Need help with quilt backing
 

I am ready to apply a quilt backing to a king size quilt that I am making. What I need advise with is: I will have to put lengths of the fabric together because it is only 44 inches wide. Is it best to trim off the salvage of each panel or is this not nessesary. Also could I sew the seams on a serger? Thank You. Dorothy

Hi Dorothy. I am by no means an expert, but I'll give you my advice. Cut off the selvedge edges because they can be harder to quilt through. I would not serge the seams either. I was taught to sew my backing seams at 1/2" and press open to cut down on the bulk. Also, your seams should go up and down because there is less stress on them that way. Hope this helps. Maybe someone will come around and give different advice, but this is the way I do it, although I am just piecing most of my backs now. I just use 10.5 squares, or resize a block to a giant size for the back and add a large border around it. I don't buy fabric just for backing any more, although when I get the 2 Double Wedding Rings quilted that my mom made for me, I'll buy the wide muslin for those. Too much info, I know.

Joyce

If I don't want to fool with piecing the back, I go for the 108" wide backing. Most LQS have it.

the selvedges should always be cut off. not only are they harder to quilt through, but they shrink more than the rest of the fabric.

I would cut off the selvages, sew a 1/2" seam allowance and press the seam open. I make lots of king size and that works for me.

I agree with Retired GI Jo and Anna O completely. Have done several. Although honestly I'm not sure that it really makes a difference on which way the seams run on the back. They're all different directions on the front, aren't they? I just piece my backs in the most efficient and cost effective way possible.

I thank you all for your imput. It is very helpful.

Definately cut off the selvages. If I have to piece the back I use one length in the middle and split the other piece in two and sew it on each side. It seems to be more balanced that way. You could also do it in two different colors and it would look interesting from the back rather than just one plain color.

I also use the 108" wide backing and will always use it. Joann's and Hancocks sell it along with LQS.
I works great and not sewing pieces together.
Give it a try.
KEEP QUILTING

please note only one thing about the direction of the seams...if it is to be machine quilted, the seams must run across the longarm frame. if the quilt can be turned both ways, no problem, but if the size of the quilt demands one way or the other then the backing seams must lay across the frame...and of course, i agree with trimming the selvedges ... this is true no matter what you are doing with fabric...