How much do I dislike make quilt backs?
 

So much that I have affectively avoided it for 2 days by sewing other small things hotpads and coasters. Today I managed to avoid it by cleaning my sewing room.......yep I went there I cleaned the whole room just to avoid piecing the queen size back to a quilt I need to get turned into the LA this week. I think I'll go clean my kitchen now.

Yes, quilt backs can be the pits, but just think, you're almost done!Go for it!

sounds like you need to treat yourself to wide quilt backs. I would check with your long arm quilter. Many have wide quilt backs on hand.

We must be cousins.

Isn't it amazing how clean our houses can get when we don't want to do the next step in our sewing projects! When I finally bite the bullet and just do whatever I'm avoiding it amazes me how simple the project really is!

I see you have found your "things I would rather do list". I know I really don't want to do something when I dust instead of doing that thing I am avoiding.... and I really ... really dislike dusting.

Like you, I do not like making quilt backings. I have to make one tomorrow. Wish I were more like you. My sewing room really needs cleaning. I'll make the backing and then clean my sewing room which I do at the end of each project. I don't know which will be worse, making the backing or cleaning up my sewing room which looks like Eleanor Burns has invaded it with her scraps.

There are so many wonderful wide backing fabrics available now often less expensive than purchasing regular yardage why are you putting yourself through something you dislike so much?

Just sew a Ten inch square row together and add your large pieces to it. sew into a tube/cut...then your done.

Good to know I am in good company :-). I do use the wide quilt backs when I can find something that works with the top. I know there is always muslin but I didn't want it for this quilt it's all batiks it was just to stark. So my sewing room is clean kitchen is clean and I'm part way through the backing, one of the reason I hate them is having to get on the floor to measure the long pieces. It's just awkward and the same reason why my sewing room gets cleaned before I do borders too.

I hate piecing backings AND making/sewing on borders.

Shoot honey, go to Backsidefabrics.com They are absolutely fantastic--price, service and they will even send you samples. No I am not associated with the company in any way--just a very satisfied customer. I will never again sew together 40 something wide strips to make a queen (or larger) quilt back.

Have you seen any of the beautiful wide backs that are batiks? Some really gorgeous ones!

sure they're boring but quilt backings are such an easy way to destash efficiently!

when would you like to come help me clean my sewing room????
I told the cleaniing lady she didn't have to go in there, wish she would.

isn't pcing a backing a bear of a job?

I've never made a backing Would you explain your process about the tube/cut? thank you

When ever I get a coupon at Joann's that I don't need for something else I purchase enough backing fabric for a quilt. Even if I don't use it as a backing it's a great way to get lots of yardage at the best price. As a hand quilter I hate having to quilt through yet another seam. It also provides me with borders that don't need piecing to get the needed length.

Get on the 15 freeway and come north about 20 miles to my place. I have at least 3 charity tops that need the backings sewn. I can't afford the wide backing so I am always forced to piece my backing using leftovers from the quilt top. I use to enjoy the challenge but my mind is NOT as sharp as it once was. Just haven't been in the mood to tackle the backings. So you are NOT alone !! :)

Fabric.com often has some great batik wide backings.

I don't mind doing backings too much. I don't like the basting step. I used to hate/fear binding but I'm getting over it, now I just don't like the hassle of trying to get a decent sandwich built!

Don't get on the floor to measure long pieces......fold in half and x2 or 4 or how many folds you make.......

I don't mind making the backings. It's the sandwiching part I hate. I have a nice table I bought at Sams to use, but I have so much trouble getting all the layers to line up straight. It is a little easier since I spray baste now. If we lived closer together, I would make your backings and you could sandwich my quilts! ;-)

I just use the widest, decent muslin I can get, if I have to piece, then I do so, but I usually don't have to.

Here is how I piece a quilt back using regular width fabric:

I dislike it so much that I just choose from the narrow selection of plain colored extra-wide backing fabric at the LQS.

I'm not cheap when it comes to backing fabric. I want my quilt backing fabric to be a wow, I love that fabric! I buy yardage of fabric just for a backing for one quilt when I plan my quilt. The top may be made from scraps but the back will be new.

I don't mind making the back, I often use extra blocks from the front, so it becomes a simplier look. What I mind is sandwiching them. Even with glue basting, spreading them out just seems like a hassle. I have two tops and two backs ready to go. One of these days. But then I have a hard time quilting in the summer. Once cooler weather sets in, I can quilt again.

Most of the quilts I have made so far (19 and I am blushing) are baby quilts. I limit those to WOF in width to avoid the whole need to "piece the backing" question. And for anything bigger, I do buy wide quilt backings. Here is a tip - the scraps left over from those wide backing fabrics are excellent for binding (fewer pieces). It is a win-win. Don't you think?

I won't baste any other way but with Elmer's Washable School Glue. I have tried every basting way known to quilters and this is the fastest and easiest. Even better then having a longarmer baste the quilt for me.

I think I enjoy the back more. I get to use my imagination on piecing the back out of the extra fabric. And I noticed this past winter that the quilts I made for all my family members they have what we call the back as the top. Made me feel good that they enjoy my 'imagination' -vs- already established quilt patterns.

Have you tried John Flynns method of piecing the back on the diagonal. Only takes about 20" more than length of quilt. Can stretch 44" fabric to about 60"

Totally agree with you, thousandsofbolts.com have just increased their range and now have a super selection.

Thanks for sharing this site - beautiful backing fabric! Wondering about their batting - have you tried their brand?

I thought it was just me. I finished two quilt tops in January and have been putting off making the backs. I have been psyching myself up for the last week or so to finish them. I am almost ready to do it.

I agree with you about making the backs but to get exactly what you want you have to go with just regular yardage. Right now I am going shopping to get fabric for the back of my granddaughter's quilt. I want a backing that will be reversible so if they want a change, they can just flip the quilt over. They are using it as a breadspread also. It's for a double bed for a 10 year old and a 2 year old to share. I think the bigger challenge than making the quilt back will be for my daughter to get these two to share a room in harmony. That is quite an age span but space is an issue so that's just the way it will be. As kids we always had to share a bed/room and thought nothing of it. It will be interesting. Just wanted to let you know you are not alone on doing backings. I also machine quilt my own quilts so I have to get down on the floor and baste it too. I'm 69 so that can be interesting - why is it that it is so hard to get back up when you get older or is it just me??????????????????

I don't mind the backing as much since I started tearing my fabric rather than cutting it for the one big long seam. I hated trying to wrestle that much fabric to get it flat and narrow enough by folding it to use my rotary cutter or mark it using scissors. One measurement, one snip on the selvedge and tear it across. I haven't pieced backings yet. Will have to try that sometime.
I used to hate sandwiching too before I started to glue baste because it was so hard not to get wrinkles in the backing. Now I put the bat down first which is less slippery and put the glue on that and then put the backing on top of that spreading it smooth with my hands. No wrinkles and much easier to position.

Another tip I picked up from somewhere is to take the double length of fabric , fold it together right sides together. Start seaming from the fold to the opposite end on one side. Make a very wide seam so you can trim off the selvage once you are done. When the seam is done and the selvage is trimmed, use your rotary cutter to cut off the fold. Then you can open the whole piece and you have a centered seam backing.

Me too, that's why I buy the Wide Quilts backs. Thousand of Bolts, Connecting Threads, Marshall Dry Good, Fabric.com
are just some of the online site that see these at a good price.

I buy the 108" wide fabric unless I want to do a creative back. I wish I would clean out my stash...I organize it, mess it up and then try to clean it up again...

Genius..............one of those, why didn't I think of that moments?! Thanks for the link.

I can't say that I don't disagree with you. As much as I love quilting, making the tops, quilting them, the part I dislike the most is sandwiching the quilt and making the backing, so I feel your pain. Although I probably would prefer piecing the backing than sandwiching the quilt. There's always something, but maybe I can put together your backings and you could come clean my sewing room. LOL.