While trimming a quilt for binding today it occurred to me that I should be choosier about my backings. I tend to use up stash fabrics that no longer carry that much appeal for me to use in quilt tops. But these are the fabrics that end up in my scrap quilts! How do you normally do your backings?
For a quilt that I care about -- carefully chosen pattern/fabrics, etc, I always am just as careful to put a back on it that enhances the top. For casual quilts, utility quilts and scrap quilts I piece backings from my stash, trying to make it coordinate with the top.
ReplyDeletePieced backs can be a lot of fun.
I use 108" wide muslin, cut to fit the size I need.
ReplyDeleteI often make a big block the same pattern as used on the top and add leftover fabrics from the top around that block. Or I use leftover top fabrics sewn together in as big of pieces as I can==as in thirds across the back or long stripes down the back. For baby quilts, I choose a coordinating one fabric for the back.
ReplyDeleteLately I've been buying high-end sheets on eBay (new, unused) in a color/pattern that makes for a reversible quilt. I do my own machine quilting on a vintage Singer model 15-91.
ReplyDeleteI buy those extra wide (108") backings when they're on sale at the various online shops. Not only are they great for quilt backs, but each yard is equal to more than two yards of 45" fabric. The last couple I got were marked down to about $10 a yard. I used one in piecing a large quilt.
ReplyDeleteOne quilt I made for a friend had the back pieced in the mile-a-minute style only using pieces up to about 8" in size. That one was completely reversible. Not sure I want to do that much work on a back again, though.
Thanks for the interesting ideas for backing a quilt. They all will be helpful as I choose more backs for future projects.
ReplyDelete