Has anyone ever done the pieced top twice for both sides, instead of a solid fabric as the backing?

As a matter of fact, I am attempting to do just that right now. The front and back will be different patterns using the same fabrics. We'll see how it turns out.

I tried to, but when it came time to put them together, I decided to make 2 quilts instead of just ONE! :D

I have a couple started LOL I am using bigger blocks for the back than for the front... I was trying to eliminate some of the bulk from the seams :wink: :D:D:D

I would love to see it. Can you post a pic when you get it done? yeah the bulk might be a factor. I saw one post where you clip and easement at the intersections, just a slight notch to help it lay flat. You could do a tut on it, ya know !!! Thanks, blessings, Ruth

that sounds like a cool idea, please post pictures for us

all the time. most of my quilts are 2 quilts in one...that way, if a person wants a change they can flip it over and have a new look...sometimes i use flannel on one side and regular cotton on the other...fall/winter and spring/summer.it is more fun than just a whole cloth backing...although every once in awhile i do one of those and it looks as good on the back once it's quilted...may as well be a whole new quilt ;)
the only problem? if hand quilting you wind up with lots of seams to work with...machine quilting it's not such an issue.

Thanks for raising this..I am contemplating it for my next project (machine construction/quilting...if brave enough). I thought it may be do-able so it's interesting to read what other's do.

I've got one that's a UFO!!! I'm a handquilter & I started thinking about quilting this with all the seams and put it back into the closet until I rethink it some more. It'll probably be two separate quilts,lol!!

I've done it several times and really like the look. I did it the first time because I ran short of fabric, but now I plan them that way. But I do make the pieces on the back MUCH bigger - at least a FQ or larger. It helps cut down on the bulk, it's not as "stretchy" and you still have a 2 sided quilt.

Those that have been sucessful at this... Do you find it particularly challenging to line everything up perfectly when sandwiching? For some reason, this sounds like it will be a nightmare.

I haven't but I've seen some in shows and they are gorgeous! I might try it someday to have a reversible quilt.

WOW!! I am in this exact same situation! I was trying to make two different patterns for my granddaughter's Sweet 16 next month, but no matter how much I trim and fudge, I just can't get the two to end up the same size. I just told my husband last night, I am going to turn these into 2 quilts and stop stressing myself out!

I've done that. I had leftover fabrics after making the top. I didn't want to purchase backing fabric so I started piecing the back and found when I was done I spent as much time on the back as the front. I gave it to my friend as a gift and she said it's one of her very favorites. So, I guess it was all worth it.

That's beautiful! Both sides... LOL I love the colors

I always try to coordinate the back with the front. I don't want to have a lap quilt that is pale blue on the front and an assortment of wild fabric colors on the back. I want it to be a "complete" quilt that will look nice no matter how they wrap it around themselves. I use fabrics from the front, although in larger blocks as has been mentioned. I haven't run into any problems keeping both the top and back lined up. (knock wood!)

Beautiful and I like the back also, I do some piecing for the back sometimes, not much. My oldest DD does this, she has more patience than I do. I'm always ready to get it done and start another.

I've done it twice. Both were baby quilts. The first was entirely pieced and machine quilted. The second used a pre-printed panel with 2 borders for the backing and was tied with yarn. Both were flannel on one side and regular cotton.

I want to repeat that these were some of the first quilts I ever attempted and I'm fairly certain that the "Sesame Street" one didn't survive unless the mama put it away and never used it. I have no idea what possessed me to put prairie points on it without even knowing what a prairie point was or how to properly add them. (Sometimes quilt police would be a good thing or maybe the good quilting fairy!) The other still looks new and has since been used by a second baby.

I have used pieced fabric on the back, but never as a pattern . I think trying to match everything up would be a nightmare :shock: LOL

Creative border use solves most problems but the larger the quilt is the harder it is to line things up. That's why I haven't tried it on anything larger than baby quilts.

A block by block Quilt as You go could be done reversible and made any size you want easily. Sharon Pederson showed one on an episode of Simply Quilts that was really cute & fairly simple.