Backing for wall hanging
 

Hi all,

I am turning my sister's wedding dress into a wall hanging quilt but I've never made a hanging quilt before. The top is satin and I'm using a wool batting. I plan on using a sleeve across the top for hanging because I've read that will help maintain the shape.

What I'm not sure about is what type of fabric for the batting. I could use satin of course - I've found a white that is a decent match (can't match the blue for anything) but I'm not sure I should use satin. First it seems overkill, and second I would think I should use something more durable as it will rub against the wall. Cotton (broadcloth or muslin?) would be my usual go to but it seems a bit dull. Would that even matter? I mean it'll be on the back and never seen. Would a batik be better?

I'm torn. Any advice?

Thanks

Just a suggestion... maybe cotton in the blue? Cotton would help to stabilize and add a little structure. Would love to see it!

You mean "backing" not "batting" correct? I would use a cotton for the backing.

Even if you can't match the blue exactly, I think a cotton print that has white and blue close to it would be my first choice. Of course it would help if it was all wedding-y and such. Can you describe the shade something that is close? I have a fairly large piece of white background wedding fabric that has a couple of colors of blue but they are sort of time specific too -- but since it is wedding related probably good enough. How big of a piece would you be needing?

I would suggest cotton for the backing too. Please share a picture when you are finished. Would love to see it.

Are you just using a piece of the dress as the wall hanging or have you made something with the fabric from the dress?

No. I'm using wool batting. Since the top is satin the quilt won't be washed and the wool provides the puff and structure I want.

We ripped the dress apart and I've cut blocks from it.

Not sure how big it'll be yet. My blocks are cut 12x12 but I suspect I'll be trimming them down a bit and I don't know how many I'll use. I'll keep your offer in mind though. Thanks. :-)

I'll start looking for that piece. I used it for a cousin's wedding quilt but that was 20-25 some years ago! So it might be bigger in my mind than in reality.

I could make a point for either satin or a cotton backing but I think satin, while it may be over kill, would be classy and go with the front.

On a side note, when I do a larger wall hanging now a days or one that will have some weight to it, I do two sleeves. One at the top to hang it from and a small thin one at the bottom to keep it straight, square and flat. I get the DH to rip a thin piece of wood (1/4 to maybe 3/8) then sand it smooth and slip it in . The edges never move or curl .... just a thought.

eparys - you read my mind. I was thinking the same thing. Especially since I'm leaning towards sewing the blocks together directly instead of sashing in between (I'm doing a hybrid quilt as you go approach).

I'd probably opt for cotton or even a poly blend for backing. Poly won't be as heavy and you've already got weight with the satin. Instead of putting that amount of satin from the dress on the back where it won't be seen, I'd tuck the rest of that dress away for other projects--perhaps a christening dress for later? Perhaps Christmas stockings?--something of sentimental significance.

Excellent idea. This really works.

For batik backing, I rather like this one:
https://www.equilter.com/product/252...le-batik-white

I found the piece I was thinking of, the blues are definitely period and are soft and more to the grey or purple than the cobalt or bright. Don't know how to send pictures in a PM so here it is!

If you are quilting on a frame set up, where you move the machine, then the below info doesn’t apply.

If You are quilting on a domestic or sit down- (moving the quilt, not the machine) then I would suggest being very diligent about basting if you use the satin for the back. I’ve found that satin tends to slide around a fair amount, even with spray basting. You can see this happening on the top and work to keep it aligned and wrinkle/pleat free but since you don’t see the back it’s easy to get a tuck or pleat. When I’m working with a fabric that is likely to slide a lot I like to spray baste, let sit overnight to set up and then pin baste as well, being careful to check both top and bottom after basting to make sure all is well before I start quilting.

it might also be easier to control the backing satin if you use a layer of thin cotton batting with a scrim under the wool batting. Wool batting is a dream to work with, but it is fluffier and more flexible than cotton batting which gives the fabric more opportunity to develop wrinkles while you’re working with it. Spray basting the backing to the cotton batting and letting it set up overnight would help to keep the fabric from slipping and getting wrinkles.

if you do use a double batt, I have had good luck spray basting the back to the cotton batting, then spray basting the wool batting to the cotton and then spray basting the top fabric to the wool using 505.

Hope you post pics of the quilt when you’re done it sounds lovely!

Rob

Wow Rob- thanks for all that info. I have to admit, I am leaning towards a cotton backing though and since I want to minize pin holes I'm definitely planning on using spray basting.

if you go with cotton kona cotton and other brands have tons of shades of blue