width of seam on backing?
 

Hi all... my quilty friend and I had a lovely day today sewing... first on the quilt block challenge for the county fair (whew, glad that block is finished!)... then on our own projects. Here's my question, and it's an easy question for you I hope, but I really want/need to know??? Do I stay with a 1/4" seam on the two lengths of fabric I'm sewing together for the backing of a small quilt I've finished? It seems as though it should be a little deeper seam, but I really don't know? Thanks for helping!!

I use a half inch to a 5/8ths inch seam on my backing.

thanks, Scissor Queen... your advice sounds great!! I'm off to finish this backing!!

I still use the 1/4" seam on the back because you are going to quilt it anyway. I didn't know you use a different size seam for the back.

If the quilt is not being put onto a longarm is it necessary to have a wider seam on the backing? Is that the only reason for a wider seam or is there another reason? I've always wondered.

I also sew 1/2" ish for the backing.

piney

Aside from longarming, I think it depends a lot on the quilting. If you have a seam in the backing running the length of the quilt without quilting lines running over it periodically, then I would want a wider seam because of the additional stress the seam will be subjected to.

There really is no reason to use 1/4" seam on the backing anyway, unless possibly if you are handquilting (and even then it probably would make very little difference to a hand quilter).

I use a 1/2" seam when joining pieces for a quilt back. But I take it a step further. I'll then grade the seam (cutting one smaller than the other) so that when I press them to one side, it avoids a big lump where you go over the three layers of fabric. If you press your seam open, then it doesn't matter about the grading of the seam allowance.

I use a 1/2" seam... just my preference!

Ditto -- I like the wider seam for the binding. I also use a diagonal seam (Ala John Flynn. http://www.multi-patch.com/html/diag...calculator.php ) for smaller quilts since I am less likely to have the backing seam in the same place as any of my longer top seams.

It really doesn't matter - use 1/4" or 1/2" or anything in between. It makes no difference if it's going to be longarmed. Just be sure the seam is secure and flat.

I also use 1/2" seam for the backing. Isn't the reason for 1/4" seams in quilting because of the pieced blocks and the need for less bulk?

I find the 1/2" seam easier to keep flat. A lot of times I don't cut off the selvage - I know it won't have a problem with unraveling and the 1/2" seam takes it past the selvage edge.

I also use 1/2" seam for my backing :)

ditto from me. i've not had a problem with any backing seams coming apart

Thanks for asking that question running1. I hand piece/quilt but I hadn't thought about making the seam allowance wider on the backing. I TRY to find wide fabric so I don't have to piece the back but it doesn't always work out that way!

I've always used 1/4" seams in my binding and never had a problem.
Sue

Use about 1/2" and always press seams open.