Pieced backing
 

I just don’t get why people spend so much money and time on the front of their quilts and then just use scraps to make the back without much thought of coordinating them. I have seen several well-done pieced backings using leftover blocks or at least fabrics from the front in a specific pattern. But I have also seen where they just strip one fabric after another until the quilt backing is large enough. Most people still put their quilts on a bed and yes you do see the under side when you get into bed. Of course this is not the case for wall hangings and probably anything goes for them. Just my thoughts what do you think ?

I think money can be a factor, as can personal taste.

for my special quilts, I am attentive to the back. however, I have been known to do the random fabric piecing you described. I have done that on my less-than-special quilts and i get pleasure at using up bits of stash that I wouldn't otherwise use. I do try to to stay within a reasonable color theme though.
I made my mom a quilt from a moda kit that she picked out. there were enough fabric bits leftover to put together into a back. I cut them into similar sized bricks and pieced it together. when she opened the package, she thought the back of the quilt was the front! guess it didn't turn out too gaudy!

Well here are several thoughts that went through my head:
1) I don't see the back of the quilt when I get into bed because I pull the quilt, blankets, and sheet all back as one.
2) I don't see the back of the quilt when I get into bed because usually it's dark.
3) I only see the back of the quilt for the one and a half seconds it takes me to get into bed.

I guess I really don't care what the back of the quilt looks like, only that it's done and ready to be used!

I'm pretty much the same. I usually try to coordinate the backing with the top, but it's not a big deal to me. A lot of my quilts are just for use around the house and I'm not the picky about what is on the back. Also, I have pieced backs that I end up liking as well as I like the tops. Everyone has their likes and dislikes

I love the idea that I can make the back as crazy and funky as I want to -- something I wouldn't normally do on a quilt top. And yes, it also gives me a place to use those "why-did-I-buy-this" fabrics that just don't fit anywhere else.

I had to laugh, I did this today. I pieced a back for my grandsons cat quilt from the pieces I had leftover from the quilt. It would’ve been so much easier to purchase a cat backing but I kept thinking you don’t want to have 100 lbs of fabric left when you die….

LOL! I think the same thing a lot!

Do you read Bonnie Hunter's blog? She puts random pieces of what-was-I-thinking fabric together for her backs all the time. I figure if it's good enough for Bonnie, it's good enough for me too.

I'm afraid I must descend. I agree with the poster. I would rather put a coordinating solid color sheet on the back, than to just throw some non coordinating pieces of left over fabric on the back. Of course, if you wanted to cut that fabric up into 1002 small 2" squares, then you might just have something sorta pretty. But I agree, I have seen some pretty quilts ruined by what some people put on the back. Would you buy a quilt from a store looking like that?

Don't get me wrong, I certainly understand about the cost issue. I just think there are better alternatives than to just slap together a mismatched hodge podge on the back.

I think money is a factor for a lot of people, especially these days and I would never want people to feel bad about their beautiful quilts because they had to piece a back! If it’s a choice between putting extra into the top or not being able to quilt at all, I say, “PIECE AWAY!”

i purposely piece the back of scrappy quilts. I also piece the borders of scrappy quilts with different fabrics and I make extra bias binding with every quilt and piece those together for scrappy, binding, too.

I will piece a back using coordinating colors or fabrics from the front with a little extra thrown in. I usually don't have enough to fully coordinate the back. Often it is a close neutral. I do love the luxury of a wide back blender color on the back.

I use big scraps for the backing, it's an opportunity to be creative and try out a new block. Most of my quilts go to charity, perhaps the new owner will find joy in the back side. The quilt may end up on the floor, couch, who knows. I do know that it will be loved and help keep someone warm. I do the same thing for the RV, I make extra quilts and they get passed to fellow campers. I use one to sit outside on a chilly morning and it keeps me warm and I have two sides to look at and enjoy.

I prefer a pretty back on the quilts I make, one that is at least color coordinated to the front. However, on a totally scrappy quilt, I think it's perfectly acceptable to use larger pieces of fabric pieced together to make an "old time" looking backing. Use what you can, and use it up!

My only rule for backings: The back has to look good with the binding. Anything goes on the back! Keeps life interesting because you never know what you will find on the backside of my quilts or life in general. I am mostly a scrappy quilter.

When I plan to make a quilt, I also plan (i.e. purchase extra) for the backing. Often, I piece the remaining scraps from the quilt top and incorporate into coordinating fabric for the backing. I agree, it's a costly part of the process but I prefer gifted quilts to have continuity on the front/back.

However, I do have a very scrappy project that I work on in-between others and when I'm finished I will piece a very random, almost large crazy quilt, backing of "what was I thinking" fabrics. Perhaps I should get out of my box and liberate my quilt backs more often! It isn't necessary to perfectly coordinate but it sure does present a quilt nicely!

Isn't it wonderful to have so many choices?

I also like the back to coordinate with the front. If I am short of coordinating fabric, will make a scrappy strip that I can use to extend the size of the back using smaller pieces or similar colors as the front. But totally random fabrics... well, it bothers me. Most of the quilts I make are small bed sized or throws and it is common to see the back and the front often at the same time. My quilt, my choice, my stash, and my fussiness about the back. I use plenty of those "what was I thinking", "ugly fabrics" and the bin of odds and ends on the quilt top as a way to keep the "collection" under control. ;)

I agree!
 

one of my favorite quilt backs was made with wide strips of leftovers from front. Sometimes I buy an extra half yard per color, depending how many fabrics, for this purpose. Takes the stress out if "now how to finish".

I've done both. It depends on the quilt I guess.
However, I once made the mistake of using a backing that didn't go with the front at all and it bugged me the whole time I used it. One of my sons loved the quilt though so I gave it to him. He doesn't care about backings haha.

I do chariltyl quilts for Project Linus. We all love the show and tell part of our meeting. Most of us do scrappy backs and we call them Twofers! We cheer with Ohhhs and Ahhhs over pieced, colorful backs and one color backs get a courtisy oh that's nice. Some of us use UFO's that will never make into a quilt for backs. Those quilts get a round of applause! lol I've been know to use "what in the world" FQ shashed for backs. Just another twofer!

I just want the backing to be sturdy and sort of matchy with the front. I don't spend lots of money on buying new fabric for every quilt I may be.

Personal preference!

I will not buy $30 or more worth of wide quilt backing when I have so much fabric here to be used. I have no problem piecing a back. I do try to use something that somehow compliments the front and binding.

If you don't appreciate "hodge podge" quilting, then fine, do what works for you. But to say that quilts are "ruined" by what others put on the back, and insinuate that nobody would buy it, is pretty harsh and judgemental, don't you think?

By the way, I think the word you're looking for is "dissent", not "descend".

See how it feels?

Frankly, unless I know it’s going to be in a show I don’t give a horses patoot what the backing looks like. Our ancestors didn’t have wide backing, they pieced them. Nobody judged them for it. Why are we judging people who do it nowadays? Just because wide backing is available in this day and age doesn’t mean your quilt is “ruined” if you don’t use it. “Hodge podge” on, people!

Would you purchase a ready-made/commercially made quilt with a random bits of whatever on the back? The cost of 3 yards of 108" wide backing from reputable vendors is approximately the same as the cost of a good cotton batting. Any leftover fabric from the wide backing goes into my stash - and is always used at some point down the line. And if I can't use it, my quilting friends always appreciate a donation to their efforts.

I totally agree!

I use whatever strikes my fancy at the moment. Whether it is wide back, scrappy, pieced, or plain muslin. Anything will work as long as I get the quilt finished. Most of my quilts are now donated and the recipients at happy to receive anything. If I am making a quilt commissioned and they are paying I may be more particular

The original poster asked how others feel about this, and I quote. "I just don’t get why people spend so much money and time on the front of their quilts and then just use scraps to make the back without much thought of coordinating them"
Note the underlined part. I gave a honest answer of how I feel about it. To me, much of the fun of a quilt is it's two sided coordinating fabrics, and being able to showcase either side, and how pretty it can look with one side flopped over the front. . It is what I like.

Obviously, if someone does not care about how the back looks, than that is also their opinion. It is their money, their time, and their quilt. I have also pieced the backs of my quilts combining fabric from the front of the quilt with fabric from my stash, but I always take take great pain to coordinate them with the front so either side will bring a smile to my face (or the person I am giving it to). I like a quilt to be two sided, pretty on both sides, and coordinated with each other. That is my preference, not the law.

To me, maybe because of my old age, a quilt has always been a two sided commodity, made to bring pleasure no matter what side is being showcased..

To piece (peace) or not to piece (peace) That is the question. It really doesn't matter to me what anyone puts on their quilt backs. For me, I coordinate. But I have made one Christmas on one side Spring on the other. I do love that quilt.

Meanwhile I have a friend who's mom is staying with her to help her with their three children. My friend works as a nurse full time and is also a professor at a university. Her husband is TDY in South Korea. Her mom cannot go home!! China is locked down. Her husband is old and he is alone. Countries are locked down and people are prisoners of their homes. I guess I would ask is this...In the grand scheme of things does it matter how the back is made? If you like it pieced. Piece it! If not then don't. Let us above all be peaceful especially during the atmosphere of what the rest of the world is going through.

Peace to everyone.

I don’t sell my quilts and if the people and charities that I give them to don’t appreciate them (and I find out about it) they don’t get any more.

Golly I didn’t mean to be argumentative or to put anyone down. This thread seems to have brought out some emotional responses. Please you are so right with all that’s going on in the world this isn’t worth any kind of stress or arguing. Please everyone enjoy your quilting front and back no matter how you do it.

As for economy backing, I started using flat sheets from sets where the fitted sheet wore out. Our daughter sent me a flannel one that went well with a flannel quilt I made her brother. Little did I know that she wanted me to use it on a quilt for her.

Do quilters use used sheets for backings? That would be economical if they wear well. If they are new, do you have to wash them several times before? It is hard to find single sheets nowadays, mostly they come in sets.

I have started to use no pill fleece - a good brand which I get when I have coupons. As I do all my own FMQ on my domestic machine, it works so much better using the fleece as batting isn't needed and the fleece stays put when it is pin basted. My grandkids all like soft backs and this works so well. Sometimes regular backings with batting and then quilted can be kind of stiff.
It is especially good for little kids and baby quilts.

[QUOTE=Schill93;8551425
Don't get me wrong, I certainly understand about the cost issue. I just think there are better alternatives than to just slap together a mismatched hodge podge on the back.[/QUOTE]

ITA. I also think that when I've spent days in designing and fabric selection for the front, the back shouldn't compete with it. I like to use a matching Kona or maybe a Moda Marble or muslin.

Of course, if I even tried to insert a few blocks on a plain back, it would be wonky for sure, so there's that. :)

hugs,
charlotte

My first quilts used flat bed sheets. Today, they are disintegrating! use fabric!
I prefer a coordinated backing.

That's a good point, I've had two sets of sheets where the bottom sheet wore thin and eventually got holes.

I think just do what you want and/or can afford. It's all good. I will piece a back if I need to but I prefer not too. Not because I like the look of a solid type backing but mainly because by the time I get done piecing the front, I just want to get the backing on and get her done. If I have bought special fabric for the front I will try and use a good quality backing for it. If it is a quilt I pieced out of scraps I will use what I have. I made 7 lap quilts out of scrap flannel but did not have enough flannel to back them so I bought a cheaper flannel at one of the box stores on sale, actually washed it in hot water twice because I could see that it had a looser weave. The hot washing helped shrink it all up and then I put it on the back. I can still tell the quality is not as good as the scraps on the front but it works and I have since washed it several times, It is soft and cuddly will all the washing and use. I still did not have enough flannel for backing so I did use a brushed homespun on the back of two of them. They are just fine although I really do think they will wear out sooner than the all flannel ones but they were made of scraps in the first place. I have been given sheets a couple of times and did not have any problems with them on my long arm. The quality of sheets really varies widely as does the content so I really do try and stay away from them. I keep my eye out for the sales rack and if there is a fabric of enough qualtity that I think would make a fine quilt back, I will get it even if I don't have a specific quilt top in mind. I do stay away though from unusual fabrics or directional ones that would be hard to match in a long seam. I still have some of those but I have found several of those bargin backings that have found their quilt top and sometimes, I really don't think I could have found a better backing if I had bought it at full price specifically for a top.