What type of fabric do you use for your quilt backs?

So far I've always used wide back quilt fabric, but the prices are going up. The least expensive I can find is at fabric.com, and that is still about $9.00 per yard. I need at least 3 yards for a queen quilt, so that is getting pricey. I do like to have the pretty backing though. I usually buy a scrollwork muted pattern in a color that compliments the quilt top.

So, what do you all use for your backings? Do you piece fabric from your stash? Or do you use muslin? (even that is about $8 - $9 per yard for the 110 inch wide).

I normally get the wide backings. Even at $9.00 to $12.00 per yard it's cheaper than buying 45" decent quality cotton and piecing the backs. Sometimes I'll get the 110" muslin at Joann's with a coupon, mostly for everyday use quilts.

Lately I buy the 108" backing fabric because our little fabric store here in town has them for $6-$8 per yard. They don't get a large assortment to choose from, but they are good quality and when they have something I like I will buy two 3-yd cuts and stash it away for future use. Other than that I buy coordinating fabric and piece my backs. If I think things through before I make the quilt top I will try to find a fabric for backing that I can also incorporate into a few blocks or borders of the quilt. I don't mind mixing things up a bit!

I think anything you use for backing is pricey. You need 6-9 yards of 45" fabric to back something the same size as 3yards of 110" wide muslin. At $5 per yard that is more expensive. It is best, I think to figure that cost in while planning to make your quilt. You can make the top out of scraps, but then how are you going to back it? Yo've got to consider this in the planning. If I find bolts of potential backings on sale, I pick them up. My issue is finding bolts on sale that have enough yardage to be big enough for a quilt back. That Ben Franklin store I found last week had two bolts of fabric at $3.95 per yard of great backing fabrics. I was happy to find it.

Well,,, i'm the odd ball.... you may have noticed that a lot of my quilt back are "pieced"... i saw it done once and i'm hooked... even use up extra blocks this way.... Suffice to say, i'm a bit bohemian.. and always dance to the different drummer... LOL
Another cheat i do,,, (please don't judge...heheheh).... most of my quilts are for fun and spontaneous gifts... (you like that.... it's yours)..... so i sometimes use "sheets" for my backings... they work for what i need...EVERYTHING i make is to be "used and used up"... so it works for me... just wanted to share this idea incase there are any other.... "crazy ladies like me out there"....

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Originally Posted by GrammaBabs

Well,,, i'm the odd ball.... you may have noticed that a lot of my quilt back are "pieced"... i saw it done once and i'm hooked... even use up extra blocks this way.... Suffice to say, i'm a bit bohemian.. and always dance to the different drummer... LOL
Another cheat i do,,, (please don't judge...heheheh).... most of my quilts are for fun and spontaneous gifts... (you like that.... it's yours)..... so i sometimes use "sheets" for my backings... they work for what i need...EVERYTHING i make is to be "used and used up"... so it works for me... just wanted to share this idea incase there are any other.... "crazy ladies like me out there"....

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I make stuff to be used to - I don't want to give something away and have it stored away. I'll post a pic of the table runner when I get it finished....it's bright LOL. I'm a lot like you if someone comes in and falls in love with it I'll give it to them right off my table. My grandma used to use those thin flannel blankets (the ones from the 50's & 60's for backings) and she always tied her quilts.

I have used everything from matching fabric to leftovers pieced together. I broke down and bought a sheet at wallieworld to go on the back of one that I was giving to my son for Christmas. I was out of money and the fabric store is 30 miles away, sheet was 12 dollars, gas and fabric would have been close to 60... you do the math! I just did a baby quilt and used Mickie.. I'm in love with Mickie!! it worked up great and was very easy to sew on. Holds the batting and in turn the batting held the top so everything was nice and flat and very very warm!

I just was browsing Connecting Threads website and they have some very nice prints for under $3 a yard. They would be perfect for quilt backings.

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Originally Posted by Jean Sewing Machine

I just was browsing Connecting Threads website and they have some very nice prints for under $3 a yard. They would be perfect for quilt backings.

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I just got my first order from them...so far I love the thread. I got some cream colored fabric from them but haven't checked it out yet.

I usually buy 108" backing at Joann's with a coupon. They don't have a big selection but with the coupon I pay 4.99 a yard. I even found 108" flannel for my son's quilt which will make it nice and cozy. I just make sure I only buy when it is not on sale and I have a coupon. much cheaper.

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!

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Originally Posted by GrammaBabs

Well,,, i'm the odd ball.... you may have noticed that a lot of my quilt back are "pieced"... i saw it done once and i'm hooked... even use up extra blocks this way.... Suffice to say, i'm a bit bohemian.. and always dance to the different drummer... LOL
Another cheat i do,,, (please don't judge...heheheh).... most of my quilts are for fun and spontaneous gifts... (you like that.... it's yours)..... so i sometimes use "sheets" for my backings... they work for what i need...EVERYTHING i make is to be "used and used up"... so it works for me... just wanted to share this idea incase there are any other.... "crazy ladies like me out there"....

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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!!!!!

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.

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Originally Posted by ShirleyPickett

I just got my first order from them...so far I love the thread. I got some cream colored fabric from them but haven't checked it out yet.

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I use Connecting Threads all of the time, especially for backing. They usually have some fabric for $2-$3 per yard on sale or in clearance that work great. At those prices, I usually only pay about $20 or less for backs. I have never gotten any fabric from then that I didn't like or that wasn't as soft and as nice as I buy in the local quilt shops.

Now Jean... your not helping MY "diet" either.... we glas do love to "browse"...I figure it's saving wear and tear and gas for the car... hehehehhe
I still have a BOX of fabric i bought from the clearance page... it was amazing what i got for 50.00!!!! So now i'm hooked about going over there every once in a while...
Ok,,, now get up bj and go make those HST's for the Jacobs Ladder...:)

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Originally Posted by Jean Sewing Machine

I just was browsing Connecting Threads website and they have some very nice prints for under $3 a yard. They would be perfect for quilt backings.

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I have used cotton mattress pads, quilted bedspreads that were used. They work great. I have used Flannel also, but the Flannel does pucker. Needless to say, all these were disinfected and washed, and were donated by my own family. I can't afford the quilted muslin at todays prices.