I do the same thing. It makes for fewer mistakes in color coordination.

One thing that Feline Fanatic brought up that I think is a very good point - if you are going to do some "out there" quilting, it's best to use a plain backing so the quilting will show. I've put a lighter neutral shade on a black with bright colored top because I was doing a lot of black thread quilting and I did want it to show on the back. A wild print on the back is great if you don't want the quilting to show - there are no seams or corners in the back to hide stops and starts -so all that shows very well.

I do make plenty of quilts that I'm more particular about the backing as they are made for someone specific, but the majority of what I make - I make because i want to and have no idea who is going to end up with it. And it is better to have them finished than "perfect" so when I get a backload of tops (like 10 -15) sitting in a pile, I will pick backing from stash that is good enough and get them out to the LA to get them quilted.

I have been know to buy the backing first and build the quilt around it. Or I take the quilt top with me when looking for backing. I don't trust the pictures online and my hubby is excellent picker-outer! I always take him with me.

I have one backing that I am not pleased with - too bright, but I'm using it. It's for a bed and my son would never leave a bed unmade, so basically it won't be seen.Why use it? I live on a pension, I don't want more fabric in storage, etc. My son and his wife are hunters so I can tell them I used it because 'Hunter orange'.

Everything on my quilt has to match. That’s just how I am.

Same here. I will usually buy wide fabric for big quilts (full size bed or bigger) that blend well with the front. On smaller quilts, I try to use my stash and have done several pieced backs that I really like.

Take 2.5 yards of each of those fabrics and put them together with bat between and make a whole cloth quilt. If you don’t particularly like it, donate it. Someone will love it. You will still have 1.5 yards of each fabric to use as stach or cut into 2.5 strips and make a jelly roll quilt or rug or a bowl. So many things out there on Pinterest or you tube. Use the internet to come up with ideas! Use it up. Just my 2 cents.

If I'm not sure about the fabric, I buy 1/4 yard, and take it home to see if it "works." I can always use the 1/4 yard for church projects.
On my last quilt, it needed queen size backing plus the 4" for the LAer. SO, I went to Walmart, bought a cotton sheet for $11. Took it home, washed it and the LAer was very pleased with the sheet fabric. It was soft and worked up well.

I'm with you, Cathy! Linda Hahn of Frog Hollow Designs was a guest speaker at our guild and she's not troubled by backing matches either. She found a darling frog print and bought the whole bolt. Then she backed everything with it!

Our bee does only charity quilts. I am the main "backer" and I can't afford to angst over the backs. I generally can find a good match within our donation fabrics or my stash but I can't spend much time when often I have 30 or more tops every month to find backings for. Linda's presentation really was freeing for me!

I am particular about my backings, however, I have learned never buy backing and sometimes even borders until the quilt is finished and take the quilt with me. I have bought as many as three borders for mone quilt. I know that is part of the reason my stash is big. I do try to get a backing that coordinates with the front in some way. It doesnt have to be exact same colors. I was glad I got over having to use something in the quilt as backing. Goodluck on finding the right fabrics.