Quiltingboard Forums - Backing Help Please!!

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Your quilt top is beautiful! I can't really add anything to the advice already given.

If you are sending it out to be quilted, don't put the pieces together witout checking with the person quilting. I have a first time customer who did this. Unfortunately I can't quilt that one because I have to have the piece seperate to go in my quilt frame. You did a wonderful job for being a 1st quilt. Mine should look so good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzmyn

I need a step by step directions as to how to do a simple basic back for a quilt top.

Short story here: I am NEW to quilting and I really mean NEW...I don't know why I have to always start with hard things I just find them a challenge...I DO follow directions to patterns step by step. I ordered several Dereck Lockwood Bargello patterns(love these quilts they fasinate me) the one I chose to do first is "Diamond Lites" done in 12" blocks...took me a few weeks to do but I got the front done I was impressed how well it turned out and even my DH was impressed....Dereck's directions are Great easy to follow....BUT...in none of the patterns is he telling a person step by step how to lay out the material for the back and how to do it....do you cut the material "x" amount inches past the front...do you cut the batting the same size as the top or the back? Is there a tute to step by step how to do the back...I realize there has got to be a million ways to do a back and it depends on the top and of course how a person wants it to look.

What I have is a topper that is 66 x90 the last border for the front is black and the back is to be black...it is to take 4 yards to do the back.

My problem is I Don't know where to start and end....does that makes sense? I am certain I am making this really harder than it is.....I think I just need a push start.

I am attaching a pic of the front before I put the borders on(hope it works...haven't done an attachment before).

Thank You for your help, Roseanna (Jazzmyn)

Wonderful quilt! My avatar is a Derek Lockwood, too. As far as the backing, it depends on whether you are doing it or sendng it to a Longarmer. If you're doing it yourself, I cut the backing, or piece so that it is several inches longer and wider than the quilt. The batting has to be AT LEAST as big as the quilt. I often have it an inch or two onger and wider, but if I don't have that much, as long as it is the size of the top,it will be fine.

I to as a beginner started out with the hard designs, but not quite as hard as the one you did. It is beautiful. I was told to always go 2-4" past your measurement for backing and close to the same size for the batting. Extra never hurt if you are sending it out.

Also for future reference, I make my tops first, then measure and go buy the fabric. You could use sheets for backing. Problem with this is you have to take out the seams. You can also find fabric 90", 108" and 120". Most LQS have white or neutral. Some places have colors. If you are piecing you backing, less seams are better for quilting. Most of my customers prefer the solid backing.

I think you could enter your quilt in a quilt show. Our area just had one sponsored by AQS and there was a section for "first quilts". Yours is a very stunning first quilt and one that a lot of quilters would consider challenging. Quilters who attend the show would enjoy viewing your quilt so go for it! Part of the reason quilters like to look at quilts is to get inspiration. Your quilt has already inspired me to try the bargello.

ARE YOU KIDDING? This can't be a beginner quilt. It is beautiful!

Roseanna, great job, what a beautiful quilt :)

Here's another suggestion for backing:

http://www.alwaysquilting.com.au/the-art-back.htm

There is a diagonal method that's pretty cool - here is a calculator and nice graphic description on how to do it:

http://multi-patch.com/html/diagonal...calculator.php

OR - purchase some of the wide backing material - lots of stores have the 108" wide fabric!

Enjoy :)

Boy if that's your first I can't imagine what your 10th one will belike. Talk about a challange especially on your very first on. Great job!!!!!!

Jazzmyn - go to Calico Cow Quilt Shop in Roswell and they will be more than happy to show you how to put your quilt together (sandwich). Thay can also give you ideas on how to quilt it etc. They are a very friendly shop. NO I do not have anything to do with them. I live in Alamogordo,NM and when I got there (2hr drive one way), they are so friendly I would refer anyone to them. Even if you are passing thru there you need to stop in.

Beautiful quilt by the way.