Buying bolt of fabric for backing
 

I'm thinking about buying a few bolts of fabric to be used as backing for my quilts. I'm in Canada and buying fabric is not easy, so I rely mostly on my stash. I buy everything online and have it ship to my US adress. However, I don't buy more than a yard or two of fabric so when the time comes to find backing for my quilt, I'm stuck. I do mostly lap quilt and find using solid fabric for this boring.
I don't want to buy a large lot of bolt, maybe three or four only. What kind of design and color would you choose for this? What would blend nicely with a large number of colors and design? Floral? Geometric?
Did you ever bought a bolt or a very large amount of yardage of fabric to serve as a go-to backing? Thanks!

I would choose a tone-on-tone in a white and off-white. Maybe also some geometric. I think the color choice would also depend on the colors you normally choose for quilts. If you choose a lot of bright colors, then I would say definitely white. If you choose more earthtones then get some cream colored backing.

I agree, if you are going to buy a lot for backing with no specific quilt in mind for it, I would go for a tone-on-tone. Some of the Stonehenge fabrics come in wide widths and plenty of them are neutral that would go with anything.

I find that I use a lot of the same few colors in many my quilts, so I would go by my stash in selecting colors if I was purchasing a large amount. As for style...marbles or other tonals/blenders generally go well with a lot of different prints. Stonehenge, Moda Marbles or Marble Swirls are nice, Wilmington Essentials are nice...subtle designs, so not too plain.

I think it really depends on what style of quilt you usually make!

I tend to make dark colored quilts, so I bought a whole bolt of 108" wide solid navy blue fabric that serves me very well. I also buy wide natural-colored muslin in bulk when I find a good deal on the better quality kind, so between those two options I usually can make do with what I have on hand. I do still buy printed fabric for specific quilt backs sometimes too.

I'd also like to get a bolt of wide flannel, I am thinking a medium grey color would work pretty well for my quilting habits. But so far I haven't found a bolt in quality I like at a price I'd be willing to pay.

I make mostly modern quilt with a lot of white, so I like to use something that will "pop" a bit for backing. I'm looking to buy some bolts from Textile creation; they have 15 yards bolt for 2-3$/yard. I'm thinking to get a crossgrain motif in grey, really tone on tone and grey is a great blender. I'm thinking about getting also a blue pearl bracelet (from Lizzy House) because I use a lot's of blue in my quilt. I'm also tempted by a large floral motif in green, grey and cream but I'm less sure about it. The price is not really the main issue (fabric here is sold for 15$/yard, so buying a 40$ bolt is quite economical). Space is more an issue, my studio is already full and I don't want to have a bolt sitting unused in a corner.

Are you looking for wide widths? I think not, since you said you do lap quilts.

A batik is always a good choice. You can find color variations without getting too wild.

I but natural muslin by the bolt for backs as well as Kona white and Kona black by the bolt because I use lots of these.

You might consider alternatives. Some people use inexpensive, lower thread count sheets. If you use a longarmer, check with her/him first to see if this is acceptable. Sometimes you can find twin flat sheets on sale for $2-3.

I agree with the tone on tone. For me it would be hard to buy too large of an amount but I did find this wonderful white on white with holly leaves so bought a lot - not sure but I think I bought about 10 yards because I like to make Christmas quilts. I bought a lot of flannels when it was on sale for $1.00 a yard at Joann's a few years ago - and have given a lot of it away because it was sitting there and just was never quite right for what I was making. So think of what you do make and go from there.

I love wide best quality muslin, both the bleached and unbleached varieties. They may seem dull, but quilting designs really show up on them and they don't detract from the quilt top. froggyintexas

I buy bolt ends out of the sales room based on themes like something that would go with civil War, Asian, 1930s, home decor or kids quilts etc. I also like yellow and sky blue.

I will when there is a good sale stock up. I normally go for colors that appeal to me since there is a good chance I will be making a quilt with them Normally the good sales don't really include a lot of neutrals, of course right now I have a shelf unit full of backings - at least yds up to 11/12. Another thing that works well is if you find one you really like and they have enough yardage, get enough for you back and the border. That way it will match perfectly, then you can pull those colors from your stash for piecing

Profannie, check out backsidefabrics.com They have very good prices. I love that I can get samples for free. That has made a tremendous difference in a couple of orders for me.

I don't know if you have a Lens Mill outlet in Quebec. Their selection is constantly changing but I have found some decent prices there.

I am a fan of having a bolt of top quality muslin in my stash. I use it for backings and the scraps/trimmings are great for using in other quilt tops.

when Connecting Threads put things on sale, 3-4 dollars a yard! I'm not real picky, I buy 6yd pieces for backs, in a medium tone and try to get something with little design.

I'll never live long enough to use all my stash. Therefore, occasionally, I'll just use various fabrics that compliments the quilt front and piece it together. Makes for a fun and interesting backing. I do realize this takes a bit more work and time.... but.

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You really need to know the kind of quilting you do before investing in backings. Tone on tone white or cream would be an excellent background fabric for me but I've never used either of those for a backing. When I look at every quilt that I've made, I can see that my backings are greens, blues, gray/blacks, tans or purples. I have always used wide backings, sheets or pieced backings so regular yardage for me for backings probably wouldn't work. Several years ago, I did invest in some large pieces at a $2 a metre tent sale and have never used even one of them as a backing. I have used them in all kinds of youth and Community quilts but not for their original purpose. For me, I know that bolts of wide backing in green, blue and gray would definitely be used here.

I never consider the back until I finish the front. I barely have room for my stash, sewing machine and me in my sewing room.

As others have mentioned. I have started buying whites and creams fabrics and good quality muslin for my backings. However I also then dye the fabric in colors that compliment the front. I use the ice cube method to dye them which gives them a marble or tie dye appearance that I really like. However I have just dyed the fabric a similar solid color as well (a quilt top with lots of blues I would probably dye the backing blue etc.)

I have bought a bolt for backs. I love it. I make lap size quilts also. I chose a neutral swirly pattern, I think it is by Northcott. But then I am mostly a batiks girl. I use extra blocks as a column on the back to make up the width of the quilt. Something else I have enjoyed having is a bolt of fusible web. I purchased that for a necktie quilt and had "tons" left. I am not down to less than a yard and plan to purchase more soon.

Very nice quilt! Love the backing. I'm too lazy (or too eager to finish my quilt) to make something like that. But it's a great way to use your stash.

Hum, you make me rethink about it. Shipping fof a bolt in US is about 20$, so it add a bit more than1$ to the 2$ price of the fabric... Connecting thread is having free shipping in Canada promotion right now, so at 3-4$, the difference is not much, and the variety would be greater.

I tend to buy 5-6 yds of nice quality tone on tone or prints when i see them on sale. I like color on the back of smaller quilts for kids or seniors. So go with whatever works for you. Buying 5-6 yds lets me use some of the backing fabric in the quilt top, so that the top and backing relate to each other.

I bought a colorful small striped fabric for baby quilts as most of them were colorful on the front side. Finally ran out of that fabric but found another one to replace it with lots of colors. Otherwise I've been using wide muslin for the backing and use a colored thread in the bobbin so there's a design on both sides. I also like to use up the leftover scraps on the back so no waste and it adds character to the backing.

I quit buying quilt backs a couple of years ago. I just piece them from my stash.

There is a fabric shop in Batesville AR named Marshalls Dry Goods. They have fabric at a reasonable price. If you are going to order fabric by the bolt maybe you would like to check them out. I think all you would have to do is set up a account with them which is free. You can google it. Hope that helps a little.

I buy 108inch width backing from Fabric Shack, on line, sometimes flat sheets on line, sometimes fleece from Ikea.

[QUOTE=HillCountryGal;7022783]I'll never live long enough to use all my stash. Therefore, occasionally, I'll just use various fabrics that compliments the quilt front and piece it together. Makes for a fun and interesting backing. I do realize this takes a bit more work and time.... but.]

Love your backs!!! That is what I do, but looks like you do it better!....:').....

I buy fabric by the bolt from fabrics 4 less in California. Their prices are excellent for the named brand fabrics. Ive purchased various colors and for the wide backing Ive purchased both white tone on tone and a beigh tone on tone.
Bolts do take up room but having the wide fabric on hand is always handy for backing. They really do have beautiful fabrics! Hill country, I really do like the idea of almost a reversible quilt! Wonderful idea for the backs of quilts!

I alot of times just use some of my large yardage pieces of fabrics for the backings. I do have some wide backing but, don't like to use it for lap quilts. I am making lap quilts, almost twin size.

I have become a recent convert to muslin....washes beautiful and feels so soft.

Have you considered piecing the backings? This would solve the problem of "boring" backings. Check the Internet for ideas on how to do this esily. Try Googling "pieced quilt backs" and add "tutorials" if you don't get results that are helpful.

I buy full bolts of good quality muslin that is 90 or 120 inches wide for backs. I just love walking to my stash area knowing that I have a back already waiting for me. One of local quilt stores now is carrying a collection of prints in those widths. I got a white on white for a king sized quilt just recently but there were many other choices for other quilts in my future. Bottom line. if you can find what you like by the bolt, I would recommend buying it.

I get regular e-mails from Thousands of Bolts and they sometimes have sales on their wide back quilts or short cuts. Their regular prices are pretty good too, I've also used Backside quilting mentioned before, they have frequent sales too. By getting a couple yards of wide backs you should have enough for two lap quilts and not have to do any seaming for width. I've used my left overs for other projects so nothing gets wasted.

http://www.thousandsofbolts.com/inde...F1F88142CD8162

I'd consider a wide bolt of a color I use a lot - a tone on tone, or muted print. But I'm thinking more and more about QAYG, but I'm trying to think of how you can do that with a wide back.