When I was at a quilt show a few months ago, I found myself looking at the backs of the quilts since a lot of them were hung perpendicular to the aisle and I could see the backs without touching the quilts. It seems like most of them had plain white backs on them. Which I found curious. I've never done a white backing, all of my backings have been with fabric that coordinates with the front, I guess because that's what I've seen in magazines and such so just always figured that was "the way" it was normally done.

So, what do you do and why? Do you do both, depending upon the purpose?

I usually use some type of print fabric for my backs. I try to use the same quality fabric on the back as I do the front. It may not necessarily be a coordinating fabric but I try to pick one that will compliment what it on the front. There are a lot of people that will back their quilts with Muslin, it's cheaper and you can get it in large width's, however it is not a method I have chosen.

Eddie,
I have done all of my backs with something that coordinates with the front. I have never used a white backing. I am wondering if that is something strictly done for show pieces? I would fear using a white backing as all of my quilts are loved and used by someone and white does not last too well.
Hugs
April

My backs coordinate with the fronts. To me, the back is as important as the front.

Sybil

It depends upon the quilt. Purpose and type. Kid drag around and love- flannel. Wedding quilt to keep for 100 years-white
Man's quilt- coordinating with the front.
A gift- depends on the person that I am giving it to.

A wall hanging for just me to enjoy-ugly fabric that I have in my stash and really don't want to look at. but makes great backing.

I made a mistake one time. Used a deffinate ugly on the back of a wall hanging for just me. Hand quilted as it was an antique block I found at a rummage sale. Ended up liking it and entered it in the county fair. Bad idea. The judge did not like the ugly on the back.
Oh well, I think of her comments every time I change it out on the quilt hanger in my dining room.
I am a firm believer quilting is an art. To me it's what make me happy. To some its "what's that?"
quilting mom 86

I like a little bit of some pattern on my backs. I don't think I have done plain white. I have done some coordinated and some that seemed to go slightly with the front. I used to skimp on the backs, but now I figure they are just as important as the front so I get the good stuff.

I've matched the front on my quilts so far. I think that if I did a white back, then it would be because I was trying to match the front.

Me too Eddie, I coordinate the back, that way it's like 2 in one.

I would think for a quilt that isn't going to be "used" that a white would be good.

I want the quilts I make to be used tho. :-)

When I hand quilt I use plain white for the backing. Since I'm still learning machine quilting I use some type of print--it hides a multitude of mistakes!! LOL

I agree. I coordinate the backing with the front. They are meant to be used, white shows dirt so easily.

More and more lately, I piece some backs to use up what was on the front. I also will make a coordinating block to use for a label and piece it right into the backing.

If there isn't enough leftovers to make the backing big enough, I add coordinating blender pieces from my stash, paying attention to what will end up at the back border edge. I don't want too many seams at the edge and want the binding to look good with the border of the front and the backing.

However, my puzzle-type backs might not please the judges. I'm not making quilts for competition.