beauford

I have used pieced fabric and even used some left over added in to make back. The last customer quilt I used the extra wide backing fabric because I had nothing left that would look good . So now just finished a t-shirt quilt top I am on the fence pieced or whole ? What do you prefer? I will quilt on hq16

stillclock

i prefer whole cloth backs, though i have seen some awesome pieced ones too.

would a whole cloth back give a t-shirt quilt some needed stability?

i have never made one of those...

aileen

zozee

I like whole cloth.

QuiltingCrazie

Whole cloth is cheaper but honestly I think the quality of the fabric is cheaper. Just my opinion. I have bought both and even the moda wide backs seem to be corse compared to yardage. I haven't washed any yet so I don't know if they get softer. Whole cloth is definitely less work

DOTTYMO

I prefer a whole cloth backing although I have tried piecing my backing. One major problem a LAQ had with a friends pieced backing was it matching her front seams and the bulk being very difficult to sew over. I think it broke needles and thread.

hopetoquilt

[ATTACH=CONFIG]449696[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]449697[/ATTACH]This is the back and then the front of a t-shirt baby quilt I made for my cousin. I pieced the back with leftover t-shirts that were the wrong size for the front. It was machine quilted on my DSM. I did not have problems with the quilting. I like wide backs and pieced backs. It depends on how much fabric I have to use for the back. If it is a gift for someone like my sons teacher/PT/OT, I lean towards using a wide back. If it is for me or a close family member, I will do whatever...

happyquiltmom

The wide backs are intentionally more coarsely woven to enhance the quilting process. They are not intended for piecing purposes. I've used them only a couple of times. I will often piece my backs, using leftover fabric from the front. Sometimes they get quite "interesting." I even made a reversible quilt once, pieced on both sides.

mpspeedy2

I am working on a T shirt quilt for a customer. I purchased a set of double bed sized sheets from Walmart. They are I think 300 thread count 100% cotton and soft as butter. I plan on using the flat sheet for the back and cutting up the bottom sheet for borders etc. If I need the extra fabric I can also cut up the pillowcases. I am usually a hand quilter but for this project I will machine quilt on my Bernina. The worst part is having to stabilize all of those shirts.

DebraK

Interesting factoid about wide backs. Thanks.

Shelbie

mpspeedy2 don't cut up the pillowcases! Use them to store your finished quilt. Many quilters like to rotate their quilts and may even change them seasonally. I launder my finished quilt and then store it in its matching pillowcase. If I have a pile of quilts in the linen cupboard, I don't have to pull out quilts to check which one I have. One look at the pillowcase lets me know. I often make a matching pillowcase with the scraps just for this purpose or add a strip of quilt fabric to the purchased pillow case for easy identification and it looks great!