I was thinking earlier today that I would like to make two pieced tops(?) from the same pattern for the same size. One using my cat fabric and the other my purple. Then use one for the back and the other the front so I would have a reverseable quilt. Do you think it would work or am I NUTS? Most likely nuts but I was thinking this and decided I would get input from here before I do anything. Don't want to turn stash to trash, :lol: :roll:

I think Simply Quilts had a guest on a while back that said that was a new trend in quilting...making pieced backs so the quilt is reversible. I think it is a great idea. Let me know how it works out for you. Have been toying with trying it myself. I sometimes hate using up a big piece of fabric I really like to make a quilt back :)

I think it is a great idea! I've seen 2 sided table runners - 1 side for Halloween & the other for Thanksgiving so why not a reversible quilt. Think of the possiblilities!!

One of our local quilt stores was actually hosting a class in reversible quilts.

And I just helped a girlfriend make two quilts (for her twins) and we did big patchwork on the backs. They turned out great, but the back was pretty non-critical for the quilting part of it.

I think you can handle it!!! You go, girl!!

M

I think it would be do-able.....my first thought tho, (not to put a damper on the idea) was this.... when it comes time to match the edges for binding it, how would one go about that?... but I guess a wide border ...at least on one side would help with that. Another would be the quilting....an all over meander, or patterned quilt design would probably work, but you couldn't stitch in the ditch on one side and expect it to land in the same spot on the other, right? LOL

I guess I thought of that because I am still stuck in the ditch....been practicing my free motion tho!

i'm doing a pieced back now in pursuit of a reversible quilt. i'm still trying to figure out how to make sure everything lines up on both sides since there is no sashing on either side. i'll let you know if my idea works ... as soon as i have an idea and try it. :lol:

Some antique quilts were made this way - with a winter (dark) and summer (lighter colors) side.

I posted pictures of a quilt I gave a friend and I did just that. Here are the pictures again. the back was bright and the front subdued wasn't sure which one she would like more.

Dawn, that's really pretty! Did you quilt in a meandering pattern? Or something specific?

As for DebJ's original question: I think using the same pattern with different fabrics is a great idea! Can't wait to see what you do!

rf

I have a quilt that my grandparents made for me around 1985 that was made in exactly the way you are talking about.

I think it's sounds like a good idea, You can only try so good luck to you.
Please post a picture when finished :wink:

I too have been toying with the notion of a pieced back. My question is that if you hand stitch, the stitch in back is a little tiny seed of a thing and don't show up as much as the front, so is it mainly machine type of quilting you need to do on this?

I don't think you are nuts. You would have to be careful during the quilting stage. I think I would use an all over pattern, rather than quilt in the ditch, because if the quilts aren't quite aligned it wouldn't matter.

My backs tend to be pieced out of sheer necessity! I like to use a light neutral fabric on the backs, but often that drawer is quite empty! I usually take bits of the fabric from the top and do a simple pattern on the back, usually a large irish-chain or nine-patch, or even a small sampler. If the quilting is very detailed on the front, I will make it a very large scale pattern so the quilting doesn't get hidden or break down and go with a solid back.
I like the variety and interest of a pieced back.
Shelly

When I first started quilting .. I was way misinformed that making the quilt 2 sided like what you were suppose to do. So allllll my beginning quilts are just like you are talking REVERSABLE!!! I know better now!

I saw one in a magazine. It was a quilt for a child with a checkerboard on the back.....along with it came pieces{stuffed] to play checkers.......it was real cute

It's a very good idea. There are some techniques especially for reversible quilts. Check out the following sites. I've tried two of the techniques. The last one is for using a serger instead of a regular sewing machine.

http://www.quiltyard.com/whatiscottontheory.phtml

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_qlt/article/0,2045,DIY_15080_2505414,00.html

http://www.quiltingworks.com/cabin-fever/projects/quiltasyougo.htm

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_quilting_tips/article/0,,HGTV_3307_1376658,00.html

Here's what I've been thinking...one of those hmmm I wonder if things...I've been designing my brother's memorial quilt in my head for a year now...and a wonderful gal here on the board (love ya Nita!) is giving me a motorcycle silhouette for the back, which in essence will make it reversable. The top will be a 9 patch made from brother's blue jeans and flames on black background fabric for the center patches. I'm using the front of his favorite Harley t-shirt for the center panel of the quilt. Which is a flathead engine, with flames of course. So, here's my plan...I'm going to use very light flannel for batting, quilt the top and the back seperately so it will be quilted top-flannel-flannel- quilted back. Then I'll do an invisible "tack" to put the layers together and actually quilt the boarders in a flame like pattern. In my minds eye I see it working...but implementation will tell if I'm right or not. When the quilt is finished it will be going to Dave's almost 3 yr old grandson.

I think it's a great idea....you are getting two quilts in one. :) I hope you post pictures for us to see if/when you make it. :)

I think that would be a great idea! I have one my husbands great grandmother made many years ago and it is reversible.

I did a pattern on the back of both quilts I did for my kids. I used micro swede and the white from the front of my daughters, and when bound gave her a reversible quilt. as a matter of fact, her friend liked the back side better than the front, said it was too girly, being ladybuggs and all!!!! My sons was denim and corduroy, and the back a pattern just of corduroy because I had several pieces that were to small alone. he liked both sides, said it gave him a choice to have showing. I quilted with just the basic straight lines, in a gridwork, and both sides looked good. :mrgreen:

My quilting friends and I have come up with one rule for quilting - aside from 1/4 inch seams, of course - it's - there are no rules!!! Do what you like!! Pictures would be great when you are done!!

Your idea is great - go for it. I made a reversible baby quilt using the 3rd method that Minda listed in her links.

One side was blue and the other side was pink, but I didn't want to change the colors of the quilt when I bound it. So, I cut strips of binding from the blue and from the pink and sewed them together. Then bound the quilt matching colors to the sides. It came out fine.

If I were doing it with matching blocks of different colors, I think I would quilt it in a meandering design as many have suggested. Then if the blocks are not exactly the same size on both sides it wouldn't matter.

Good luck with your project. Show us pictures as you progress through the process. It will be an interesting adventure.

Connie

It is not a strange idea. Here is one someone else has made:


http://passionatequilter.blogspot.com/2006/07/reversible-quilt-done.html

Here are a few more links to the subject.

http://boardreader.com/tp/reversible+quilt+patterns.html

http://www.quiltingworks.com/

http://www.quiltersreview.com/article.asp?article=/review/reading/book/000724_a.asp

http://www.quilttownusa.com/mom/tfbbeginners.htm

First, I am very sorry to hear you lost your brother. (need flower icon here) I can't imagine how hard that must have been on you and your family and I think it is an amazing thing you are doing by planning a memorial quilt.

Second, definitely buy a sketchbook and begin to doodle or sketch out your thoughts. I'v discovered it is an invaluable tool when designing a quilt!!!! Often we (people in general) will have a lot of great small ideas and if those aren't written down or captured somehow, we forget about them over time. If you feel a bit anxious about drawing, just make a pact that no one will see your sketchbook. I have a friend that swears she cannot draw and she does it this way. Me, I drag my sketchbook around, copying ideas (like floor tiles or patterns on carpets or moldings on buildings) and while it makes me a bit naseous, I will let my friends look through it. When I go back through it, I'm often surprised by the things I have forgotten. I'm so thankful I started a sketchbook I think if you try using one you may discover the same thing.

Hm, rereading through that it sounds a bit pushy and I certainly don't mean it that way and I hope the above doesn't offend you jb.

I first saw a double sided quilt on Simply Quilts. It is something I've always meant to try but haven't. My backs are not simply plain fabric though. I always piece together something to add interest to my backs, unless they are small pieces like table runners or pot holders or something along those lines. I find an interesting back allows me the option of turning over the quilt and enjoying a different look without having to make a second quilt. Gotta love that!
~Tiffany

No darlin, I appreciate the time you took to help me out, not pushy or offensive at all :). Even though I don't drag a sketch book around, I've used them since forever. I've sketched and re-sketched this particular project over and over again. The very first sketch was a whole cloth quilt of a man riding a cloud in a leather jacket, angel wings and blue jeans to the gates of heaven. The thought was to hand embroider. Its still on the board too...but for my neice. I think her son (Dave's grandson) would prefer Popo's harley shirt and jeans, and I know he's gonna love the silhouette! Thanks Tiffany (big hug smiley here LOL)