NJ Quilter

I mostly like to use backings that contain colors from the top. Sometimes, it will be something really bold, other times, not so much. I only buy for projects so I will usually purchase the whole kit & kaboodle at the same time. Typically I will get binding fabric that will coordinate with both top and back.

Thread...I'm a hand quilter but the principle is the same...depends on how much I want my quilting to show - either front or back.

paoberle

If I have several large scraps, I will piece my backing, buying only what I need to complete the backing. If I have no scraps, I may use something very different on the back. The binding will match/blend with the pieced top and the back, but I love to turn the quilt over and find a surprise. If I want the backing to blend with the top, I take my top with me and spend time laying top and potential backings together in the store.

TexasSunshine

I try to match the backing with the front of course. If I want wide backing Hobby Lobby now carries it, it is $11.99 a yard but with the 40% off it is reasonable and also at Hancocks using a coupon is a good deal.

Sewnoma

I have a bolt of navy blue 108" wide fabric that is my current "go-to" fabric for backing quilts, as long as it "goes" with the quilt well enough.

I also stash 108" wide muslin, for another "generic" option. I also have several pieces of wide fabric prints I've picked up, in a variety of colors.

Bed quilts I tend to make a more boring backing for, but lap/throw quilts I figure the back is probably seen nearly as often as the front so I usually snazz it up a little with some pieced bits using leftovers from the front if I'm piecing the back out of standard-width fabric; or use a nicer printed backing if I'm using wide fabric.

feline fanatic

I don't stress it at all! As a LAQ, I love the ease of using wide backing with no piecing involved, so I have a lot of wide back in my stash. I buy what is on sale. I have it from very busy prints to wide muslin to tonals. Sometimes I want a flannel back on the quilt. Then I just try to choose some colors or prints that compliment my top. Sometimes I use leftover blocks or scraps from the front and do a pieced back. Sometimes I don't go by color at all but go by theme, like I did a quilt with tigers and dragons quilted on the front. The quilt was black with red yellow and orange in batik fabrics on the front. The backing I chose an asian print with dragons and tigers that was a tan color so the color did not at all go with the top, aside from the dragon and tiger theme. On one recent quilt, I used an inexpensive walmart fleece blanket. In my mind its all good and there are no rules.

ube quilting

This may not help you for these two quilts but for the future. A lot of the time I choose my backing fabric before I make the quilt to go with it. I pull colors from my backing choice for the top. I am not the best quilter so having a patterned backing helps to hide my poor skills.

Those times I make a top before I have a backing I just take the top with me to my LQS and audition fabrics.
I love the hunt!
peace

luvstoquilt301

I went to a class with a teacher and she picks a theme and uses it for ALL her backs. For example- flamingos or owls, etc. They had NOTHING to do with the front but these are her quilts so she does what pleases her. I thought it was genius.

tessagin

I just try to get it to coordinate with the binding or take scraps or photos and use those to coordinate, not necessarily match.

ManiacQuilter2

I agree with most of the posts. If I have any extra fabric from making the quilt top, I use it up on the backing so that it does look to coordinate. But it is important to think ahead of thread and with that color will determine your backing. I was taught back in the early 90s to use a busy print on the back so any of my mistakes would NOT be as obvious as if I used muslin instead.

Buckeye Rose

I buy wide muslin from Joanns when I have a 50% coupon.....muslin washes great, not a lot of shrinkage with better brands, can get up to 120" wide, matches everything, very soft after washing, and saving the best for last - it is cheap!