Hey guys, i'm making my first dresden quilt, and i have a question. I'm appliqueing them onto a background square of fabric. What i'm wondering is this. Should i then cut the extra background fabric out on the back of the square, so there isn't so many layers of fabric....or, should i leave it there, for better stability. I'm thinking, that with the blades having so many seams on the bias, i might be better to leave it there? Thanks guys :)

I'd leave it, but have seen it done both ways.

I look at it much the same as foundation piecing, and I'd leave the background in for stability as you mentiion.
Of course, if your background were some vibrant color that showed through your dresden plate "leaves," then I'd trim the backing away.

Now that was a quick answer Megs! lol Have you done one before and experienced the pain of getting them to lay flat? lol I had to adjust sooooo many seams, but it's coming out good. I'm thinking i might be best to leave it there too, just because this one was a struggle to get to lay flat

That sounds perfect, i like your quote about the broom lol

I leave it on my quilts too.

This quilt is on my bucket list, so it's not good for me to hear frustrations about getting it to lay flat! I definitly wouldn't cut the back out. With my luck my scissors would slide and I'd slice the quilt!!

Barb I left mine on....just cause it wasn't to bulky for me and I pressed all my seems in one direction which hellped it to lay flat....I invisabled stiched mine one by machine...went pretty fast and was fairly easy to do with the blind hem stich set as low as it would go....good luck dear....:-)

I also left my back on. I pressed my seams open and did invisible applique' stitch.

I guess I'm the rebel. After I completed the quilt top I went back and cut away the background fabric. I hand quilted it and didn't want the extra bulk. I didn't have any problems.