There's a great thread on the Pictures board of people's back sides. Her words, not mine! (but her humor is very similar to my own, hehe).

It now makes me think I can do this and maybe get rid of not only some scraps but some creative energy as well.

My concern is, if I have a pieced top and a pieced back, will it be too bulky (seams) to quilt properly?

Thoughts?

I have many times split the 45 inch wide fabric in half lengthwise and added blocks up the middle. These are not blocks with a huge amount of seams. Also my tops are fairly simple with no tiny Bonnie Hunter type pieces. I quilt on an ancient HQ16 and never had a problem.

It is great for those tops are are 8-10 inches wider than width of fabric. And it uses up orphan blocks. I am mainly a charity quilter and I things it adds to the whole picture.

I've added a row of pieced blocks to a few of the quilts I've made recently and didn't notice a problem with any bulkiness when quilting. I imagine a lot has to do with what machine you're quilting on, the needle type/size you're using and the thread type/size?

Best part is that it filled the gap I needed to widen the queen sized backing and it's so stinkin' cute to have a little something on the backside

Go for it!

Christine

I’ve never had a problem quilting quilts with pieced fronts and pieced backs. I have quilted them on all three of my Brother machines and also my Sweet16 and they all handle the extra seams just fine.

Rob

I iron my seams open when I have to piece the back. That eliminates some of the bulk. I use a size 16 needle for most of my quilting. The larger size handles the bulk better.

I've pieced many backings w/o problems. I usually use a 5/8th inch seam for that and press it open.

I piece all of my backs. I use the pieces left over from the front. I purchase extra front fabric for the back.

Here is the back for the quilt that is in my avatar.

It should be fine. The layer of batting would cushion the seams between the front and backing fabric(s) on each side.

For piecing large pieces of backing, I use a 1/2 inch seam allowance and press to one side. Plus I use lots of starch so it is less likely to shift. My quilts are sent out to the LA for quilting.

I piece most of my backs. I quilt w/ different QAYG techniques and have not had a problem. (but I also don't do intensive quilting) You do have to be mindful of how you are planning on quilting in relation to where main focal points will be on the front and the back.