Is it ok not to remove selvages from backing if it will end up inside the binding?
 

My top ended up a little bigger than I expected, and my back is not much wider than the top. I am nervous about quilting it. Would it be ok to leave the selvage on to grab a few extra millimeters? I know it does not behave like the rest of the fabric, but neither does binding, so will it make any difference?

I wouldn't because I think you might get uneven shrinkage when the quilt is washed. That's just my opinion, though. I've never tried it.

Meh, I've done it. Not a big deal.

If you have to use the selvedge, you might try snipping into it every inch or 2 after you've sewn the first side of the binding on. It's more tightly woven and often shrinks up more.

The thing you need to worry about is that it will really pull up after washing. If you have pre-washed & dried it, it will probably not pull up any more. If not, then nanibi's idea of snipping it is a good one.

I think you'll be fine. Sometimes you just have to fudge things a bit. All's fair in love and quilting!

I have done it.. but did clip the first few theads every few inches, so if there is more shrinkage in the selvage it will not distort.

I have done it and I was fine but I'd I make quilts for others I cut it off just to be on the safe side.

I'm more concerned that your backing will not be big enough when you start quilting if it is already so small that the selvage is where the binding would be. Usually you would allow 1-4 inches all around extra backing, not just enough.

It should be fine. The binding is strong enough to prevent distortion from any shrinkage of the selvedge. It would be a good idea to clip the selvedge every once in awhile, inside the seam allowance.

I like to have the backing about 4 inches bigger that the top, all the way around my quilt. This allows for the quilting. I also like to hand quilt and for that reason alone, I would cut off the salvedge edge.

It will be fine especially with the clipping as was suggested. Salvages today aren't like they used to be.

I agree and the higher the loft of the batting, the greater the problem will be. Lots of people are using pieced backs these days. Are you quilting this yourself? As a long arm quilter I could not in good conscience accept a back that small because I know the results would be less than optimal.

everyone else has answered exactly how I would have. It is best not to use it, (when I was a home ec ed major, that was the one really big thing we learned. it WILL shrink and distort your project. clipping it should help in this emergency situation, but I would recommend NOT making it a habit to leave the selvage in your project. Can't wait to see pics of the finished quilt!

Can you cut the backing in half and use some scraps to create an "artistic strip" to place in the center that would add a few inches to the width of the backing? Or you could even add a couple of inches to each side of the backing with strips made from the leftover top.

Oh well yes, I've done it. its not the best situation but who cares. Unless your sending this quilt to a national quilt show I'm pretty sure the quilt police won't issue a ticket.

This is what i would do, too, if I didn't have the money or couldn't find more fabric. Won't be show quality, but it will still be "love" quality. ;)

I've left the selvedge on many times, and have never had a problem. Long arm quilting is another story. They need more fabric to start the quilting.

My query would be do you fall in the prewash camp? If so don't worry about it, look at all the selvedge quilts Karen Griska has introduced and spawned.
I used a ton of selvedges in last years Bonnie Hunter mystery in the strippy blocks, and they are all fine. But I'm a prewasher.

That said I've never seen a selvedge shrink up in 40 years of prewashing. That is where we'd see it first. This might be an old myth. I do know with hand quilting they are a little harder to quilt through.

Have done so once. If material prewashed not a problem.

Me, too. Gabeway is right!!

I always trim the selvadges, they will shrink differently than the fabric. Won't you still need several inches around the quilt that will be taken up when the quilt is quilted?

I've done it with good results but only in an emergency-----what you have IS an emergency.

I have used selvages, but do take some off. I haven't had any problems, but then I like my quilts squishy and vintage looking. I've not noticed the selvage looking any different.

Oh I would not do it, the selvage edge has no give to it. Your project will most likely buckle.
I snip the cut edge about a half inch from the selvage edge then grab and rip the fabric. It will rip in a straight line, if you don't plan on saving your selvage edges in some cute slevage project then save it anyway, its great (very strong) rope for tying things...like tomatoes in the garden, boxes for recycling etc. Best thing is you know that you have a perfectly straight edge.

The main reason to trim off the selvage edges is that they are more tightly woven and will shrink in a different way when washed as well as being somewhat harder to quilt. I usually just take a nip in the fabric next to the selvage, then rip. If you feel you have to use that little bit to make the back large enough,then definitely take snips in the selvage every couple of inches or so, similar to easing in a sleeve in a garment.

I have done this in the past and have not noticed any problems. Interesting question though.

I think you are asking for puckers if you do.

I would be more afraid of the backing shrinking and pulling in when it's quilted than I would be of leaving the selvedge on. I would cut the selvdges off and add a border on the backing if it's going to be that close to the size of the top. Quilting shrinks the backing and the batting and you may end up with the top overhanging the back.

That sounds like very good advice. Good thinking!

I agree -- I have washed hundreds of fabric pieces and none of the selvages have ever drawn up. My only problem with current selvages is the print down the edges and the holes that run along the edges. (We measured one selvage at our church quilting and it was over an inch deep!! What a waste!) For batiks with the selvage the same color as the fabric I have used it frequently when I need that little extra.

Thank you for all that input ladies! I am quilting it myself and will probably be SITD. I do have a small overhang but I am expecting to eat it up during quilting. I've decided to leave the selvages on and HOPE I can cut them off after quilting. The top can't be trimmed. It has no borders as it is (which is also new for me and in fact I wish I could add a border, but I won't because I don't want to piece the back) I need to finish it and not fuss with it any more!!!!