Diagonally pieced backing to save on fabric
 

Hi all,

I'm sure I've seen other threads addressing this, but I saw this video on the Quilts for Survivors Facebook page today and found it to be a great visual for how to take a long WoF piece and do a diagonal cut to make it wider so that your backing can all be the same fabric. They use what looks like a large directional print and they address how to make it look good, too. Hope this link/method will be helpful for others, too!

https://m.facebook.com/groups/116336...ibextid=lURqYx

John Flynn, who makes the Flynn frame, has promoted this idea for years. I can see how it could help in some situations, but there also some serious drawbacks to watch out for. Long seams on the bias are going to stretch unless you're extremely careful. Just cutting a long seam on the bias can be problematic, since our workspaces and cutting tools are generally designed for handling smaller pieces, and it's much easier to fold and cut something on the grain. (Notice how many people are involved in cutting this piece in the video.) You also need to be aware of the math used to determine whether your fabric will be big enough for your quilt back when it is pieced this way. John Flynn's instructions can be found here. I'd be interested to hear whether anyone here has actually used this method, and how they liked it.

Thanks for the extra info, dunster. :-) I haven't tried it, but I have often been frustrated by not having fabric wide enough for my quilt backing. I will certainly do my research before I rush into this method thanks to your sensible comments!

I've made diagonal backings and used them successfully several times.

Me, too. Especially great for smaller quilts. As long as you don’t stretch the fabric while sewing the diagonal seam you’ll have no problems with it at all. You may need a long hallway to slice longer lengths of fabric though, lol.

I have used this method once and was pleased with the results. After quilting, everything laid nicely, seam barely visible.

Just make sure there is enough c fic to start with.

I've used it successfully, too.
bkay

I used it for a toddle quilt. And matched the large scale print.

I use this method a lot . Usually 58" wide is what I end up with. I fold and pin the fold then cut. I use a 6t folding table. I have made two of this type backing and sewed them together but mostly if I need very large backing I buy the wide. I like using the tube method for making backing from yardage. There will be two seams for the tube method. Good for two different fabrics.

I've used it a couple of times when I didn't have enough of the fabric I wanted for the backing to just do straight cuts. It worked fine. As others have said, just be careful of the bias when sewing the seam.

Onebyone- what is the tube method?

Rob

does this cause problems if you long arm quilt it? I usually like the seam to be horizontal (if possible with the quilting design) to avoid any wonkiness caused by build up of a seam while rolling or extra stretch due to backing not running length of fabric on the frame.

The LA I use sometimes has never mentioned a problem when I use this method. She is a good friend so I'm sure she would have told me to stop it. LOL

No. I had zero issues quilting my diagonally-pieced backs.

This looks like a good idea. I wonder if there is a video that isn't on facebook.

(I like this one the best) Here is one on YouTube: Learn how to piece you back diagonally
Here is the pdf for the worksheet: Jinny Beyer Diagonal backing worksheet

Here is another one on YouTube: Diagonally Pieced quilt backing

I have used it with great success and have been able to use stash fabrics. I use an even feed foot and careful to keep diagonal seam from dragging while sewing.

The tube quilt back method is one I learned a long time ago at a quilt class. I have the printed hand out but have not seen it anywhere online. Maybe someone here knows about it and if it is available. There is a youtube video but it's rushed and she tears the fabric. Same results just a different method.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WJt...avenlyStitches

The way I was taught was to use yardage twice the length of the quilt top. Add 1/2 yard to the total . Open the fabric and fold in half (if using two different fabric cut each the same length) Cut into two equal length pieces. Sew the two pieces together right sides together. Now you have a tube. Fod the tube in half longways seam to seam. Crease the fold .Unfold. Cut along the fold (video shows tearing it) Only cut the top layer not the bottom. Now you have pieced backing with no middle seam.
In class we each made a mini backing from a rectangle scrap of fabric. This assured us we wouldn't be making a mess from a lot of fabric. LOL

I made a quick mini from a scrap so it's not proportional but shows the steps.

.

Forgot to say the tube method will work for quilt tops about 88 inches wide using regular size yardage.
The extra length is important for the backing to be larger then the top. Try it for a small quilt and then adjust as you like for bigger ones.

Thank you, Gemm. Very interesting method. When I make baby/ toddler quilts I often end up with 45 - 48" width and have to piece. It looks like this method will work well and with less waste than what I've been doing. My eyes crossed at the math involved, but the Jenny Beyer worksheet will make it much easier.

I never understood why all the math needed to make the diagonal backing. Cut a length of yardage longer then the quilt top, cut corner to corner on the bias, pull one piece to line up with the other piece and sew them together. I can eyeball the width and length needed to be bigger then the quilt top.

Ok people I didn’t know this was a thing! I also didn’t know why you would do this? But for backing a quilt!! Brilliant! Never to old to teach a old dog new tricks. Thanks for sharing.

Onebyone - I understand what you are staying, but when I go to the diagonal method I am usually desperaate and I have backing pieces that are close to the right size but are small so I do the calculations (I now use one of the online calculators but have been doing this so long that I started when I had to calculate using the formula by hand). By calculating, I can figure out which piece to use that will waste the least amount of fabric.

In order to minimize the bias stretchhing, I starch the fabric when I iron it to make it more stable.

This is very timely! I finished a chandelier quilt top yesterday and the fabric I have to back it with isn't quite big enough. I printed the worksheet and I'm thinking I do have enough backing fabric after all. :D Yay!

I have also used this method several times and had no trouble with it. Mostly for baby quilts because they seem to end up about 45-48” wide, but also for a couple of larger quilts. I love that I can use a single backing fabric and have almost no waste/leftover fabric when I’m done.

It doesn’t cause any trouble on the long arm frame because the seam is distributed evenly across the width of the quilt, so there is no buildup of fabric on the take up rail because of the seam.

I use Pfaff machines with IDT, so I rarely pin, but diagonal backs are the biggest exception and I do pin them. I also starch before cutting. To help with the long cut I usually fold my fabric perpendicular to the diagonal fold at least once. It just helps manage the bulk.

@SuzSLO I love how you’ve matched the print on your truck fabric! I’ve been tempted to try that but never been brave enough. Maybe next time!

I can’t say enough good about this method and recommend it often. It saves me from having a bunch of long leftover strips in my scrap bin and let’s me use smaller cuts that I have in stash for quilt backs. The best place to test it out is on a baby quilt.

One of my diagonal backs is here, along with some links. The links may be inactive now. https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...k-t130313.html

Thank you for posting the Facebook page. The visual was fantastic and easy to understand. Now I know how to do it.