Well here I am...alone again.....I only use muslin..either white or natural,for all things I have made......I just cannot justify in my head or wallet putting lovely fabric on the back of something I have cut, pieced and quilted. The muslin I use is good quality and I have even used it in blocks.....it is just the same material before printing.....

This is sort of my philosophy about using muslin. Especially on king-size quilts I'm making for myself...I go all out on the fabric for the front and save as much as I can for the back.

I like scrappy backs too...my rule of thumb is that if I have to piece a back out of 45" fabric anyway, I'm usually going to throw something interesting into that seam, especially if it's a scrappy quilt (which most of mine are). A row of blocks using fabric from the front, or a strip of left over border fabric...whatever gets in the way gets thrown into that spot. And then sometimes I get a bug and decide to slice through the back again going in another direction and add another strip of "whatever". Kinda depends on how much I like the backing fabric, how much front-fabric I have left, what sort of mood I'm in, and how much of a hurry I'm in!

I've done fully pieced backs and I didn't like how I ended up with so many lumps where intersections from the front matched up with intersections on the back - it made it hard to quilt. My FMQ is amateurish enough without extra lumps in the quilt making it jag off to the side! If I pressed my seams open that would probably be less of a problem but I'm far too lazy for that.

Several of my quilts started by finding the perfect backing. Then purchased fabric for the front!!!

I use the extra wide backing fabric when I can but if I can't find something that looks good, I will use the 45 wide and seam it. Sometimes, I piece together leftover fabric from the top to make the backing.

QUOTE from Sewnoma:I like scrappy backs too...my rule of thumb is that if I have to piece a back out of 45" fabric anyway, I'm usually going to throw something interesting into that seam, especially if it's a scrappy quilt (which most of mine are). A row of blocks using fabric from the front, or a strip of left over border fabric...whatever gets in the way gets thrown into that spot. And then sometimes I get a bug and decide to slice through the back again going in another direction and add another strip of "whatever". Kinda depends on how much I like the backing fabric, how much front-fabric I have left, what sort of mood I'm in, and how much of a hurry I'm in!
If I pressed my seams open that would probably be less of a problem but I'm far too lazy for that.[/QUOTE]

I've been making a lot of scrappy backs. What better way is there to get rid of some of that fabric that has been hanging around forever? If the front is scrappy, the more different pieces you use in the back, the less it matters what color they are.

My new idea I just thought of: If you have a piece of fabric that coordinates with the front (long enough or wide enough but not both), fold it on the diagonal from corner to corner, but not exactly in the corner, leave an inch or two, and cut off 1/16th or less from that fold. Just to get the fold off. Place the two diagonal pieces on opposite corners, and you have a straight blank space to fill in. Take another piece that is wide enough to fit that space (but it doesn't have to be long enough), and cut on the diagonal through the center to match the diagonal on top or bottom. Place one of these on the top and the other on the bottom. Now fill in the space you have left with anything. One piece or several. Pieced in a pattern or just fabrics to fit. I can't wait to try this.

I like piecing the back as a way to use up what I have. If I have nothing that works then I go to either the wide if I can find a piece I like and that goes with the front of the quilt or I will use 44" and piece. I have a couple of pieced backs I'd love to show you but cannot figure out how to send a picture. I printed off the help instructions but I have Windows 8 and for the love of me can not get it figured out. I thought I had it once but the picture showed up too small and I used the size the instructions recommended. Maybe it'll click one of these days.

Geri B you aren't alone that is all I use also, unless one of the grandkids wants fleece .

I also prefer 108". My local store doesn't carry much so I buy it on line. Try typing "108" quilt backing. You'll be surprised how many on-line stores carry it. Keepsake Quilting carries quite a bit. I generally get mine from www.backsidefabrics.com. She carries a good range of fabrics and often has good sales. I even buy it for smaller quilts. The rest can be used for other projects or I donate it to a group here that makes quilts for homeless children.

Here are some scrappy backs I've made and love:

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But perhaps my favorite scrapped back of all times (I was so tired of this fabric after making the front!) ...

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I like to use wide fabrics for backs, but I also will use some of the fabrics from the front to make a band of pieces to add additional interest. Depends on the project, I guess!

I really like pieced backs so if my quilt is wider than normal WOF, I will piece some patchwork into the back. And I do it sometimes even when the normal WOF would work just because I like it. :)

Another way to keep some extra fabric to repair the top is tuck some behind the label--that way it will be washed, etc when the quilt is. But I really like to use widebacks on bed quilts, it's easier, you don't have to worry about seams "stacking" with the top and back bouncing the long arm, etc.

Why not? Scrappy can work for a back as well as a front.

As a long arm quilter I really appreciate this suggestion. It would make quilting pieced backs much easer.

Hi Tartan,
Can you please detail how you doing your backing in the Bellaboo method. Thanks

I use sheets for smaller quilts. I use fabic 108 found at Hancock fabric

I'm not Tartan, but maybe I can help. You really don't need to make the tube to accomplish this pieced backing in this way. Just leave one piece whole and cut the other one in half right down the middle. An easy way to find the middle is to fold it in half and cut that fold off. Cutting off just a 1/16th of an inch or less will do it. Then sew one of the halves to one side of the whole piece and the other half to the other side. You have two seams equal distances from the middle.

If you can understand this, maybe you will also understand the tube method where you sew these two seams first and then cut one of the pieces down the middle. The cut-off-the-fold method works here, too.

While I like the 108" backing, I usually use a pieced backing. When I remember to do so, I use the tube method. I make the backing from my favorite fabric used in the quilt top.

I love to use the wide 108" for backing. Solids show the quilting design better than a busy print so depending on the quilt design I plan to do I keep that in mind when I select my backing.

I try to put some left over pieces of fabric from quilt top in the backing. That way if repairs are ever needed there is fabric in the backing to repair the top. It is the same age, has been washed as often and the same way. The may be a slight color difference but usually not great.

I'm with Dunster! I like the back as interesting as the front and often use extra blocks and pieces from the front rearranged in another way- usually in a minimalist kind of way. Especially if I am doing novelty quilts for the grandkids. That way they cant outgrow the quilts for a while.

I like the 108". quiltfabric4less.com sells the bolts at a fantastic price.

A lot depends on what I'm quilting. If it's a larger quilt, I prefer the extra wide fabric so that I'm not spending extra time piecing it to", gether. Solid colors will show all of your quilting stitches. The good, the bad AND the ugly. My preferred backing fabric is a creme colored floral print because it's neutral and doesn't try to compete with the front. If I'm making a child's quilt that is just a little wider than 40", I've made a cut in the backing fabric and added a strip of leftover blocks. Just don't try to add the strip right in the middle. Do it about 12-15" in from the side. That way it looks more like an intentional accent piece, rather than a patch to make it bigger.

I like the wide backs. I usually buy mottled fabrics or a simple, muted print. I've bought the wide backs mostly at Mary Jos Cloth Store in Gastonia, NC, but I see their prices have jumped way high. They may be cheaper in the store. I haven't been in there lately.

But having said I like the wide backs, I've been strongly considering switching to QAYG, so I could be using smaller pieces of fabric. I'm not sure if I'll do a single block at a time, or a row of blocks at a time. I could continue to use the wide backs, and piece the batting in strips, piece the blocks and sew into a strip, then just add a strip of blocks to the quilt at a time. I'm quilting with a DSM.

Have you ordered from them before? They only sell by the bolt? Their prices are very good but I would want to talk to someone that has ordered from them before! Thanks!!

Back fabric is important to me unless it's a table runner or wall hanging. Even if it's on a bed, when you turn a corner of the quilt, you see it. So, I try to pick a fabric that, I hope, enhances the entire quilt. I love how so many of you piece your backs and use left over fabric!!

Sometimes I use flat sheets as backing.

Since I mostly due 120 x 120 inch quilts I have to piece the backings no matter what. I shop and L&M in Anaheim and they have Robert Kaufman in the flat fold section and I chose my backings from there as it is good quality. If I can get a good deal on wider fabric I will buy it but that doesn't happen very often.

I prefer a small print, usually one of the lights that would be in the quilt. If I make a big quilt, I try and get something in the 108" wide because it seems to be a bit less expensive (I see it for around $18.99 per yard (which is really 1/3 because it's 3 yards wide), but good fabrics are running upwards of $12.50 per yard. I also use good quality fabrics on the back unless it is a utility quilt.

That is a great idea!! :)

I do a mix of everything! I use wide quilt backing, but I tend to save that for quilts that cost more for the top fabric or are a bit more complicated. I also have a stash of fabric that I bought when it was on close-out at JoAnn's and there was enough left on the bolt to piece together for a back. For scrappy quilts, I'll piece together two or three different fabrics from my stash. Finally, I'll sometimes go to JoAnn's and find something special for a quilt.

I try to always use wide fabric for the back. But, I have learned to be very careful with the quality of the fabric though and open the fabric completely so I can see a single layer of the fabric. I first look for the color I want, then quality. Poor quality? I pass on the fabric even if the color is perfect. Just yesterday, I could not find the best color and ended up with 45" batik. It is lovely, perfect color but I will need to return to buy more becasue I did not calculate correctly and don;t have enough for the binding. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/eek.png That seldom happens with the wide backs. Always enough leftovers for binding and a little bit of scrap to add to my stash.https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/boy.gif

I like to get wide backing if I can find for a reasonable price. I shop BackSide Fabrics often for their sale and bargain backs (remnant pieces) usually buy blender prints in colors I like. I also look for fabric on sale usually $5 or $6 dollars a yard and like quiltsRfun am building a stash of backing fabrics.

I love wide backings. I look around to see who has the best prices at the time for the top I have finished. Marshall's Dry Goods usually has a great selection and good prices. I have not had a problem with the quality of the fabrics either.
I rarely piece together a backing. I have one now that has entered my UFO box because I just can't get it right. It is pieced.
There are a number of options available for backing fabrics. I believe the backing is as important as the top so quality and proper fit are important to me.

Have you tried Silk for Quilt? It was surely popular https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/silk

S@ifeeWeave5's post above is spam! Do NOT click the link! Reported.

No, it is not - https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/silk is to an article from the Smithsonian about silk. It also has a picture of a log cabin quilt made in silk as well as a crazy quilt. Also some info about silk and picture of silk factory.

ETA original post by S@ifeeWeave5 Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)

more thoughts on quilt backings
 

While I think pieced backings can look good when using an allover quilting pattern, I have found that they don't work well with custom quilting. I have tried them a couple times and it's nearly impossible to coordinate the quilted lines with the blocks on the back. For example, if you quilt in the ditch somewhere on the front, the quilted stitches on the back inevitably are crooked or slanted in relation to the blocks on the back.

I have used both 108" and 45" fabric for backing. The choice really depends on the pattern and color I can find. I tend to use mostly reproduction/civil war fabrics for my quilts and have difficulty finding wide backing in those prints.

In the days bygone, I use to use the 44” fabric for backing. 2 or 3 strips sewn together. Now I only use the 108” or even the 120” fabrics. Especially if you’re taking your quilt to a longarm quilter.

My apologies - it was the first post of a new member with barely more than a link in it - unfortunately having the characteristics of classic spam on this group.

Again, my apologies to the poster.