fayeberry

I have completed a quilt top entirely from fabrics I was given and had on hand - just a simple 4 patch. I still have a good bit of these fabrics left and want to piece a back. Does anyone have any good tips on the best way to go about this? There are a few width of fabric pieces and random sizes of other pieces. I am thinking of sewing the big pieces together first and then add on until the back is big enough. It has been long time goal of mine to make a quilt without buying anything but batting and thread.
I do have a back up plan - a giant piece of muslin I've been saving for a rainy day. But I'm saving it!

bearisgray

How about making blocks of the small pieces and alternate them with larger pieces?

fayeberry

Good idea, thanks!

dunster

Just start sewing. This is the back of a quilt I made from scraps. I decided on a block size and then cut scraps into pieces that would fit.

Jeanne S

The back can be free form. I would divide it into thirds. Sew the smaller pieces together into 4 patches into a piece that is about 1/3 of your quilt. fit the larger scraps together to make the 2 remaining thirds, and sew them to both sides of the 4 patch back unit.

fayeberry

Dunster, your back is very nice. Thank you everyone for the ideas. Mine is looking pretty hodge podge right now, but oh well, it's the back. Maybe finish it tomorrow. Now for the binding, this is going to be a challenge, too......

tesspug

I make two strips of extra fabric, one the length and two which equal the width I need but are not the same. Then I use the larger pieces of fabric to fill in the four quadrants. The strips don't run up the middle of the quilt but are off set. Sometimes the strips are made of blocks that match the front and sometimes they're are just a random placement.

Nechama117

[ATTACH=CONFIG]549392[/ATTACH] This is a pieced backing. I started with the pinwheel, if I remember correctly, and worked in pieces all around. It was a bit of work, but I used up pieces I had, and was pleased with the modern look of this back, the front looks more traditional. I wasn't able to get the front to post. I like the look of what people come up with for the backs.

gingerd

I lay the fabrics out on the floor. Then I figure out what I like and sew and sew until it's large enough to be quilted. I don't worry about anything being centered on the back.

My girlfriend always tells me that my backs are a surprise to anyone who gets one of my quilts.

annt59

Go to Craftsy.com. Check free classes for Creative Quilt Backings under classes.