Boy, those backs are beautiful. I may have to get creative and try something different....WoW!!!

Dina

Check out the book by Elizabeth Hartman titled Modern Patchwork. 12 patterns are given and there are suggestions for pieced backings, too. There are some very neat ideas in that book!

This is how I handled a similar problem. Saw this pattern on this site and used it and it worked. Good luck. This is very easy!

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I have many times pieced my backs to making it large enough. If I have any left over blocks I'll put those together to make a row. I made a Row Robin quilt this year where I enlarged the blocks I'd made to put on the back. I also used large sections of fabric colors I pulled from the blocks on the front. I did draw it out on graph paper first, but that was quite general in size. I know some long armers don't like a pieced back, but I fmq all my quilts, so it doesn't matter to me.

make TWO quilt tops and use one for the back that way they have two quilts in one, works for tablecloths as well.. palcemats etc.. they do not have to match, you really don't want it to match. like different seasons.. Christmas or thanksgiving and so on.. enjoy

Go on John Flynn's website and he has a formula for a backing piecing.

Thank you, everyone! Lots of great ideas and I appreciate all of you taking the time to post. This is the best forum ever!

This blogger did a great tutorial/pattern for a really cute pieced back that would be easy to duplicate. http://catbirdquilts.wordpress.com/2...al-fast-backs/

In my advanced years and limited 3 years of quilting, I decided that the back of every quilt would be as interesting as the front so that I could just flip flop them if I wanted to do so. So, I always make the backs as much fun as the front. Here is my patriotic quilt that I got the basic quilt from Connecting Threads and then did my own thing with it. Maybe this will help. I have patch-worked the backs, designed backs with left over blocks from the fronts, made a totally different quilt on the back, husband wanted fleece on one of his OSU quilts so it is soft and wonderful and fluffy. The back of this one was two major pieces of backing with a beautiful row of left over stars that I had fussy cut for the blocks on the front of the quilt.

After seeing a documentary on Gees Bend quilts I was inspired to piece the back of a quilt without much planning. I just started sewing my leftover pieces together until it fit the top. I love the unexpected look of the back. I also really enjoyed the sewing with no planning approach, especially when it turned out so well. Enjoy the creating...it's fun!