Diagonal Backing
 

Has anyone done this method for their backing? It’s my understanding this is a good method to use if your short on backing, and I’m facing that dilemma on a quilt I want to finish up in the next week.

http://www.multi-patch.com/html/diag...calculator.php

Yes it works well. I have used it even on small quilts that a fat quarter won't quite fit.

I use this method all the time...mostly for 50" x50" baby blankets. Looks great and saves fabric.

Thank you for the post and the link! I’d not heard of this method!

Yes it works well, pay attention to the size limitations. It doesn't work for king sized quilts.

Are you sure? This looks king size......

http://www.multi-patch.com/html/diag...example_2.html

I've found it gets difficult to keep the diagonal correct for larger quilts. Now I usually go with horizontal seams instead.

Thanks everyone, I’m gonna give it a try and see how it works out......it wouldn’t be the first time I learned an expensive lesson!

And for those who would like a worksheet......

https://jinnybeyer.com/wp-content/up...-Worksheet.pdf

I think John Flynn teaches that method of making a diagonal seam on backings. I think he explains it on his website, and he pioneered that method.

This is new to me, thank you for posting that link.

I have used it 2 or 3 times and I love it.

I learned that method on Simply Quilts about 20 years ago, I haven't used it in years though but there are tutorials on the technique.

Learned this method from John Flynn site and have had good luck with it.

Have used it for years -- works great.

Yes that is king size, but it is 2 sections sew together - 4 rectangles.

Yes, I've done it before. However, didn't the way to calculate it. Thanks for the reference.

Has anyone used the multipatch calculator recently? It worked great and saved me tons of fabric. Now I just get a blank web page. Also, I find that the Jinny Beyer pdf works in some browsers and/or pdf viewers and not others. What is the current experience of others? Has anyone bought the John Flynn app that automates his calculations?

John Flynn came up with this method decades ago when his sister asked him to figure out how she could make a backing fit her quilt and she didn't have enough fabric. It works great. I have used it many times.

https://www.flynnquilt.com/free-lessons.htm This explains how it done and gives a formula.

Read how to weed whack a rag quilt too!

I don’t know how I missed this post in September but I’m glad I found it this morning. Thank you Onebyone for the link to the backing formula. I’ve printed off a hard copy for future use.

I lay the backing on the carpet when I have to cut the diagonal, and use a chalk line to mark it. If I'm worried about stretching I stay stitch either side of the chalk line before cutting.

Like jmoore, I missed the Sept posting...thanks for reviving it. And thanks to all who posted links. I've heard about this method but have never had the guts to try it. Now is the time, thanks again.

Thanks for sharing. I hadn't thought of that.

bkay

I think what peckish meant by size limitations is after a certain size the savings in yardage is negated and you would use more yardage/fabric piecing a diagonal back than you would piecing it in more traditional manner. I couldn't access your link but I am familiar with the John Flynn method and his formula for figuring out how much yardage you would need to use. The link one by one posted is the one I know about and yes this method has been around for at least 10 years if not more.

A diagonal seam on the quilt backing will save fabric when the width of the quilt back is wider than the fabric width, but by no more than 50%. For normal 42-44 inch fabric, this will save you fabric on quilts backs no wider than just over 60”. If you have 60” fabric, it will work up about 90”. If you have 90” fabric, it would theoretically work up to a king, but good luck cutting a diagonal on a piece of fabric that big. It is really intended to save fabric when the backing width is a little wider than the fabric, saving the need to buy two full lengths of fabric through the magic of geometry.

While I love extra-wide backs, I usually end up piecing my backs in some form. Sometimes it's all one piece, more and more I'm incorporating more fabrics than one in the back. Geometry can be fun stuff! I've used the diagonal concept to piece fabric when my scrap had enough area but not the right shape.

I don't know if she was a little short or if this is just a little bit of fun, but I really like what IrishRose2 did in this back, perfect for when that piece is just a little too short!
https://www.quiltingboard.com/quilti...ml#post8303588

Beware, I love wild and crazy backs anyway and some quilts lend themselves to wilder and crazier than others! I took that idea and tried to replicate it here, but I just didn't put the right trim on the right piece to offset the blocks and still have the ends meet, but it was using that concept that I used these two 3 yard pieces for a twin back.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/quilti...ml#post8312006

Is anyone else having trouble getting this page to load is it just my computer?

IowaStitcher, I am also unable to open the Multi-Patch link. :-(

It looks like the Multi-Patch website no longer exists. Try the links posted in posts # 9 and 20. They should still work.