Purchasing 108" backing fabric for your front sashing.
#11
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 184

Is "sashing" the borders? If yes, I mostly use 45", pieced diagonally, but I do save my left over 108" backing and use it as borders if it matches the top. In fact, I just finished a top where the borders are just that, left over 108" backing.
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: My own private Idaho
Posts: 181

If the color is right, I use it regardless of the width. I have only had an issue once with a wide fabric, and it was the fault of the person who cut it. When I spread it out on the table, it was more like an hourglass shape than a rectangle. I barely got the yardage I needed out of it. Because of the shape, I think I lost about 6 inches side to side.
I think the wide widths are more cost effective if you are paying MSRP. I also like them for borders because there's no seaming required. I don't have any issues using wide widths.
I think the wide widths are more cost effective if you are paying MSRP. I also like them for borders because there's no seaming required. I don't have any issues using wide widths.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,164

Not for ssashing or borders but for piecing. I bought a purple/black checked backing for a couple backings, borders and binding. I'm still using it for piecing as I'm getting down to the last bit of it. Think I might have ordered around 10 yards when it was on sale back then and this was before 2018 as I haven't ordered any fabric since Nov 2018.
#14
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,859

I often choose wide backings for using on fronts, blocks, borders, whatever. There are literally hundreds of great wide backing fabrics on the market now. I get most of mine from fabric dot com but I know there are other places with good selections too. Our little local quilt shop carries some beautiful wide batiks along with some prints and solids.m
#16

yes and no ... some backing fabrics aren't the same as their 45" siblings. I bought a grunge backing once that was had the same name as a 45", but it had a totally different feel. It was not soft like the 45" .
#17

I don’t buy wide backs specifically for use on the front of a quilt. But I do try to position the quilt on the backing so I have the least amount of waste. What’s left when the excess is trimmed away I use wherever I can: binding, sashing, borders, piecing! I especially feel lucky when I can manage binding or borders out of it because you get nice long strips.
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Central NM
Posts: 1,464

I purchased way to much of a 108. Gold tone pattern. Definately a "what was I thinking purchase." Now I'm pretending the back is really the front. Muted color so works great as a neutral for my scrappy quilts. I bought both sides so I'm using both sides...lol
