Backing.....what do you do .....???
 

ok....so I have been sewing, piecing and quilting for ever.....
was working on 'sandwiching' a lap quilt today and wondering......what do you consider a 'general rule'
for backing fabric....
Print or solid.....
seam down seam across.....
cut off salvage edge ????
match bobbin thread to backing color or.....
match bobbin thread to top thread so it doesn't show on top ?????

This is my rules:
If the selvage won't show through, I will leave it in and do 1/2" seam. Selvage edges don't ravel.
I personally don't think the direction matters on the seam unless you take it to a longarm quilter - then you follow their rules.
I'm not the greatest quilter so I go with a print that will hide my stitches. Same with thread.
Good luck! I'm sure it will be beautiful no matter how you do it.

Backing fabric depends upon the quilt top fabric.

I like seam vertical but preferably not in the middle.

Definitely cut off selvage edges.

Match bobbin to backing, top thread to top.

All of my backings have been pieced using left over fabric. So my backs are very scrappy and fun.

I use light color backing and I quilt backing side up because I always do all over squiggles. As a main thread, the one that will show on the backing I use variegated thread, and In the bobbin I use whatever is neutral and will not be too obvious on the top. This is fairly unorthodox approach to quilting but I like it. As for the pieced backing I try to stay away from it if I can since I can never line the seam just right. If I absolutely have to I use wider seam allowance and press it open.

for backing fabric....
Print or solid..... depends on the top- often a print

seam down seam across.....across since i'm a long armer---always across---if not being long armed it does not matter so much.

cut off salvage edge ???? ALWAYS!!! the salvage is a tighter weave and will shrink differently than the rest of the fabric. the salvages should always be cut off --- then you can always save salvages & make something with them- or pass them on to people who use them for other projects.

match bobbin thread to backing color or..... of course

match bobbin thread to top thread so it doesn't show on top ????? if your tension is right your bobbin thread will not show on the top- the bobbin should match your back- the top thread should go with your top. even tension keeps both on their respective side.

I like to use a print background if it goes with the front. However, I stay away from stripes and plaids -- if they are off-grain even a small amount, it doesn't look good. The quilt that I just finished had the backing and borders made from a black fabric with tiny white dots arranged in rows. I wasn't off much, but it bothered me to see my imperfection.

In general, seams go where needed to make the fabric on hand fit. I always pre-wash my fabric, so I can tell what the selvage will look like. I usually cut it off.

Dayle

I now go across with my backings. Selvages always off. I like print on my backs. Planning to start piecing the back with different chunks to make it more interesting If you think about it the back is usually the largest amount of single fabric so why not make it interesting?

I try to pick a backing color,to be able to use the same color thread for front and back.

On the back i try for a print, this way if it gets a spill it wont show.
i quilt by hand