question about quilt backing
 

I notice that quilt backing is "cheaper" (more affordable) than piecing cotton. Does anyone use the backing such as the kind they have in online fabric stores for piecing? What is the difference? I would probably cut it in half right away in order to make it easier to work with. Any comments would be helpful for this newbie. (4 years of quilting, but still very new at it.) TIA [thanks in advance.]

For backings, I use either muslin or sheets, for the muslin I prefer the wide. I've also used polar fleece with no batting. I would use whatever works for YOU, and don't pay much attention to the "quilt police."

I don't know why you couldn't use it for piecing. There is usually just not the range of colors and patterns in the backing as there is in the quilters' cotton. I often use the same fabric on the back as some that I used on the front. As previous poster said "there are no quilt police."

I usually like to use good fabric for my backing as I do on the quilt top. I normally make lap size quilts for charity so I use the extra fabric from the quilt top on the backing so I get the size I need.

I have used leftover pieces of the wide quilt backing for piecing several times. Some of them are great quality with beautiful designs.

I always end up with backing fabric left over which goes in with my scraps. I've only had one backing fabric that I didn't like for piecing because it was a little heavier feeling. But I did use it in another quilt for sashing strips and it worked fine.

I use what I have on hand. I have sheets and lots of scraps from sheets from estate sales. Muslin what ever works for the piece I'm working on.

I agree with Dunster! I use the leftovers and they are nice quality. I always buy mine at the LQS.

I thought that the only difference between backing and "cotton" is the width most backing being 108" not 40". Sometimes backing does feel difference but you should be able to use it in the front of the quilt. 108" backing is much easier to work with than piecing 40" fabric together. I try to use wide backing unless I cannot find a good color. Sometimes I will make my own backing from left over fabric but this is really a pain. What I do is start with a square in the middle and keep adding wide border until I get the size I need.

Yes, I use backing for piecing all the time. I hit my local fabric store from time to time to see what they have on clearance in the backing fabrics. Sometimes they'll have only about a yard of a fabric but its 108" wide so you're getting 3 yds for the price of one give or take a few bucks.

The wide backs are (should be) the same quality as the regular bolts as they come from the same manufacturers. Not only do I use them for piecing but I buy "short cuts" to use for sashing and boarders so I don't have to piece long lengths. Often the short cuts are marked down because they aren't big enough to back a quilt so you can get them a lot cheaper. One last point, 1 yard of 108" backing is about the same as 2 1/2 yards of standard widths, so a backing that costs about $15 is equivalent to $6 a yard. Not a bad deal IMO.

I use a premium quality muslin for most of my backing and also use it very often for the piecing background fabrics .

Good quality backing is the same as good quality 43-4" quilting cotton. In fact, I have seen the same fabric in both widths. I have purchased name brand 108" backing fabric on-line for as little as $6/yard, and it has been lovely, high quality fabric. If you stick to name brands, I don't think you can go wrong. And I always use my backing scraps for piecing.

I use leftover wide backing for piecing all the time. I have only once run into getting a wideback that I wasn't real happy with the quality. The fabric was very course and stiff. I haven't washed it yet so maybe washing will soften it up. Some of the batik wide backs are beautiful and I wouldn't hesitate to use the left overs for piecing.

I do not know why you could not use the quilt backing for piecing.

I use left over wide back for piecing--although if the piece is of any size I'll put a couple together and use for a backing.

I use the normal cotton fabric used in piecing. I've never used a sheet as the majority I've seen are polyester based. Muslin would be too thin and unsuitable for a backing or piecing.

You can. I was looking for some red for this quilt while in the states in March. The ONLY marbleized red I could find in the Greenville,SC area was at the now-bankrupt Hancock's and it was wide quilt backing. Yes, I bought it, and yes, it worked just fine. Here is the finished quilt.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]552365[/ATTACH]

Justflying in, That is a FABULOUS quilt. Thanks for posting it.

The best price and variety of wide backings is Marshalls Dry goods. I have bought from them several times and use it in piecing as well.

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 .

I always buy a backing that I really love, and try to buy a little more than I need... so that way, it does wind up in a later quilt top...