Our library also has a book dedicated to quilting from the back. It was very interesting, but I didn't try it.

Thanks for the responses and the support! I love the idea of using a backing with a pattern to follow. Or I could trace or pounce one on. Without the seams and design elements of the front this sounds like a very doable way for a newbie to quilt a design.

I've done a little quilting from the back. I was using metallic thread on top and it kept shredding. I put it in my bobbin and turned the quilt over, and I had beautiful results. No breakage, at all!

I've done this a number of times, and most often for the same reason--so I could see what I was stitching. As long as your tension is balanced so the stitches look right, I can't see any reason why you shouldn't.

I've done it too and also for the same reason. No quilt police here :D :D

When I do machine applique on both the front and the back, my sister who quilts it will do part of it from the back and part of it from the front. No one can tell if the tension is good!

As long as it works, why not? Busy can get you dizzy and for some turn into a migraine. Who needs that?

Just did it yesterday......my border was of a color that I didn't have a good marking method for. So I delineated the border area by some stitch in the ditch on the front and then turned it over, marked the border and stitched away. Very happy with the results

I've heard of this method before. In fact, one of the quilt teachers on Simply Quilts suggested taking a large scale print for the backing, then quilting around that design, as it would make FMQ easier. Remember, in quilting there are no rules.

Here is one source for pre-marked backing. There should be others.

http://www.canadianquiltshop.com/ind...a&filter_id=92