We use leftover backing fabric all the time for our Quilts of Valor. I have also used in some of my other quilts.

I use quilt backing fabric for piecing all the time. I buy most of my solids (especially beiges, whites and grays) and blenders that way. It's more economical. Never had a problem.

One yard of 108 inch backing is 3 yards wide, but it is even better than that, because it has only 72 inches of selvedge (36 inches on each side), instead of the 160+ inches that you'd get if you bought 2 ⅓ yards of fabric.

When I buy wide backing fabric, its usually from www.thousandsofbolts.com. They have good prices and my orders have always shipped fast. I have pieced quilts using these fabrics, the quality is good.
Sharon in Texas

I use the cheaper extra wide backing on some of my quilts. I always prewash them because they tend to shrink way more than the average fabrics. Other than that, they work great and I have been happy with the results.

I'm glad this question came up. I've been wondering. Good tip about prewashing as it will probably shrink more than average fabric. Thanks.

I'm a rank amateur when it comes to making quilts, but I think I would prefer the 108" wide backing fabric, certainly for backs, and perhaps for a whole-cloth quilt top, too. Economic issues always exist -- and I'm no exception to the rule. I walked into a LQS the other day, and while their fabric was really beautiful, there wasn't a piece in the whole place for less than $12/yard. So, I turned around and walked out. That's just too much for my budget! I just recently completed a large quilt (88" X 118"), and it took 18-1/2 yards of fabric. At $12/yard, that's $222 just for the top (excluding the orange/red center block). By the time you buy backing and batting, you've got a hefty investment in dollars and cents, PLUS the time you spend making the quilt. Also, if you send your quilts to a LA quilter, you'd have to include the cost of the quilting. That expenditure would make quilting prohibitive for me. Okay, I didn't spend $12/yard so I can continue making quilts. But I do SHOP for good prices, as do most of us. Okay, end of rant. I know that $12/yard is not viewed as an excessive cost by most of those on this board, but it would be prohibitive for me. The 108 inch quilt backing is by all means a very good buy! Since I pre-wash my fabric, I also pre-wash the backing. Assuming the 108 inch measurement (I forgot to measure prior to washing) when washed in hot water, the backing fabric only shrunk 2 inches in width, making it less than 2% shrinkage. That's pretty good!

Unless it is for a child, I use unbleached muslin. I like the look and feel of it. for the kids, I use something that coordinates with the front. I have also used sheets, but not a lot. I do use the bleached muslin when I am lucky enough to find it at a yard sale or am gifted it, but there is just a special feel to the unbleached that I really like. In the end, it is just whatever you are happy with.

I agree with you on the prices of fabric in stores. This is why I go on line. Have great success with Fabric.com and connectingthreads.com. Also if you buy the required amt, you get free shipping . I usually have NO problem reaching that amount. smile. I just wait til I am going to get fabric to get all the other odds and ends we all need to do what we love to do. Have only been quilting for 5 yrs (I am 81) and on my income have to find all the deals I can.

I use muslin all the time, and it is not thin. It comes in different ranks of quality like any other fabric. Never had a single complaint from those I give the quilts .