Width for Quilt Backing
#1
Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Southington, CT
Posts: 819
Width for Quilt Backing
When you make a quilt backing, do you make it 3 to 4 inches greater than the quilt top? I so hate to waste fabric and I cut mine only 1 1/2 to 2 inches larger and don't have a problem. I do starch the heck out of the backing so maybe that's why I don't "lose" any fabric as I quilt?
#2
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
If you quilt it yourself and you are happy with the results, then continue as you have been doing. When I did mine on a domestic machine, I usually went with the same amount as you. I didn't use quite as much starch as you mention. The extra fabric gives you something to hold on to when the quilting gets close to the edge.
If you take it to a long arm quilter, however, they need the additional fabric to attach it to the frame.
If you take it to a long arm quilter, however, they need the additional fabric to attach it to the frame.
#3
I quilt on a longarm, so I try to make the backing 4" wider all around. I don't find it to be a waste of fabric, since after quilting I trim off the extra and use it, usually as binding for the same quilt, sometimes in scrap quilts.
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
2 inches all around if I am quilting it myself on my sewing machine. If it is going to the longarmer, then 4 inches all around. I just did a lap quilt with only 1 inch on one side because it had a border I wanted to include.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Wis
Posts: 5,928
I quilt on a sit-down quilting machine, so I sandwich my own quilts. I don't cut the backing much bigger either, probably the same as you. The only challenge (for me) is keeping it even along the edges when I'm basting.
#10
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
At least 4" all around since I long arm quilt. The extra is necessary for loading the quilt on the frame. I trim after quilting and use the excess either for binding or for other projects. No waste.
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Rachelcb80
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05-26-2010 12:51 PM