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width of seam on backing?

width of seam on backing?

Old 08-31-2012, 05:44 PM
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Default width of seam on backing?

Hi all... my quilty friend and I had a lovely day today sewing... first on the quilt block challenge for the county fair (whew, glad that block is finished!)... then on our own projects. Here's my question, and it's an easy question for you I hope, but I really want/need to know??? Do I stay with a 1/4" seam on the two lengths of fabric I'm sewing together for the backing of a small quilt I've finished? It seems as though it should be a little deeper seam, but I really don't know? Thanks for helping!!
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Old 08-31-2012, 05:51 PM
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I use a half inch to a 5/8ths inch seam on my backing.
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Old 08-31-2012, 05:53 PM
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thanks, Scissor Queen... your advice sounds great!! I'm off to finish this backing!!
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Old 08-31-2012, 06:07 PM
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I still use the 1/4" seam on the back because you are going to quilt it anyway. I didn't know you use a different size seam for the back.
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Old 08-31-2012, 06:11 PM
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If the quilt is not being put onto a longarm is it necessary to have a wider seam on the backing? Is that the only reason for a wider seam or is there another reason? I've always wondered.
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Old 08-31-2012, 06:14 PM
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I also sew 1/2" ish for the backing.

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Old 08-31-2012, 06:14 PM
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Aside from longarming, I think it depends a lot on the quilting. If you have a seam in the backing running the length of the quilt without quilting lines running over it periodically, then I would want a wider seam because of the additional stress the seam will be subjected to.

There really is no reason to use 1/4" seam on the backing anyway, unless possibly if you are handquilting (and even then it probably would make very little difference to a hand quilter).
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Old 08-31-2012, 06:36 PM
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I use a 1/2" seam when joining pieces for a quilt back. But I take it a step further. I'll then grade the seam (cutting one smaller than the other) so that when I press them to one side, it avoids a big lump where you go over the three layers of fabric. If you press your seam open, then it doesn't matter about the grading of the seam allowance.
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Old 08-31-2012, 06:37 PM
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I use a 1/2" seam... just my preference!
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Old 08-31-2012, 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Scissor Queen View Post
I use a half inch to a 5/8ths inch seam on my backing.
Ditto -- I like the wider seam for the binding. I also use a diagonal seam (Ala John Flynn. http://www.multi-patch.com/html/diag...calculator.php ) for smaller quilts since I am less likely to have the backing seam in the same place as any of my longer top seams.
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