Backing
 

I am new to quilting and was wondering , do most of you put a finished backing on your quilts that match the front or us Muslin? Thank you for your help

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!

I usually use a print that coordinates with the top.

i second this advice :thumbup:

Same here!

When I first started quilting I thought all backs had to be solid color (think I based that on what my grandmother did). So I bought a lot of Kona cotton solids. Didn't take me long to realize I like to coordinate the back to the front. So my suggestion would be put on the back what you think would work the best (muslin, print, or whatever). Then only purchase backings as you complete your first few quilts and I think you'll see your opinion and taste change as you grow more confident with your fabric choices, colors, and patterns. The last few months I've actually had the backing picked out before I've gotten all the fabrics for the front. It's always fun for me to have the back be kind of a surprise for someone when they look and discover there's more than just the front to a quilt.

I've actually never used muslin on the back of a quilt, although I have used it on the front and I do think it can be a nice backing, depending on the quilt. On scrappy quilts I often try to use up the leftovers from the front. I very seldom buy a fabric just for the back, but when I find fabric that I really like at a REALLY good price I buy a bunch of it and put it aside for backings. One thing to think about is that your quilting stitches show a lot more on a solid back. If you want to hide them, use a print; to highlight them, use a solid.

I love, love, love using a solid backing. But I LAQ and adore how a solid muslin shows off the quilting stitches. Or any solid for that matter. But I most often back my own quilts with whatever whim comes my way that day. Many of my quilts are basically double sided. I have pieced backings with leftovers and orphan blocks from the front adding big blocks of fabric to fill it out. But I have a sizeable stash of wide backs right now that I will start digging into very soon. Even though the price of a wide back is shocking at first glance (averages around $14 per yard on Thousands of bolts), once you do the math you quickly realize it is much more cost efficient to go 108" wide. For a queen size you only need 3 yards. When using standard 44" wide fabric you need 7 or 8 then you have to piece it. The final price will often work out to be more when using a coordinating LQS quality fabric for the back and that isn't even considering the cost of your time to cut it, square it up and piece it and thread used. I am considering buying a bolt of 108" wide muslin just to have it on hand for backings and to use on fronts as well.

For me it depends on how it will be quilted. If its just a simple stipple or meander , I use a backing with a print . If its detailed custom work ... I use a solid or close to it... as I want the back to show off all those beautiful stitches.. it looks like a whole cloth quilt on the back side.

I use muslim a lot due to cost..It gives me the ability to finish more quilts...Otherewise I usually look at clearance fabric...Many times the back is unrelated to the front, but now the quilt has 2 completely diffeerent looks by being reversible

I do both. It just depends on my mood, I guess. I have liked the results every time...

Dina

I do the same.

I use what looks best with the quilt I am making. A lot of my vintage patterns look best with muslin, the more modern ones I usually use prints that match or go well with the top.

I use muslin, when I think it's appropriate. I use it alot when I'm making wall hangings, tablerunners and placemats. I've done some quilt backs with muslin, usually the unbleached as I like the look. I also do backs with patterned fabric that goes with the quilt and binding. A lot of the time I'll take leftovers from the front of the quilt and piece together a strip to go down the middle of the back, or off center, wherever I feel like putting it, and join it with other fabric to make a backer. I think this is a good touch too.

The busier the back the better I like it because my FMQ is still not great. Maybe some day I will use beautiful solids to highlight my stitching but for now, I like things it can blend into.

I liked to coordinate my backings with the quilt top. I haven't made that many, but the backings are usually prints or blenders. I have added a border to a backing to make it large enough. I have yet to use muslin, but it's probably a good choice for some quilts.

My last quilt was backed with tea stained muslin, to me it was very boring....I do prefer a print coordinating with the front. I do love to piece my backs, that wasy they are all but reversible, and you get two for one. Current throw quilt I am working on has well over a dozen calico prints, with all my left over fabric, will cut squares, don't know what size yet and make the back. My inner brain (?) says it will be cut, will see.

I haven't used muslin yet. I like to buy the 108" print backing fabric from Joanns and then use a little of it in the design on the front to coordinate it. There's not a lot of print choices in the extra wide fabric.

Wow, I just learned so much from this thread. I am a quilt topper right now because I actually wondered the same thing but never asked. Guess it is time to break out some different backs and finish up the quilts with all these great ideas. Thanks to everyone!!

Count me among the 90" wide Muslin users - too many quilts and not enough hours in the day to piece the backs. They are beautiful that way - but I just don't have time....which is why i've been experimenting with dyes - so maybe my future quilts will have matched dyed muslin backings.

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.

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.

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!

I used muslin on one quilt only. I usually coordinate. I also jazz up my backings by adding my leftovers to the back. Sometimes I just coordinate. I took a class on www.craftsy.com on quilt backings, for free, and have used her method a few times and like it. It has to go with the front of the quilt though. And I'm into modern quilts right this minute now, so her method is what is working for me. I say "right this minute" because I can change my mind the minute I see a quilt I just love and have to make.

But I'm taking her Modern Quilts class on Craftsy and love how she does modern quilting. I'm not into artsy quilts yet. Just modern looking ones. The ones where all the blocks are in one corner and there is blank space with solid fabric in the rest of the area. I just really think it's catchy looking. Try her free backing class. It'll introduce you to her and her style of teaching and her modern quilting. It's free. What can it hurt? It's a free video.

I like to make my quilt backs interesting or pretty - and sometimes completely double sided. Others are happy with a solid color even a sheet ;)

jcrow - I also enrolled in that backing class when it was free but haven't had a chance to watch it yet.