I used the search feature to find pictures of quilt backs. I didn't have much luck.

What do you use for the quilt backs? I know I don't want flannel and was thinking I'd put some sort of a design on it.

I'm making a log cabin. Would it look ok to make larger squares for the back? I thought maybe 1 per corner and then maybe 1 centered in the middle.

I don't think I have enough fabric for a border in the same color as the outer front border. Would it look strange to use a different color on the outer border as long as it was on the front of the quilt?

Thanks for your thoughts!

I have only pieced one quilt back, but there have been many people who have shown their quilts that they did piece the back.

If you'll look through the picture section most people show pics of the back as well as the front of their quilts.

For backings I have used sheets (I've had no problem, but some question the quality of the fabric), I've pieced the back from leftovers of the front, I've bought yardage and cut it in half then sewn the long sides together, I've bought actual backing fabric that's 108 inches wide so you just need to buy enough to cover the width of your quilt. There are many, many ways to do a backing.

Here's a pieced back - http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-159308-1.htm

another one
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-148289-1.htm

This is backing fabric - http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-155863-1.htm

Yardage that was cut and resewn - http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-154003-1.htm


Your larger squares would work fine. I think the pieced backs are most interesting.

I think what you suggested will be fine.

It is really neat if you piece your back,a lot of quilters do it.

Thanks for the help and ideas! When I searched I used "quilt backs" not pieced backs. I'll try the search again with different terms.

Thanks!

I piece a complete back. I get to try another pattern and get more practice. Since I have to pay for the fabric anyway, I might as well be learning.

I have pieced many/most quilt backs. I also use sheets sometimes. I like Ikea sheets best but they have a limited # of colors in their single sheets.. I have also used sheets with patterns that come from thrift stores after washing & drying them on hot.

If the quilt is a special gift I will use LQS quality fabric on the back all one type and color or pieced lift overs from the front. Wall hangings, everyday hard usage quilts, and chairety quilts I will use sheets, or good quality muslin.

I have seen people use many different colors and prints on the back just to make the back a back. Make sense?

centering a backing is challenging to me. If I was going to put a block or blocks on the back, I would offset the blocks on purpose.

This site :

http://www.maryquilts.com/

She has at least one pieced backing idea. Check out her free patterns along the left side.

I saw this quilt backing and felt really inspired. It's a great point that you can actually have two quilts instead of one, and it's great extra practice. I'm including both the front and back of the quilt.

Oh, and by the way, that backing was entirely pieced, even what looks like blue fabric. It isn't. It's pieced 4" squares throughout.
And it's awesome!

Wow! That quilt is amazing and beautiful too. I wondered if it was totally pieced or fabric sections.

I also hadn't thought about it being hard to line up.

Thanks much!

Here's the back to my zigzag quilt, I pieced it.

This is just me, but I would stay away from a heavily-pieced back and keep it simple, to avoid having too many seams to quilt over.

If you would redraft the log cabin into one super sized block, it would look fabulous on the back--even if you had to add extra to the top and bottom.

Here's the backing I sent to Charismah for her boys to quilt that I want to send to a young man currently serving in Afghanistan.

Joyce (Hope it comes through--first time sending a picture)

Awesome

Nice!

Thanks so much for the ideas. Now to plan!

My quilting machine does not like to sew over heavy seams. It stops. I can't piece my back because of that so I buy sheets or the 108" wide fabric.

To piece in strips: add your fabric to one side of your backing fabric then sew that pieced edge to the other side of the backing - making a tube. Then lay out the tube until it's straight and even and cut it top to bottom. I do this so the pieced fabric is off center. This is much easier than cutting your fabric and trying to line things up to sew them back together. I learned this on this board.

I've only done one that was pieced, and as others have mentioned, my machine was not happy going over multiple seams on both sides. That one I fmq'd on my dm, might be easier if it is long armed. Sure comes ou pretty, though.
This is how I centered the back and front, but be careful! I put regular thumb tacks through a couple of places on the back where I wanted to make sure it matched. The tacks go from the right side of the fabric to the back. Place the back on a flat surface and CAREFULLY smooth the batting over the backing, pushing the points of the tacks thru. Then add the top, using the tacks to align the top. Pin the sandwich then remove tha tacks!
Here's a quilt where I centered a medallion
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-105995-1.htm