Quilt Backing
 

What type of fabric should I use for quilt backing and where should I get it?

I have pieced normal quilting cotton and used 108" quilting fabric. Piecing quilting cotton can be time consuming and seems more expensive, while the 108" fabrics are harder for me to find. I don't have a quilt shop near where I live so I have to buy online.

I have heard muslin is popular for backing. Fat Quarter Shop and Fabric.com are the places I usually purchase from. Fat Quarter Shop doesn't always have a large selection of backing fabric, and their muslin seems pricey.

I have had many problems with Fabric.com and I do not want to purchase from them anymore. Fabrics not as described, fabrics I purchased before then purchased again when I needed more were not the same color (and these were Michael Miller fabrics!!!), and some fabrics were cut slightly smaller than what I had ordered.

Thank you so much in advance!

Try Whittle's. They don't have a huge selection by the prices and service are great

Sorry you had problems with them. One thing, however, don't blame the store for re ordered fabric not matching. It is common for printed fabric to vary a bit bolt to bolt, especially if the print was popular and they had a second run. It's best to order all fabric for a project in a single cut. Check out Connecting Threads for backing fabric. Their prices are quite reasonable.

I guess it depends on the size of the quilt you are making. Big quilt, definitely wide back. My favorite thing to do is to add extra blocks from the front to the back in a vertical column, which I never put in the center. The backs are coordinating cotton like the front. But then, I make lap size only 48 - 54 wide

I love Fabric.com although I will admit since Amazon took over things have changed (and not in a good way) I don't know what problems you have had with them, but I would suggest calling their customer service. I have had a couple of problems and they were very nice and helpful One time I got the wrong fabric. They replaced it free of charge and told me to keep the incorrect fabric.. which was awesome.

I never heard of Whittles.. I will have to check them out :)

Have you looked at Missouri Star? They don't have the selection that Fabric.com does but they have wide backing.

check out Marshall Dry Goods. http://www.marshalldrygoods.com/

Try Homespun Hearth and Hancocks of Paducah which is diff from just Hancocks...Large selections and great prices when they run sales. I also order thru Missouri Star Quilt Co, Keepsake and Connecting Threads...

I use wide muslin on the back of most of my large quilts. I buy it from Walmart usually, sometimes from JoAnns, but I've found large amounts of good muslin several times at thrift stores. With the prices of good cotton these days I can't see spending a lot of money on the back of the quilt that won't usually be seen anyway.

Cari

Depends on how long you want your quilts to last.

Thank you all for responding! Hancocks of Paducah and Marshall Dry Goods seem like good places.

Thousands of Bolts also has very good prices.

I love to use flannel on the back of my quilts. And they even have flannel 108" wide back fabric. Check Quiltshops.com. Type in "flannel wide back sale" and it will show you many quilt shops that carry wide back flannel material on sale.

Missouri Star, Connecting Threads, Hancock's, are all good. While a more expensive muslin may seem not worth it, remember that most old quilts that wear out have the backs wear out first! So I don't mind paying as much for the backing as the front cottons. Angela Walters (Quilting is my Therapy) is now carrying fabrics, including widebacks in more modern prints. Just be sure to square the backing--wide backs usually are wonky due to width on the bolt.

I've been shopping with fabric.com for almost 20 years, sorry you've had problems-- I've never experienced these issues. My sister loves * Backside Fabrics* maybe try them. Hancock's of Paducah and Joanne's also offer wide backing fabrics

I just use either a wide muslin or a sheet.

I have always had great luck with FABRIC.COM! Do you live close to a Hobby Lobby? Their 108" fabric is always available at 30% off without a coupon or 40% off with one that is available on line. You can order on line from them I think.

My go to online store is Fabric Shack. Never had a problem with them. They do have a brick and mortar store so once it took a while before my order was filled. I am on a tight budget so I do piece my backing.

I don't know why I had problems with Fabric.com, but since others are saying they have had good luck, I will purchase from them again and see how it goes.
I wish I lived near Hobby Lobby! The nearest one is almost 2 hours away so I have only been there once! I will definitely see what they have online, thank you!

sorry about your problems. I love to order from Hancock's of Paducah. They have a big selection and their prices are good. Frequently have sales. Prompt service.

I like to use a flat sheet as a quilt back. I often go to Goodwill and Thrift Shops and pick up sheets for $5 or less per sheet.

ThousandsofBolts.com has a huge selection of 108" fabric, usually about $14-15 per yard. I've had very good customer service and fabrics from them.

I have used Thousands of Bolts and they have a huge selection of backing.

I got a set of queen size sheets at dollar discount store for $15.00 and after washing them they do not look bad. Pillow cases came with them also.

I always shop at green fairy.com....great specials and free shipping...Clint, at Green Fairy, is great

Sorry.....make that greenfairyquilt.com

Greenfairyquilts.com

I love Fabric.com, Connecting Threads and Marshalls. Marshalls has the best prices unless you hit a sale elsewhere, and for my purposes have a good selection. Their shipping is reasonable ($5.95 for up to 10 yards). I also use sheets. There is a charity store here that sells sheets for $2.00 - $4.00 depending on size. And many are brand new.

You've gotten quite a few good suggestions, so I would only add MSQS and Thousands of Bolts. Muslin is fine, and so are sheets that can be repurposed.. Sometimes a bedsheet is less expensive

Muslin has been used for years and is great for backing. My DM used bed sheets for her's and they were always hand quilted. I have only used regular quilting fabrics for mine. I think it is up to you what you like the best and what is easy for you to find.

Thank you everyone for all the great suggestions! You have shown me some great places to get fabric and I now have some shopping to do!:o

If I have enough I use yardage I have on hand. Have bought the 108" wide. If I can find a good quality Muslin I use that. I don't use sheets.

Try Fat Backs, or Back Side Fabrics. Back side fabrics will send you free swatches About 2 1/2 by 3" in a few different fabrics so you can see if they are the correct color and how they feel. You order them just like you are ordering the full amount. I've ordered from them several times with good results. Quilted Memories LLC also has some lovely wide backing.

As long as a quilt will not be hand quilted, I have bought white sheets and dyed to match, or bought nice used sheets from St, Vinnie's, to back quilts with. I buy king size sheets so I can use them on any size quilt. Just be sure to completely unfold them to check for stains or holes before purchasing them.

I used unbleached muslim for all old patterns and bleached muslim for new patterns. or new sheets. for king and queen size. washed first. I hand quilt mostly or SITD. I am starting to do QAYG. so will use new sheets for that. CMARAS1234

I like backsidefabrics too. They have a variety of choices: 106" 108" and 110" backing sizes at great prices. Lots of choices, & good quality. I buy this backing fabric to use on the front (some for under $10/yd):
http://backsidefabrics.com/value-col...uilt-backings/
I don't work there...not affiliated or anything...just like em.

I also like Thousandsofbolts.com She has good prices and they are all name brand fabrics. I have had great service and the fabrics are good. I love the name of her shop: Thousands of bolts, One NUT!

I have bought wide backing from Hobby Lobby and from Hancock's,( the chain store Hancock's) using a coupon and that makes it very reasonable. It is good fabric.

The prices at Whittle's are outstanding. Also check out the sellers on FB, there is a variety.