Can you use wide backing fabric for whole cloth quilts?
 

My 16 year old son just graduated to a full sized bed (by getting all A's, 1 B and 1C on his report card). So his twin quilt is too small. He is a very minimalist child and doesn't want a lot f designs.

So I thought about doing a whole cloth on a backing fabric. Can that fabric handle it or is backing fabric made with a loser weave?

Edited to add: my son actually sleeps ON top of his quilts. Don't ask. He hates making the bed and has a hard time getting it straightened up easily... And he likes to us a fleece blanket and not sheets on top of him.

I did....no problems so far.... but it's not been used a lot and I don't expect it to be since it is basically on a guest bed (DD only comes home a few times a year and then we have guests a few times a year).

I did prewash the fabric.....

If you get a good brand (i.e. Moda, Northcott & many others) the wide backing is pretty much the same as regular yardage. I often buy short cuts to get long lengths for sashing. If you don't have a LQS, check Thousands of Bolts or Backside Fabrics, I've had luck with both.

I've found that wide backing is just like other fabric - some better quality than others.

I don't know about the fabric but I can tell you if he sleeps on top of it you will have a worn out quilt pretty quickly! My brother ruined his first one that way, when I gifted the second it was with the promise of sleeping under it!

I made a wide backing whole cloth quilt for BIL and it turned out great. Hancock's of Paducah- Wilmington Prints and Windham, I think. Both shrunk slightly when I washed on cold and dried on low- but since you are making full size you will be fine. Please post when you are done!

I would email the company first to ask about the fabric you choose, as a couple I purchased were tissue thin, very disappointing. I think the two were from Willmington -'Essentials/Complimentary'. Lucky I only got a little and not enough for whole backings.

I made one for my grandson with the Chicago Boll appliqués on the top. It is great,

I would make a reversible quilt so he could alternate the sides he sleeps on.

I would be more tempted to purchase a duvet and make a cover. Then it could come off for regular washings instead of having to wash the whole quilt.