Does anyone know how much 108" backing fabric is needed to finish quilting a 108 X 108 quilt?

Here's an online calculator. Hope it helps. :D

http://www.quiltshops.com/calculator/calculator.htm

As a hint you might want to title your future threads with something relevant.

Seeing Chickiez in the subject line, makes it appear that you are doing a GSO (General Shout Out) to Chickiez, meaning that you want to talk to that specific person. Many will just pass the thread by, as they are not Chickiez.

For this thread, you might have titled it "Fabric Required for Backing??" or something similar.

You'll probably notice your threads will get more responses if you title them in this way. Good Luck!

also this would have more views if you put it in the "Main" Section instead of "Block of the Month and Week"

Yep, what they all said (about posting location).

I could write a whole thing about how to buy, cut and attach an extra .75 yard of the same fabric so it would be large enough.

But maybe you're better off just buying 120" backing fabric.

Most is 108" wide, but if you Google it, you'll find it. Not as great a selection as 108", but they are out there.

Here's a white one (on sale):
http://www.crafttownfabrics.net/cgi-...b_ri_wht_5115r

Personally, I'd piece the back - buy the 3 yards of the 108" backing you like, and then pick an additional one or two fabrics that compliment it - maybe used in the making of the quilt top. Or use up all the scraps you have left over (blocks, fabric pieces).

If you piece as in the diagram - it's just two cuts - you don't have to worry about seams down the center or too near the edges. It's purposely off center. You have to add at least 8" to the dimensions, might as well make them pretty.

I think that is a good idea

ditto to MTS ... I've done this before and added in some extra blocks leftover from the front.

well, I am a long arm quilter, and 108 fabric isnt going to work with a quilt that measures 108-you need at least 4 inches on all sides in order to have enough backing to go around.
Also, I will say dont make a skimpy 1/4 inch seam in the back, either, i like to make a 1 inch seam in the back, and press it open, that way theres not alot of bulk.and thats personal preference i guess, one more thing- the seam should go horizontal in your quilt, not vertical, it DOES make a difference, hope this helps.
katz

You might want to take a look at this quilt .... you'll see it is pieced much like what MTS has suggested.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-156943-1.htm#4336400

And how exactly would one expand a 108"x108" one-piece backing to 116"x116" without a vertical seam?

Here's my take on that - I usually, if possible, do do horizontal seams because I don't like to have seams showing in the turndown (top 22" of the quilt back).
However, if aesthetically I want/need it, then my long-armers need to deal with it and make it work. ;-)

Good thought on the non-seam of the turndown. Though most of my quilts are square too ... and I never know which way is the official up, down or sideways.

Agreed, 108" is not going to work for same size quilt so MTS has offered a great solution. Also as a LAQ you can work with back seams going any direction.

oops, actually, I had really intended to upload this image instead.
sorry.

The first cut can go either way, but the main goal being to keep the seams away from the center or quarter-line in either direction - as these are most commonly used to fold a quilt.

chickiez hasn't done much posting on this board - so maybe she doesn't hang out here very much -

That said, I was wondering what the topic was going to be about.

Thanks all!! I am new to posting so not sure about how to go about it like you ladies do. I'm learning though, with your help!! Thanks again for all the info.
Chickie Z.

Thank you!!

Thank you so much!!! I'm a visual person & this really did it for me!!!! Will go check out the site you suggested!!

Yes it does!!! Thanks a bunch!!

Awesome!!! Thank you.

Hi, I don't post much because I'm not very good at it, but I try. Thanks for all the info as I really appreciate it.

Oh, I thought it was going to be a topic about chickens. How disappointing.

I knew you were newer ... thus why I gave you the hint, for future threads.

I was looking for chickens, too, but this turned out to be a very helpful thread. I'm taking notes on piecing large quilt backs. Might as well get it right the first time. Thanks, Everyone!

I would think about 3 1/4 yards ...that would give you a 4 1/2" overlap on top and bottom

...BUT...

you would need a strip down each side also. Perhaps something that is on the top of your quilt could be added....

Just a thought.....

I usually plan (if I plan at all) to have extra blocks or strips that match the top just to add to the back. If you don't have extra from the top you can add your strips with extra backing fabric. Buy 4 yards of the backing. Cut 2 12" strips and sew together end to end. Then sew those strips onto the side of the 3 1/4 yard piece. Don't forget to cut your selvages off so they are not part of your seams. It won't be as pretty as MTS method, but it will work. Whe I need to piece the back I try to do something similar to MTS, but it's not always feasible.

3 yards

Lol, I thought the same. Thought we would see pics of little chicks.
That said, I hope someone was able to answer your original question. I don't like piecing backs with different fabrics, just my personal choice. I like to take three pieces, one for the middle and one down each side of that, seamed together and cut to size.

This reply has taught me so much! My quilting instructor never told me why she didn't like to put seams down the middle of the quilt. Had she explained it as you did, I could convince my Mom not to sew two pieces of fabric together vertically for the back. Will pass this on to her with hopes she'll reconsider her backing.

Each post usually has something new or interesting that I learn about.

Great visual and idea - thanks a lot!

I am not sure whether you already have 108 x 108 or whether it is possible to buy it longer....if so, you would really only need one seam to make it wider since you could get the length longer (buy 3 1/4 like someone else posted)

it dose not work

116" would be better - 3-1/4 yards would be 116" x 117".

ChristianLane has what they call "Fatbacks" that size and they're gorgeous - for about $50.

http://www.christianlanequilters.com/fabriquilt.html