Originally Posted by ckcowl

I prefer wide backs- even flannels can be found in wide widths. often I choose a pattern/print fabric or batik- once in a while a solid is the best choice- solids tend to show every stitch while prints tend to help any errors disappear- so if you are not an excellent quilter a print is much more forgiving. I buy a lot of my wide fabrics from fabric.com where they have great prices and free shipping at $35 so expense speaking wide backs can be a much better deal. it does of course depend on what size quilts you tend to make though. I make mostly queen sized quilts- so 3 yards of 108" wide fabric at $12-$15 a yard gives me plenty of backing (with some left overs to add to the stash or only $36- $45 (when you think about 6 or 7 yards of regular 45" fabric to piece a back at $10-$12 a yard- you are looking at $60,$70 up to $72-$84...even batiks at $17 a yard for wide only comes out to $51 for 3 yards.