardage prices. I have a couple that I found still new in the packages at old estate sales and thrift stores. Wash them very well, iron and they make wonderful backing with a feel that modern fabrics just can't compare to (IMHO).

    If I'm using regular yardage, I have always placed a full width in the middle (selvages removed) with half a width added to each side of that, for the whole length of the quilt. This places the seams to the sides of the quilt instead of straight down the middle. They seem to present better that way when completed and they also seem to wear better over time.

  6. #6
    mamaquilt's Avatar mamaquilt is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Backing

    As I'm sort of a recycler and scrapper, I use bed sheets quite a lot. Used ones as well as new ones, flanell as well as cotton. That works lovely and sometimes I also piece a backing from old shirts (backs only).
    Maybe you find some sheets or blankets in your home or ask neighbours or family for them. Once I started doing that, they'll bring them now by themselves and I always have a nice choice in my stash now.
    Think green!!!
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    Michèle

  7. #7
    alwaysinmyroom's Avatar alwaysinmyroom is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Backing

    I love trying different backing designs.

    My favorite is to use leftover blocks and create an insert in a solid type backing.

    If the backing is a print, I like to take three different ones and piece them together.

    There are some fabrics that run 60" wide...like some flannels or fleece and even some solids (muslin is great and you can dye it!).

    I experimented and dyed muslin using various vegetables and plants and loved the colors for quilt backings.

    The possibilities are endless!

    Have fun!

  8. #8
    CrazyMtnLady's Avatar CrazyMtnLady is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Backing

    I like using bed sheets also. And these days they come in so many different prints and colors there is sure to be one that is just right for whatever project I am working on. And if I am making a baby/child's quilt sometimes I can get 4 backs out of a queen/king size sheet.
    Donna
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  9. #9
    aggiequilter's Avatar aggiequilter is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Backing

    I never thought of using sheets, that's a great idea! Thanks for the help!

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