Low Cost Backing Fabric
 

We've heard it before ---I finished a BOM at my local quilt store, and now that it's done, I'm just not lovin' it!. It is a batiq quilt and honestly, the blocks were pretty while I was putting it together, but the quilt is just not. I need to finish and I'll give to a family member. What is the best resource online for low cost, but still good quality, backing fabric. I'm just not that motivated to look for something great and spend much money on it, but want something that will last for the person who gets it.

When I need a low cost option for a backing.. I premium Kona muslin at Jo 'anns. When I am at a loss for what to use my 50 percent off coupon , I pick up 3 yards . With the coupon it works aout to be about $7.00 yard for 108 wide. The premium muslin is quite nice, but there are some lower cost options as well. They do have some printed wide backings for about the same price , but the quality is not the same as the premium muslin.

You can get beautiful 108" quilt backings at marshalldrygoods.com for $7.99 a yard--with great service.

You know, I was thinking of Muslin, but didn't know where to find any that is good quality. I'll have to try the Kona muslin at Joannes. Thanks!

There are some online options for printed backings. Also my aunt used a california king size flat sheet as a backing fabric, and you can get those as fancy, high thread count as you like. But I agree with Lori S^ with the Kona muslin. good luck.

I just finished a quilt today and used muslin for the first time. I bought it JoAnn's and it's the Kona's. I loved it! I love the feel of the fabric, the softness.

Great if you are quilting it yourself. Most longarm quilters do not like working with sheets as backing because of the thread count. It can cause thread tension problems.

I use sheets for backing all the time and I don't have tension or thread issues. I'm quilting on my Juki TL98Q and sheets are just not a problem. I really think that sheets for backing often get bad reviews and it's been my experience that the "problems" just aren't there. I can buy a decent sheet for $10 and I would be lucky to find fabric at $10 a metre and any back is going to be at least five metres.

Shelbie, I think you hit the nail on the head. If you can use sheets w/o problems, they are a great option. I think , way back when, sheets were not used as often because with a higher thread count, they are hard to hand quilt thru. The exceptions being used sheets that are softer...

You are right! I just checked their site and they do have some good looking backing fabric.

I usually hit the sale room at the fabric store and purchase backing fabric there. It doesn't have to match the front.

Walmart has backing fabric that I think is pretty good. Take a look there.

I have even used duvet covers. There you have two sheets worth - I look for them during sales. I even used a lovely used duvet cover that was a white with a white design when making one of my quilts as the background fabric. It is one of my favorite quilts.

With the majority of my quilts, I dig into my scrap fabrics and put together a back. Very often, I even just make a quilt top for a backing. It works fabulously.

I also would go with marshalls.

I just made a scrappy for my daughter. I used a navy blue for sashing between the squares, then for the back I pieced several of my yard+ pieces of blue prints for a backing. Since I made stripes it looks reversible.

I love the scrappy, or even structured block backs and use them when I can for throw size or below. Guess I'm just not wanting to put extra work into this queen sized. But thanks so much for the suggestions.

Fabric.com has backing fabric on sale!!! With the retailmenot coupon, I was able to purchase for less than $7.00 a yard and with free shipping!!!

Thankyou for the heads-up re marshalldrygoods.com. Great selection of colours. Now to find out if they'll ship to the UK...

If you are quilting it yourself, you may want to consider a cotton sheet with a low thread count of 250. Recently, I used a king size sheet for a queen size quilt and it worked out perfectly without any problems with machine quilting. Walmart carries 100% cotton sheets that are sold individually ( rather than having to buy a set of sheets you can buy only a flat sheet) . A king size is around $15.

You have already had some great advice. I think sometimes we are our worst critics. Someone will just love that quilt.

I got a couple pieces from Connecting Threads very reasonable. I can't find my receipt right now, but I'm thinking less than $10.00 for 3+ yards. I was very pleased with it for scrap quilts and will order there again if I need it.

I have used sheets too, just haven't got the financial means to buy backing fabric. Often I get good used sheets at thrift stores and also because the sheets tend to have a spot where the fabric is a little more worn, I have bought some doona covers for double or queen size beds, they are usually barely worn and you get to use both sides. I buy them here locally for around $ 4.50-6.00.

I like a nice used flannel sheet for a backing. It's already shrunk as much as it's going to and the quilt won't be sliding off the bed.

One of the QB members has some fabric for 2.50 a yard #1 Piecemaker I think. I frequently buy fabric here for the purpose of backings. Also I look at Connecting Threads for the clearance section and buy the least expensive for backings. I have also used Marshall Dry Goods and the Red Dot section of Joanns.

Thousands of Bolts always has good prices.
Pat

I always use muslin for backs..good quality feels as soft as marshmallows when washed and are traditional.

Try your local thrift shops and find a sheet that is in good shape and use that. Pretty cheap and works well.

I used sheets and quilted them on my kenmore with no problems.

Fabric Depot has some beautiful batik 108" wide backings on sale this week. Online only.

Where do you get flat sheets without buying a set? Everywhere I have looked they are sold as a set and can't get just flat ones.

I've used sheets as backing too. The lady who does machine quilting for me likes them. I get my flat sheets at WalMart and yard sales. WM in Newport, AR does have sets but they also sell fitted and top sheets separately.