Thread: backing fabric

I have always used wide backing fabric not muslin, usually I buy Kona or the pretty backing fabrics. However, if I'm making the quilt for a child or someone who likes scrappy then that's the backing they get. I was taught never to use sheets but now that is acceptable.

When I have a quilt custom quilted, I use a wide backing of a solid or near solid color. The back of the quilt looks like a whole cloth quilt.

I do both as well. And many times I will do a completely pieced back (basically a double sided quilt) with leftovers from the front, supplemented by stash. However, given a choice, I really like the convenience of wide backing. And it really is not more expensive. Most the time I can find it on sale for around $10 Per yard. When I go to Mennonite shops I have picked up wide muslin for $6. But even at full price it is usually more cost effective to buy the wide back.

For example, A Queen size quilt measuring 90 x 100 would require a minimum purchase of 6.75 yards of 44" wide fabric at $7 per yard. This is assuming 3 seams and also assuming the WOF is really 44". I am seeing more and more fabric measuring at 42" or less in width once you cut selvage off. At $7 per yard it will run you $47 (rounding to nearest whole dollar). We are not taking into account your time and effort to cut it down as needed and sew it back together. You will need even more if you are sending to a LAQ who needs extra backing to attach to leaders.

However, you would only have to buy 2.75 yards of wide back at $15 per yard so the cost is $41.25 and you will have enough left over to make binding and add to stash and the added bonus of not having to cut it or seam it. AND the extra length is already there for a LAQ but you might need to buy more for the width to adjust side clamps so even if you upped to 3 yards it still comes to a tiny bit less ($45) than the standard width stuff.

Usually when I make a quilt I buy flannel to match the front and I don't buy it until the quilt is finished. I have bought the extra wide fabric and it is a lot more difficult to iron, even with my wide ironing board.

I love to come up with a design for the back myself, so mostly will use leftover fabric from the top. If there is something that has a nice big print, will often use that for the back if I don't have a good idea, or no leftovers. I've never bought backing fabric.

But only muslin comes in wide widths, right? Along with fleece and utility fabrics, of course. So are you talking about plain muslin, or is there wide fabric that's got a print on it?

Originally Posted by kellyer21

But only muslin comes in wide widths, right? Along with fleece and utility fabrics, of course. So are you talking about plain muslin, or is there wide fabric that's got a print on it?

No, there are other widebacks--flannel, sateen and other cottons. When long arming I prefer a wideback as you don't worry about front/back seams causing a bump in the machine tracking. Plus the wideback, once squared, stays that way on the frame and lays smoothly. And the cost is about the same, or even less, than using LQS fabrics pieced.
As with ALL backings, widebacks need to be squared up before quilting. And some, especially the thinner muslins or flannels, should be washed before use due to shrinkage. One complaint with piecing backs I've run into, is that it seems that quilters sometimes piece together a "hodge-podge" of left over fabrics--many these are not squared up and sometimes have the cross and long straight of grain mixed, so that the stretch that occurs while on the long arm (or even under the DMS foot) can leave pucker possibilities. The only backs that I've had pucker/tuck problems with have been pieced with these issues. So if you are going to piece chunks of fabric together, I'd suggest that you be sure to square the pieces as you cut, to seam with the grain matching (cross OR length-wise) and remember that your backing acts like the foundation on a building--if it's not "solid" the top will be distorted.