Originally Posted by
Onebyone
At one of the hundreds of classes I have taken over the decades, the instructor said something that stuck in my mind. She said white background with colorful print is the best choice to have in your stash all the time. It can be used with about every color of blocks. PeaceandJoy your background is an excellent example of that.
Thanks! I've followed Bonnie Hunter (quiltville.com) for many years; her "neutrals" have definitely influenced my choices. I absolutely love this fabric, but that price about choked me. Then, I realized that other than fabric, there's really very little I buy or do strictly for myself and just went ahead with it.
I do love Hancocks of Paducah for their sale fabrics, especially when I need a lot of something - like for a backing. I don't mind seaming a backing at all - it's only a long, straight seam and takes just a few minutes. When I finished Rhododendron Trails (another Bonnie Hunter quilt) and needed backing, I got RK Batiks from HOP for $3.99/yard. Can't beat that with a stick. It was a little brighter green than I wanted, but at that price, it's absolutely fine. It wasn't long ago that everyone used plain old muslin for backing. Now, when I read that people need the same fabric for backing as in the top, I just roll my eyes. Who really sees it?
As far as pre-cuts - I rarely buy them, either. Even when I love some of the fabrics in a line, there are always a couple that are just plain duds.