Thread: Backing

Originally Posted by happyquiltmom

It depends. I just finished a charity kids quilt with muslin on the back, simply for the cost savings.

I often will use fabric from the sale rack at our LQS (still excellent quality) that doesn't necessarily match perfectly, but blends or adds interest.

If it is an heirloom quality quilt, I will use a print of one of the fabrics used in the quilt top.

I've also been known to piece my backs. I even have a reversible quilt, made from the same blocks on the front and back!

i second this advice

Originally Posted by happyquiltmom

It depends. I just finished a charity kids quilt with muslin on the back, simply for the cost savings.

I often will use fabric from the sale rack at our LQS (still excellent quality) that doesn't necessarily match perfectly, but blends or adds interest.

If it is an heirloom quality quilt, I will use a print of one of the fabrics used in the quilt top.

I've also been known to piece my backs. I even have a reversible quilt, made from the same blocks on the front and back!

what happyquiltmom says except I try to do a simple 9-patch alternating the colored squares with fabrics and colors from the quilt top all the time...I tend to do only traditional patterns and love the idea of a pieced back. It works in most instances. I am finishing a wedding quilt for my niece which will be a departure from my usual
practice because the top is an Irish chain with alternating 8-inch plain squares I will be filling with quilting designs. I didn't think the quilting would work well from both sides, so I am finishing the back with $100 worth of the light background fabric from the front--only because of the quilting issues and then because it's a special-occasion quilt. I love muslin, too, so don't hesitate to use it for the piecing of my 9-patch quilt backs.

I usually use a print that coordinates with the top.

When I first started quilting I thought all backs had to be solid color (think I based that on what my grandmother did). So I bought a lot of Kona cotton solids. Didn't take me long to realize I like to coordinate the back to the front. So my suggestion would be put on the back what you think would work the best (muslin, print, or whatever). Then only purchase backings as you complete your first few quilts and I think you'll see your opinion and taste change as you grow more confident with your fabric choices, colors, and patterns. The last few months I've actually had the backing picked out before I've gotten all the fabrics for the front. It's always fun for me to have the back be kind of a surprise for someone when they look and discover there's more than just the front to a quilt.

I've actually never used muslin on the back of a quilt, although I have used it on the front and I do think it can be a nice backing, depending on the quilt. On scrappy quilts I often try to use up the leftovers from the front. I very seldom buy a fabric just for the back, but when I find fabric that I really like at a REALLY good price I buy a bunch of it and put it aside for backings. One thing to think about is that your quilting stitches show a lot more on a solid back. If you want to hide them, use a print; to highlight them, use a solid.