prepare/cut backing for quilt
 

Hi, I'm new to the board. I need to cut the fabric for the back of my quilt. It is about 80"x108". I know I want to cut it so it will have three pieces sewn together so the main seam is not in the middle of the quilt. I am extremely visual and need to see pictures or videos. I've been searching the web and I am not finding pictures/instructions/videos that are clear enough for my feeble brain.
Thank you,
Jeannie

if you take two lengths of your fabric, cut off the selvages, and sew down both sides, you will have a tube. you may want to draw a line vertically on one side. then hold up that side and cut down the line. now you have a wide piece in the middle and equal widths on either side of that :)

thanks for this information. I always struggle with making the backs. I usually know what I want the final piece to be like but cannot get the brain on board with the idea.

Sorry QuiltnNan but when I tried that technique with a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper all I got was a piece of paper split right down the center with 2 equal sides. What did I do wrong because I, too, would love to understand this technique?

If your quilt top is 80x108, you need for your backing to be several inches bigger in both directions. If you are sending your quilt to a longarmer, you should find out how much bigger that longarmer wants and work to that size. If she wants the backing 4" larger all around (not uncommon), then your backing needs to be 88x116. That is probably too wide for the 2-width method above, which otherwise works great if you're very careful to keep the seams and the slit down one side parallel.

One thing you could consider is buying extra wide fabric for the back, and then you won't have to piece it at all. I often piece my backs from whatever fabrics are left over from the front, and to do that I measure each piece that is available and then either use EQ or draw the possible designs for the back on paper. Then approach it as any other piecing project.

I do it like QuiltnNan. For your dimensions, you would need two pieces that measure 120 " long x 45" Once you make the tube, you have to match the seams of the tube together. Sort of like when you are folding slacks to hang them up. Then you cut.slit down one of the folded edges. When you spread out the cut edge you have a center panel that is 120" x 45 (minus the seam allowances) with two side panels measuring 120 x 22.5 (minus seam allowances)

I hope that make sense

This looks wonderfully easy! I will definitely try this next time! Thanks for the headsup. ( just told me my message was too short to post! What? sorry but I don't have anything else to say about this!! lol!

What a great idea!! I have been quilting for 20 years and never knew this! Thanks for the info!!!!

There are some great references available:

- The Quilter's Pocket Reference - mine is green covered and about 9" x 5 1/2"

- All-In-One Quilter's reference Tool - also about the same

Both are excellent references you will love to have.

ali