I am a newbie and doing my first lap quilt. When doing backing, how should u sew two pieces together to have enough for the whole back. Do u just sew a seam down the middle? Will that add too much stress?

Hi Mona, there is a teaching about backings by John Flynn that should be helpful for you.

http://flynnquilt.com/media/uploads/...onalpb1103.pdf


Pam M

Thank you, I will check it out and see if I can do it! Wish me luck.

I checked it out but it shows more how to figure out how much you need and I was looking more for HOW to do the backing. Do I sew just one seam down the middle or should I cut it in thirds and have two seams down the back? I have the quilt top laid out on the floor on top of the backing fabric and I have enough with 1 inch borders around it. What do you do or how do you do it?

There are many ways to do the back. I've pieced down the middle with great results...no issues with stress on the seam. Usually I will add blocks or a section with a contrasting fabric and stretch my backing fabric, which is great if you're a little short. Some people put a seam down both sides of the selvedge, then cut one piece in the middle. This gives a fabric's width in the center and 2 narrow strips on either side.

I've looked into the diagonal method before and it required more thinking than I wanted to do. ;)

They say to avoid sewing a seam down the middle. I like to use a center piece with borders for the backing. Or, you can do the 3 panel method with wider in middle & narrow on either side.

The traditional method is to use two lengths (fabric the length of the quilt). Split one in half lengthwise, then sew a half to each side of the uncut length. This results in the back having two seams. Traditionally a single seam down the middle has been avoided.

The Flynn method shows how to achieve a similar result with less than 2 lengths of fabric (saves on fabric cost). To be honest, I just can't seem to stay with his explanation long enough to actually use it.

John Flynn's method is most advantageous for someone quilting on a frame, where you don't want the added bulk of a seam rolling on in the same place, causing a loss of space.

Thanks all. You gave me just what I needed.

I like the three panel method myself, but lately I've been piecing the back with alot of smaller leftover pieces from the front. It makes it more interesting, I think.

Really good idea!

I've been thinking of that lately and wondering how I would find the file. Thanks!!!!!

This board is just so dang helpful. I dont know what I would do without all of you. You are truly appreciated.

Mona B

I think the diagonal method is a good one but seems too much to do when you don't need to. However, I do not hand quilt so as it was said, that may make it much more worthwhile.

Hi Mona,

John's method is how to figure out what fabric you need, and to cut and sew the backing together. It is generally not good to have a seam line directly straight down the middle. The next possible way is to have two seam lines on each side with the middle section being the largest. If the quilt is to be stored part of the year it stays better over time with the diagonal seam.

Hope this makes sense.

Pam M

It does make sense. I am going to save the link as a favorite for when I need it, and I know I will

Hi Mona! I don't know John Flynn's method but another idea is to make the backing from several fabrics. It's fun and you end up with another design!! :D:D

Then it can be reversible! Sounds like a good plan, thank you

boy, i hate piecing backings..
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/techni...backs_ss1.html

i do like to use the leftover fabrics from the front, onto the back,even if it is just the homemade label!

i also like to use 90 wide muslin,bleached or natural for the backs of bigger quilts..

Although I had also been taught to not just have 1 seam down the middle, I have been doing quilts that way for yrs and have never had a problem. Some of these "rules" are outdated so long as you use good quality fabric and batting. Also, I piece my backings horizontally instead of vertically as it takes less fabric.

Thanks for your explanation!

I use the three panel method also.

Depending on the size of the quilt- I do my seam across instead of up and down. Buy fabric 2 times the width of the quilt top adding extra fabric for quilting. This methods works if quilt length is shorter than width of fabric 44 +44 =90 ". It ly saves at least 1 yd of fabric. Seam should off center little.

I think it's aesthetically attractive to have 3 pieces rather than 2.

I just took a class and we were told to make 1 1" seem but off center it. Press the seem open, not to one side like you do in piecing. This avoids bulk.

Great idea!

I was taught to make horizontal seams also. Recently for my nephew's quilt I made too many blocks that I was alternating with fussy cut wild animals. I used these down one side of the backing. Then I cut wedding print fabric for the bottom corner block and centered the label on the wedding fabric. I thought it turned out really neat.

I have pieced the back of a quilt also. Use the width of your backing fabric right down the middle of your quilt vertically. Use leftover fabric from the front to sew large blocks together to make up the difference on either side of the strip down the middle. Let's say your quilt is 60" wide and your center piece has 42" of usable fabric (cut those selvedges off). You need at least 9" on either side to make up the difference. Sew blocks together to make up the 9" and sew one on each side of the center. My first thought was that I was being stingy not buying two lengths of fabric for the back, but after it was all done, it turned out great.

I really like this idea for lap quilts.

A small lap quilt only needs two pieces sewn down the middle. As the size enlarges, it is better to do 3 or 4 pieces. Good luck and have fun with it :D

I know he is an engineer but there is an easier way to figure the amount of fabric.

I decided how wide the back needed to be and subtracted the width of the fabric (allowing for selvages and seams) from what I needed.

I folded the fabric diagonally measured from the selvage edge the extra width plus seam allowances. Measure down from the top to that point. Then cut your fabric length that much extra long plus a fudge factor. After you cut the length, fold the piece diagonally and press the fold. After you cut the piece in half on the fold, lay it out putting the one piece up as much as needed to make your needed width. Sew the seam

Most long arm quilters like the seam to run parallel to the rails of the quilting machine frame. Sometimes I put the largest piece in the middle and add borders to the edges. Make sure you have everything on grain if you can. Otherwise, the backing can get wonkey.

Something else to add to your backing is a back topper section. It is a section across the top that coordinates with the top. Some use extra blocks, coordinating blocks, smaller blocks like ones on the front, etc. It makes a nice surprise when you turn down the quilt. This would mean you'd need a less amount of the backing fabric.

Pam M

Something else to add to your backing is a back topper section. It is a section across the top that coordinates with the top. Some use extra blocks, coordinating blocks, smaller blocks like ones on the front, etc. It makes a nice surprise when you turn down the quilt. This would mean you'd need a less amount of the backing fabric.

Pam M

I really appreciated all the great advice also.

i like to measure the length i need, double it, cut the yardage in half, selvage to selvage.. sew right sides together on both sides, then cut down the fold line in the middle of the selvages lengthwise... gets me a full width of the fabric with 2 pcs on the sides...

sounds harder than it is when i try to explain it...