linmarlang

I have the perfect fabric for the backing but unfortunately it is the same size as the quilt top. I need it to be 8" wider and 8" longer. What is the best way to piece it without getting too many seams that are going to cross each other and make it bulky? I have some left over fabric from the quilt top that I can make a strip with but I would have to run one lengthwise and crosswise and they would cross each other and make more seams and bulk. I don't want too much of the main fabric to be cut off on the outside of the quilt either as I want to include as much as I can of this fabric on the quilt back. I also have 3 narrow borders along the edges so I have a lot of seams there too so not sure if it is a good solution to add material to the edges. What is the best solution here? I would appreciate all of your help.

true4uca

I sometimes will cut my backing into four pieces and in your case do a ten inch cross . HTH.

Barb in Louisiana

I have heard of the longarm folks sewing a piece around the outside to enlarge a backing such as you have and then removing it after the quilting. Maybe some of them will chime in on what they would really prefer. For simplicity's sake, I think I would add a strip lengthwise and one crosswise such that it makes an enhancement to the back and creates a new quilt for the back. I wouldn't put a lot of seams, just plain strips of either 1 or 2 fabrics.

bearisgray

If you add strips - try to do a design where they are deliberately off-set. It is difficult/challenging/ a problem in the area - to try to get them exactly centered.They have a tendency to wander off center in the quilting process.

Tartan

Are you quilting it yourself or sending it to a longarm ear? If you are sending it out, I would ask the quilter what they prefer. If doing it myself, I would look at my top and try to put the most intricate piecing over the wide back section without seams.

tallchick

Have you tried the diagonal method?

https://jinnybeyer.com/wp-content/up...-Worksheet.pdf

bearisgray

That only works if one has enough square inches of fabric to cover the area.

Jordan

I sometimes will put extra blocks that I have made for the front into the back and piece the backing fabric around the extra blocks.

linmarlang

I am machine quilting it myself. It is a baby quilt. Thanks so much for your reply.

linmarlang

Thanks for your good suggestion. I don't have any extra blocks for this one though. I appreciate your quick response and will keep it in mind for another time.