Quilting using the backing design
 

I'm curious if anyone has ever quilted their quilt following the design on the backing. If yes, would you have any advice?

yes, on my long arm I did add a strip of plain muslin to all 4 sides so I had something to clamp onto other than the top (which was actually on the bottom). Loaded the backing like it was the top and started quilting. Worked very well.

Great inquiry and a terrific idea to have in your quilting library...thank you both for posting and sharing.

I’ve done it a couple of times - it’s fun! No advice needed, just turn the quilt over and start quilting!

it's a great idea in my estimation.

I did once and pulled it out...back side was cheater Wedding Ring Design and my front was Irish Chain. Since I'm not a FM'er I did it w/walking foot just following the design. Nope didn't like it so rip/rip/rip...

Benartex fabrics has a wide backing that is printed in a wash out ink of a meandering feather design. The intention is to quilt from the back. My problem is sometime my backside that is now the front side doesn’t look as good as the front side which is now the backside.

I’ve done that several times. Since it involves sewing on the backside of the quilt, I usually get anxious that the tension will get funny. So I constantly flip it over to check it- but that’s probably just me. But other than that, it worked out well. Once I had an Angela Walters backing and the quilting looked so good on the front. I was like “Hey I’m Angela!”

Thank you for your comment. I wish I had a long arm or at the very least a mid arm machine. My current set up is a Janome 1600P on the Little Gracie II frame. The backing I intend to use for this quilt project is multiple circles which isn't a problem at the beginning of the quilting process but becomes one the further I go because of the decreased space made from rolling up the quilt. I could of course do it sitting at my sewing table but in all honesty I don't much care for struggling with a quilt in that manner. So I probably won't pursue this idea - drats anyway.

I've done this before, if your tension is good and the stitches look good on both sides, it is awesome for those of us who are a bit design challenged... I used a large Hawaiian print.