Quilting from the back
 

I recently decided to use an all over stipple using my DSM. Because of the busyness of the fabric used in the blocks I couldn't keep up with the design. Therefore I decided to quilt it with the back face up. My tension looked great so I am very happy with the results. Would the "quilt police" approve? Is there something I need to know about NOT doing it this way?

I don't think anyone would know. Just keep it your secret.

Sounds like a great idea to me.

You can do lots from the back. We bought extra bobbin holders to accommodate ribbon embroidery and other fancy stitching that was done from the back. You wound the ribbon/fancy yarn on the bobbin. If your quilting does better that way, go for it.

Quilting from the back was suggested by one of my quilting teachers. She recommended it when using a print on the backing and following the design for quilting.

I've heard of that being done before. and they actually have backing fabric with quilting designs on it for this method.

It's a great alternative and you can follow the pattern on the back of the fabric too if you want. The only thing I came across as a problem when I did it was that if the front is smaller than the back, the fabric can turn under without you seeing it. So if you plan to make it this way, you may want to make your outer border a little wider and trim it back when done.

where can I find that backing?....sounds like a great idea!....I did a quick search and didn't find any, but I may not be looking in the right places.

My local library has a book in the quilting section about quilting from the back. Sorry, I don't remember the author.

Bernatex makes a couple wide fabric backing premarked and the lines supposedly wash out.

Our library also has a book dedicated to quilting from the back. It was very interesting, but I didn't try it.

Thanks for the responses and the support! I love the idea of using a backing with a pattern to follow. Or I could trace or pounce one on. Without the seams and design elements of the front this sounds like a very doable way for a newbie to quilt a design.

I've done a little quilting from the back. I was using metallic thread on top and it kept shredding. I put it in my bobbin and turned the quilt over, and I had beautiful results. No breakage, at all!

I've done this a number of times, and most often for the same reason--so I could see what I was stitching. As long as your tension is balanced so the stitches look right, I can't see any reason why you shouldn't.

I've done it too and also for the same reason. No quilt police here :D :D

When I do machine applique on both the front and the back, my sister who quilts it will do part of it from the back and part of it from the front. No one can tell if the tension is good!

As long as it works, why not? Busy can get you dizzy and for some turn into a migraine. Who needs that?

Just did it yesterday......my border was of a color that I didn't have a good marking method for. So I delineated the border area by some stitch in the ditch on the front and then turned it over, marked the border and stitched away. Very happy with the results

I've heard of this method before. In fact, one of the quilt teachers on Simply Quilts suggested taking a large scale print for the backing, then quilting around that design, as it would make FMQ easier. Remember, in quilting there are no rules.

Here is one source for pre-marked backing. There should be others.

http://www.canadianquiltshop.com/ind...a&filter_id=92

I've done that before too.....sometimes it is the best way to go.

I've quilted from the back several times. Mainly because I was using a very matched thread to the quilt top (black on black) and couldn't see where I was going. My backing was a colorful print, so the black thread showed up very well. If you stitch in the ditch first (from the front), you'll be able to see where your blocks are and see the background area clearly, when on the back side. I've also done it when the front was pieced with many busy prints and it was hard to see where I was, where I was going, etc. The Quilt Police don't need to know and if they find out "So what?"

I mostly quilt from the back. I like to use edge to edge designs. I get paper pantographs, trace a section onto golden threads paper, needle punch the design, and then use that as a stencil. I pounce onto the backing for better visibility.