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this, along with another thread, addresses the use of muslin. i have always considered it an inferior fabric. i am changing my mind and will be seeking this out in the future if the quilt warrents its use. i do realize that there are different grades, for lack of a better word.

I usually use a print....and try to find a wide backing to coordinate.

I use a lot of muslin for backing, really like it and always looks good, to me anyways. Sometimes I use other backing, according to my mood, I guess.

I try to buy good muslin for this, not the thin one.

delma

I use Legacy muslin, 90 ", that I get by the bolt from JoAnn's when I have a 1/2 coupon. It's a better grade muslin than the JoAnn's brand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by happyquiltmom (Post 5529978)

It depends. I just finished a charity kids quilt with muslin on the back, simply for the cost savings.

I often will use fabric from the sale rack at our LQS (still excellent quality) that doesn't necessarily match perfectly, but blends or adds interest.

If it is an heirloom quality quilt, I will use a print of one of the fabrics used in the quilt top.

I've also been known to piece my backs. I even have a reversible quilt, made from the same blocks on the front and back!

what happyquiltmom says except I try to do a simple 9-patch alternating the colored squares with fabrics and colors from the quilt top all the time...I tend to do only traditional patterns and love the idea of a pieced back. It works in most instances. I am finishing a wedding quilt for my niece which will be a departure from my usual
practice because the top is an Irish chain with alternating 8-inch plain squares I will be filling with quilting designs. I didn't think the quilting would work well from both sides, so I am finishing the back with $100 worth of the light background fabric from the front--only because of the quilting issues and then because it's a special-occasion quilt. I love muslin, too, so don't hesitate to use it for the piecing of my 9-patch quilt backs.

All of you are so great with helping us newbies out. Thank you so much for you help and guidance .

I like to use flannel for the back. Almost every quilt I have made in the past 2 or 3 years has had flannel on the back. I think it just makes it feel better. I also used it on a large queen-sized quilt because the flannel will keep the quilt from slipping off the bed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandybeach (Post 5559199)

My first quilt was a lap quilt made from flannel fat quarters with flannel backing. All went well until I tried to HAND quilt it. Flannel is NOT hand quilter friendly so I ended up machine quilting. Lesson learned!

Either one, I use both.

I like to use up my left overs from the front. If I dont' have enough left, I like to use this method:

http://www.maryquilts.com/off-center-4-patch-backing/

This lady has alot of free patterns. It is not a commercial site. She just asks that you not sell her patterns. I only use solid fabrics if I'm REALLY confident of my quilting design. The bobbles seem to show ALOT more on a solid!