Not enough fabric for backing and cannot find anymore
 

I bought what I thought was enough material for the backing of a quilt I am making. It is a quilters flannel from Joann's. I called around but the store does not have any more of this fabric and they do not even have any left at the warehouse so I cannot even order it. Any suggestions? I do not want to buy all new material for the backing because it is queen size and it would be to expensive. I am about 1 1/2 yards short. Would it look bad to use 2 different fabrics for the back?

Suzanne

Absolutely! I do it all the time.

People use multiple colors on the backs of quilts all the time. You could cut your flannel in half...spread it apart and insert a coordinating piece in the middle or you could cut it in multiple places and use your coordinating pieces that way. I know others on the board will come up with examples for you.

Fabric backs are pieced all the time. Remove the selvage, use 1/2" seams, press open firmly. If you are taking this to a LA quilter. Horizontal seems are preferred. Just be aware we can't center perfectly from top to bottom. It is better to plan something that looks deliberately not centered. All is not lost! Think creatively. Use a block in part of the back.

I have made backs with borders when I came up short fabric

I've pieced backs a number of times, and our ancestors definitely did, too. I like LoisM's idea of cutting your fabric in half to use on each end. You can put a different fabric in the middle, or put some other larger blocks into the section in the middle for extra interest. I also like the idea of cutting your fabric into strips (wider ones) and alternate with strips of other fabrics in colors similar to the front -- that way you have a reversible quilt. Instead of looking at it as solving a problem, make it a creation you can have fun with.

Absolutely piece the backing! I prefer my backs to be pieced. Often I will incorporate blocks from the front or fabrics that I used in the front. I am going to Joann's tomorrow, if you could post a picture, I would be happy to see if they have the fabric that you are looking for!

I have have pieced the back many times just to add some element of interest! It is all good!

I commonly put orphan blocks on the backs of mine,or I'll make random artsy block out of the scraps from the front an put on the back.

You could post in the IN SEARCH OF category to see if anyone has the fabric and would be willing to sell some to you.

Use some of your other left over fabrics to make blocks or just shapes to cover back in a pleasing way. Just watch when quilting, especially if the seams are back to back.

I've seen lots of quilts that are 2 or 3 different fabrics pieced together. I like them, it gives more interest to the back.

Craftsy has a free class on creative backs. Some of them I already do, but I did learn new things. Check it out. I am doing this more and more- it's like having 2 quilts!!

Here are some ideas to get you going:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t148395.html

This was a great help.

Thank you
Suzanne

These are all great ideas. I cannot wait to get back to my quilt. I especially like the idea of adding blocks from the front onto the back. Thank you all soooo much!
Suzanne

is this a situation where the slip and slide technique will help you? Can't think of the guy who developed the technique, but I have it on Excel so you will know if your fabric will work. All you need to know is the size of your quilt, how much extra you need on sides to please your quilter, and the width of the fabric you want to use on the back. Insert the numbers where they belong and the formula page automatically computes the number of inches and also yards you need to make it work. If you want a copy send me an email and I'll be happy to share with you. I love this page. All you need is for your computer to have Microsoft Excel so it can open and use the page.

A while back someone suggested using some of the fabric of the front on the back. Should the quilt ever need repair the right fabrics will be right there.

Robert Kauffman has an app for backing, borders, binding etc it is free it willnot help for this time but if you have a smart phone it can help for the future. I have done "back art" many times. Good luck on how ever you decide to finish it.

I piece backings, makes the back very pretty!!!!

I love to make scrappy backs. I often go find a different fabric for the binding just so I have some of the matching fabric for the back! maryquilts has a great off center 4 patch backing idea. She has lots of free quilt patterns too...

www.maryquilts.com

look along the left side...its called : backing~ off center 4 patch

I have begun to prefer a pieced back. I think it adds interest and a little whimsy to the quilt. The only time, recently, that I've done backs of a single fabric is when I've done either a tiny doll quilt or a smallish wallhanging and the piece of fabric that I had was enough for the whole quilt.

Go ahead. People do it all the time! Sometimes things like this happen and it totally expands your horizons by forcing you into an uncomfortable situation.

Pieced borders look wonderful! There are no quilt police.

The modern Quilters are doing it all the time now and it looks great. Or piece the rest out of fabrics you have left from the front. Use leftover blocks. Make a stacked coins strip from leftovers.

Sometimes I make a hanging tube out of the leftover fabrics, then there is fabric for repairs.

People in my guild piece backs all the time, often a stripe of something coordinating.

I didn't have enough money to purchase backing for a scrappy quilt for my granddaughters wedding. I had plenty of the many different materials I used on the front so I cut 12" squares and made a scrappy backing that was 110" x 120". They were thrilled with it because they thought it was reversible.

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My color layout is not as good as I would like it to be and it took longer to do it, but it worked out for the pocket book. In my opinion, you can do anything on the back that works well for you.

Bearpawquilter said:
The modern Quilters are doing it all the time now and it looks great. Or piece the rest out of fabrics you have left from the front. Use leftover blocks. Make a stacked coins strip from leftovers.

I do pieced backs a lot. This one, I used fabric from the border to piece the back. This particular one is centered but I've also done them off-center. You just need to make it look deliberate. :D

Two things.
1. Call JoAnns customer service (make sure you have the sku # of your fabric, They can do a nationwide search for your fabric. They'll give you the phone # of the stores (if they have any) and you can call them and check to see if it's in stock. If not, try #2.
2. Here is the link to John Flynn's diagonal pieced backing. http://www.flynnquilt.com/workshop/FreeLessons/ Scroll down to Diagonal Pieced backing and print the instructions. Do the math and see if it will work for you. I haven't tried it yet, but am going to try it tomorrow for a charity comfort wrap.
Good luck. That said, been there, done that. More than once, I'm afraid.

Give us a picture someone on here might have it.

Pieced backs are fun and add interest! Go for it. :)

I collect all of my leftovers from the front of my quilt and make some sort of design for my quilt back. Then I add something that coordinates with it until it is large enough. I also have made a giant version of one of the blocks on the front and put it in the middle and add borders until it is big enough.

No use whatever you like i do it all the time

I happened to walk in to a quilt shop in Pendleton, OR a few years ago and a gal was having this same problem. So she asked me what I thought of her backing. It was beautiful! She put together another quilt square like on the front and worked some solids around it and then appliqued an iris on the back. Looked beautiful and also like it was meant to be.

Yes, you can peice the backing! I do it all the time! :)

pieced backs are so much fun. :)

I do it all the time. Cut your material into 3's. Find a color that will look good with what you have and put it in the middle. I never do the same fabric on my backing. It will work.

So much great information ladies, I am soaking it up like a dry sponge and learning to much. Thank you all so much.

I mostly use up the leftovers from the front to make a scrappy back. Works great and it's even fun sometimes to flip it over and just see big 'chunks' of fabric. I don't try to make a special pattern out of it either just use what I got for the best coverage.