eparys

I did a quilt for my nephew and had that problem - I had some extra blocks that I did not use on the front. I slit the bake about 1/3 of the way left to right and inserted the blocks - looked like I planned it and gave the back some pizzaz!

DOTTYMO

Why not make a few extra blocks and put them on he back in a design format . I do this and it does get rid of those extra pieces of fabric you did not need for the front.

quilttiger

See reply #20 from Jan in VA. I've seen this before and I copied/pasted her diagrams. It is now inside my book, Over Easy by Lerlene Nevaril, for later use. The book is also a great resource for piecing the backs of quilts.

BLTrip

Awesome solution!! Thanks for the link!

rj.neihart

Personally, I don't see the back with extra colors as a mistake. I see it all as a work of art, creative, and not one person has ever complained. It's original - one of a kind - and could be reversible! My hand quilting is very creative....

maviskw

Lots of quilt shops and LA's have backing fabric in 108 in. width. You may have to ask to see it.
I like the look of a back with lots of different things in it.

karate lady

I prefer muslin for my backs and it comes in wide widths at Joanns. Only use prints etc on kids quilts..

bibi

Thanks for all of your great responses.

coffeebreak

Thanks everyone. I'll consider all. I used to use sheets for backs so this wasn't a problem but I have ventured out of the box trying new things and like the patterned back! In this particular case..there is a directional pattern...herd of horses running through the meadow..the pattern repeats top to bottom but my problem was width. I can cut it in the middle but that would break up the path the horses are running. and to add on each side the same fabric would do the same so I think in this case I just have to add borders to each side.

islandboundquilting

All you need to do is google extrawide qilt fabric and you will get more sites than you can shake a stick at. Unless you are making quilts bigger than 120" you will be able to do it with one piece of fabric. There is more and more available all the tme. They are even making batiks extra wide now.