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I'm in the process of finishing a D9P for my granddaughter and I'm using flannel for the backing. I bought 4 yards of it about a month ago because it was on sale for $3 per metre. With the extra fabric I will make pajamas for my 2 year old granddaughter for next winter.
I, like grandmababbs use sheets. sometimes fleece and if it is a baby quilt even a throw that might go with it.
Gail I will use wide backing IF on sale but normally I go to my local thrift shop and by good quality sheets cotton or flannel depending on what I am doing and use them. Have had good success so far! I got a really nice excellent quality queen for $2.00!
i was going to do a post on here yesterday asking if anyone might do that.....I have ALOT OF top sheets from my sheet sets i don't EVER use taking up space.....and thought it might work but wasn't for sure... GLAD TO HEAR YOU DO....so now i can!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by GrammaBabs
I'm like Grammababs I make everything to be used. I have some stash but otherwise I buy a coordinating print or coordinating solid. I have been trying to piece backs as well. Sometimes I plan for them and buy extra fabric. Bottom line no matter how you do it it's an investment and takes up a lot of fabric. I try to keep what I make to lap or twin size for this reason as well. Reading this thread I'll look at quilt backings because I haven't thus far, so thanks!!
I use Kona for my backing, but I wait until JoAnn's has a 50% off coupon and then I buy a bolt of it. Saves a lot of money!
The great thing about quilting is that it can be what you want or need it to be.....you can invest your time in heirloom pieces while other quilters (like Babs) love to make lots of projects that she can give away and share. Some of us love precision and don't mind the time investment to complete a project, while others of us want quick-finish projects. Some of us are traditional and others of us are Bohemian artists with a slightly different vision for their work....it's all GOOD!!!! Enjoy your creativity and always remember there are NO QUILT POLICE AROUND HERE!
I've never used sheets, Babs, but that's an excellent idea. Someone on here said they pick them up at Goodwill or other shops selling used items. If you hit a sale at housewares stores I'm sure it's pretty reasonable to go that route. I'm very lucky to have a fabric warehouse about 20 min. from my house in California. They have tons and tons of fabrics for under $3/yard. That's usually what I'm using for backs. It's pretty simple to piece backs and if using prints the seams are barely noticeable after quilting. Besides, who spends much time looking at the back? I very rarely use solids on the back of a quilt. I like designs so much. That's what I get for backing almost 100% of the time. I haven't used blocks yet but I think that's so fun to do that. Babs, I'm sure you and I would've been good buddies back in the 70's! I was definitely in hippie mode but only up to a certain point. Hahahaha!!!
My mom just gave me 10 queen size sheets...I have never used them for backing before, but the fabric is so nice and large with no worn spots (they came from a guest bed that is no longer being used)...I mostly piece my backs using one of the front fabrics, but you all are so right---fabric is getting very expensive!
I always want my quilts to be reversible, so I try to use coordinating fabrics to what is pieced on the front. But, I'm a thrifty shopper, so if I buy the fabric at a shop for the front, I'll get online and look for the backing fabric at a discounted price. I can usually find coordinating fabric at least 40-50% off. I may have to wait a while for it, but unless there's a deadline on a quilt, I don't mind.