Suggestions for Picnic Quilt Backing?
 

Good afternoon quilters! I need some suggestions for a Washable quilt backing for a picnic quilt I'm making. I do not want to use blue denim because it won't coordinate with the quilt top which is in autumn colors with a yellow/gold inner border and binding and a large 8" purple outer border. (I used the Bittersweet fabric line by Nancy Halvorsen.) The quilt needs to look pretty rather than utilitarian because it's going to be a wedding shower gift for my temperamental step-daughter.

What have you had success with for picnic blanket backings?

Thank you all for taking the time to respond!

Would a light weight thermal lined fabric - those used for curtains - be of any use. I have used them for backings on placemats and they wash up beautifully. They come in all colours.

My picnic quilts all have regular cotton backings. I used a thin polyester batting to cut down on shrinkage, the quilts have held up well for picnics and beach visits.

Maybe you can find some denim or duck cloth in an Autumn colour?

I use regular good quality cotton fabric. It will take a lot of washing and unless it is dragged around it should last a long time. My DD takes hers to football, baseball and to the park with three kids.

If you can find it, a new cotton twill (bottom weight) would work really well.

Denim comes in a large variety of colors and would be the most durable. It also comes in a variety of weights. That would be my first choice. Any quality fabric would work.

Thank you for your interesting suggestion! I'll look into it.

You do know that blue jean fabric comes in more colors than just blue, don't you? I have found gold, purple, red, off-white too.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I've been looking online at duckcloth and colored denim and will start visiting my local quilt shops for a compatible backing.