New to this...where's the back??
 

Hi all! I am so new to quilting, that I'm still just playing around with scrap pieces of material trying to cut things straight and make them fit. I'm considering ordering a kit from Fons & Porter, but I noticed that they all say "includes material for top and binding". (I know this sounds silly) Where do I get the material for the back of the quilt? Before you tell me just to pop down to Hobby Lobby, Michael's, or my local quilt store my husband and I are currently living in Germany, so it's not so easy. Thanks in advance for your help! :)

I've not ordered backing fabric online but others can give you suggestions of great sites to do so.

Also you can do a scrappy backing and make it a reversible quilt if you choose.

A third choice (which some might call cheating, but my family loves) is to use fleece as a combination backing/batting.

Hi Armywife: Welcome from Oregon. The backing is usually, not always, sold separate from the top and binding. Usually the company that sells the kit also sells coordinated fabric to go with it. Since your not within easy driving distance (LOL), I would recommend that you find a supplier that has both so you only have to order once and you can be sure the colors match. Another possibilty is using blankets or sheets for the backing. There is some disagreement about using sheets but I have and have been happy with the results.

I believe Connecting Threads always mentions how much fabric is required for the backing on their kits. This makes it easy to order a coordinating fabric in the right amount for the quilt kit.

Alternatively, you can figure out from the finished dimensions of the quilt how much fabric will be required for the backing.

Many quilters wait until a top is finished before going shopping for a backing fabric. The backing fabric does not need to be part of the top. However, for convenience, you may want to order coordinating backing fabric at the same time as the kit. If you cannot easily find the information online, you may want to email or call the company to ask what coordinating fabric is available for the backing and how much you will need.

My Daughter bought me a quilt lit from connecting threads and there was plenty of fabrics left for a scrappy back. They say how much fabric was needed but, I found there was plenty.

a lot of people just use muslin. I would think that is available in Germany.

Dear Armywife - I am a German quilter in Germany! There are quiltshops here, but I wold recommend that you order your fabric from the States on the internet - German fabric prices are ridiculously high. A good website with good prices is: www.thousandsofbolts.com. Hope this helps.! And please DON'T buy German muslin: it is too thick and when you wash it you end up with 1000000 wrinkles that refuse to be ironed out.

I just use plain old muslin.

Interesting about the German muslin. Guess I take our quilt shops and fabric for granted.

Fabric in Germany is also very expensive in comparison to what's offered in the States. There are quite a few sources that send overseas, and assuming you have an APO address there shouldn't be any problems with shipping.

I think the reason why kits don't include the backing is that the kit would be unreasonably expensive. Backing takes yardage that would push the cost over the top.

Where are you in Germany?

....or use muslin. I hear that many quilters use muslin as our ancestors did.

What size is your quilt top? You can piece a back but I prefer to order a "wide back" or fabric that is 106-120 inches wide. Thousands of bolts is on line and they offer lots of different wide back fabrics. I don't like to use muslin because it isn't as high quality as regular fabric. I don't want to take a short cut after all that work and money spent on the top.

I have a group of friends who buy cotton sheets in the colour , fleece , charity shops or try online. I purchase large lengths 5yards of sale fabric . Not necessary the fabric for that quilt next one maybe. Also start to look at batting / wadding. This goes in between the top and back. Poly, cotton or mixtures look up a local shop. Come back or look up how to sandwich before you do it. It may be a good idea to make a cushion or a mat for a table to see how things work.
Don't forget come back here for any small thing somebody will have the knowledge to help.

I have ordered online a few times. I do not know about currency exchange, but if you worry about it, there may be some that deal with Euros. It is easy, and you have access to so many stores that you might never see in person.

Welcome to the world of quilting. You have come to the right board to ask your questions and learn tons of information. The ladies here are patient and willing to share their knowledge to us newbies.

I used a baby crib sheet on a quilt for backing and it worked great. I save sheets for this purpose. I've gotten sheets at estate sales (check for stains). All depends on the subject and situation. Actually, it just depends on your choice. Ask a local where you can get yardage.

you can order from thousandbolts.com: connectingthreads.com: marshalldrygoods.com or any number of great online sources since you have an APO box, shipping is the same cost as domestic mail. Your options are "backing" fabric which is generally 108" wide or regular fabric. Regular width yardage can be sewn in strips until it is the correct width. There are formula's available that will tell you how many yards to buy to piece for which size quilt. Or you can go to the PX and buy high cotton content flat sheets and use those.

Welcome! From one Army wife to another - Many, many thanks for your service! Your support means everything to your husband!

Armywife, you can get sheets at the PX that work really well. I think the reason the quilt police frowned on that in the past was because they used to be so tightly woven that they were difficult to hand quilt.
I had to resort to sheets when we were stationed in Gitmo and they worked fine. Now I buy bolts of 108" wide muslim at JoAnn's when I have a 50% coupon and always have it on hand. I never did see the point in putting all that work in the top just to have someone like the back more.

oops, riutzelj had the same idea while I was typing. Needless to say, I agree with her. LOL BTW, I'm a Navy Wife.

I don't know how new to quilting you are but when you sandwich the quilt top with the backing, be sure to leave at least 2" extra batting and backing around all sides of the top.

Go to ebay and get a cheater quilt the size you need. It's cheaper and you then have a reversible quilt.

I prefer muslin for all my quilts, except for the little guys and gals. Those I find matching fabric. No one ever complains. smile.....

It appears you have rec'd many suggestions here about where to get backings. May I also suggest that you either look on line at some utube tutorials or get hold of some "beginner" type books/mags that will help you in cutting/piecing blocks for your top. It will help you to understand the whole process better and give you the right essential do/don't in quilt making. JMHO

I am partially disabled and cannot wander the aisles of quilt shops. Many websites have backing fabrics for very reasonable prices. I like the 6 yard bolts of Kona cotton black or white (and sometimes other colors) at Fabric Depot. Sometimes it is as cheap as $22.00 for 6 yards. I love Connecting Threads and Fabric .com. Where was I shopping yesterday that had backings 109" wide? Oh dang! I miss my mind so much since I lost it!

Many times, especially on a scrappy, you can piece the backing but it is usually sold separately. We have a fabric store that has backing on rolls in every color.

actually some kits do include backing. they cost much more of course. Good luck!!

Not cheating cause I do this and I don't cheat, I think it is a grand idea!

I think most of us used sheets when we began. truth be told I think most of us still do. Unless you're entering in a show or sending it off to a long armer, it doesn't matter. If you have any old blankets lying around that need a makeover- use that! There are no rules. So just have fun and use what you got.

I also use a flat sheet. works really well

Connecting Threads or Thousand Bolts on line would be your best bet. Good prices. You can buy wide backing fabric
90-108" wide or 45" fabric and cut to the length of your quilt, then cut the second piece in half and put on each side. So you would have 3 pieces to the back, not a seam in the middle.
Hello from Texas. I used to work at Ft. Hood, TX, an Army base.

If you bought a kit from Fons and Porter, they should offer backing fabric as well. Recheck their site or wherever you made your purchase. Hope this helps

Since you are a beginner and material is hard to come by, a good quality flat sheet would be great to use. My Aunt used them for years. Also the sheets now have higher thread count in many. I know many people say don't use them, but I have and never had an issue. As you know we wash our sheets more often then our quilts, so many can take the wear and tear. Good luck on your new adventure.

I'm sure I have seen a member from Germany who You could PM to find shops or where to order on line from.

Probably where you order the kit, you could get backing. Or ask one of us and we could buy it and send it to your APO for very little cost. I would condider doing that for you. Hope you can get started and make a nice quilt. Our son is in the military so I hae a heart for those of you who are involved with service to our country.

If your husband is in the Army, and you have an APO address, you can order from any of the on-line fabric sites. I like www.thousandsofbolts.com and www.connectingthreads.com. They both ship quickly. I think they both sell WIDE fabrics to use as backing.

Wow! I feel like I just stumbled not the most accepting group of people I've met since I joined my church when we lived in San Antonio.

Thank you all, a thousand times over, for all the advice, knowledge, and friendliness. :)