108" backing fabric vs 42" quilting fabric
 

Is there a difference in quality of a backing fabric and a regular 42" quilting fabric? In other words is the thread count the same in name brands such as moda for example, so that I could cut up a backing to piece for the top?
I use a lot of vanilla/cream/beiges in most of my tops so thought this might be good option.

Carole

The wide backings I have used are absolutely wonderful - I do love the Moda fabric alot and I have been very happy with the 108" that I purchased and used - it was very soft to the touch - almost a silky feel to it and it worked great- I don't think there is a difference in the thread count - I absolutely love using the wide fabrics when I can.

so do I. I often use my backing scraps in tops. I mostly buy them A Thousand Bolts. All have been top quality.

The backings we carry in the quilt shop where I work are 100% cotton. Same quality as quilting fabric, just wider. I have often used leftovers from the wide backings in pieced quilt tops.

Like any other fabric there could be a variance in quality. I've seen varied quality (thread count, feel (hand), etc) from the same manufacturer in an LQS.

Some of the wide fabrics are the same as the regular ... just wider. I know Northcott makes some of their Stonehenge in 108" and it's the same quality as the 45".

As a long arm quilter I love wide backings for my own as well as client quilts. I often order wide fabric from Sew Batik
Http://www.sewbatik.com for myself and for clients. Their quality is similar to any other Batik I've used.

GMTA!
Thank you DHMom ... for saving my fingers! :)

I use the wide backings and make backings from regular quilt fabric, just depends how I want to do it. I only make quilts to keep or give away and need to please myself.

I dont make many large bed size quilts and am to cheap to buy backing fabric. So I use Joanns $7 higher quality 120in wide muslin. When the quilting is done it looks great on the back and shows off the quilting design that my long arm quilter does.

I usually order mine from Marshall's Dry Goods or Christian Lane - the quality and service is good.

I buy them regularly at Hancocks with my 40% off coupon and watch for sales and special discounts. I prefer a one piece backing. I have also purchased and JoAnn's with less success, they seem to bleed color. Also watch your backing that it is not thin. If you hold it up and can see through it you may have your quilting punch through the batting and show on the back side.

I mostly use the 108 in. backing fabric and I love it...I get all my backing fabric in NY from an amish store...Her fabrics are cheep and of great quality....

I use wide unbleached muslin. I like the old fashioned look to it.

Extra wide backings
 

i use these whenever I can, one reason is the cost. Most of the extra wide backings work out to be about half of what it would cost if you bought fabric at 42" wide from your local quilt shop. For a king at say $18.99 a yard for extra wide would be about $66 figuring that you would use 3.5 yards. Given that same scenario you buy 42" wide at $11.99 a yard times 10 yards you would pay $119.90. The other is the ease there are no seams which makes it easier for the Longarmer or domestic machine to quilt.

The quality I have found on most of the ones that you get at the local quilt store to be a good quality. Sometimes the ones that Joann's sells sometimes you have to watch the thread count. However that being said I have also found some really nices ones there too. Its like everything else you have to look at what you buy and the cost.