I actually prefer to choose a backing that co-ordinates with the top of the quilt. Use Wide back Fabric. Did you buy way too much fabric for your quilt top? I think it looks prettier if it appears that you put some effort into choosing a complimentary back. Then add smaller cuts to fill in the gaps for your quilt backing. Here are some ideas to help you push on to make that quilt backing. How many fabric cuts do you need? It’s helpful to use a backing piece that is approximately 2.5” longer and wider than a mug rug top, or 3″ wider on all four sides of a quilt to make centering it easier. 60” x 2 = 120”. Simple multiplication will reveal the answer when you are working in a straightforward grid. So if this is your first quilt, you may want to use a background fabric that matches your quilt top in value—lightness or darkness— or in busy-ness. Finishing that quilt is going to be soooo rewarding. Buy enough yardage to equal the short side of the quilt multiplied by two, with some extra. Wide back fabrics are usually 108” wide. When it comes to binding your quilt, there is one little thing that I like to do to make the quilt just a little bit nice– match the bobbin thread to the quilt backing fabric. This makes the blocks a large puzzle piece. Make a small test quilt sandwich and give it a go. 3. In contrast to the improvisational puzzle method, here the quilt back is made up of consistently-sized fabric cuts. This no-sew alternative is my go-to for large quilts, think twin-size and bigger. “Basting” the quilt refers to making a quilt sandwich of backing, batting, and your quilt top. But wait! Smooth out all the wrinkles. Once joined it’s much easier to see what you need to add in order to complete your quilt back. The chore of creating a quilt backing fabric is often not nearly as enticing as starting a new project. You don't want the back of your quilt to wear out long before the top. The only downside? A busy backing hides less-than-perfect quilting stitches on the back of the quilt. 3/4 yd. Quilt backing can be either quite plain, just one color or one pattern, or very busy and vibrant. This provides a nice flat surface with even tension on which to quilt. Reply. Making your quilt sandwich is arguably the single most important step for success when backing a quilt with minky fabric. Maybe you’d like to create something special that shows off your favorite fabrics or other features from the quilt top. Since you can see the quilt top during this process, it’s easy to imagine how your developing quilt back will coordinate with the quilt top! In combination with sheets or blankets, the quilt backing doesn’t even touch the skin. The back of your quilt should be about 3-4” larger all around than the top of the quilt. Is your fabric stash getting a little unwieldy? The small row or column can be pieced so that there is not a bunch of extra fabric left over. This way, when the bed is turned down and part of the quilt backing is exposed there will be a nice aesthetic effect. Quilts that will be used on a bed should have backings that complement the fabrics on the front of the quilt. Fat Quarter Shop has one of the largest selections I’ve seen. 5. This is probably the most important step in making your quilt, because if it’s not done correctly it can ruin your quilt no matter how good you are at quilting! It is possible to purchase extra wide fabric made specially for the purpose of quilt backing, and it is great. With bed quilts the backing fabric is rarely appreciated. That way you are guaranteed to have enough backing and batting for your machine quilting project. Cut it in half to yield (2) 24” x width-of-fabric sections. Choose a quilt backing with an interesting motif and then quilt from the back along the fabric's printed lines, to transfer the design to the front. When you sew the yardage together, you’ll have a piece approximately 80” wide. I normally wouldn’t quilt to the edge using this method and instead quilt 1” away from the edge or so…but it was an afterthought with this little quilt. Grain line and seam direction are two considerations when calculating backing yardage. Now, if for instance, your quilt is about 60” wide, then I would not make two narrow side panels, -- I feel it is already offset from center by having one full panel of 44” and adding about 20” on one side only. Quilt Size Dimensions Backing 2 1/2” Binding Assembly Diagram TWIN 63” x 87” 5 1/4 yds. Just how do you showcase the quilt backing? I would purchase 5 1/2 yds or 4.8 m (186" divided by 36" for yard, or divided by 39" for meters. This is okay as long as it is good quality fabric. That provides a cut of fabric 42” wide and 72” long. Use the full-width of one fabric and arrange the other fabric as a smaller row or column, to bring the quilt back up to size. Some quilters also like to piece the quilt backing, using the left over fabric from the front. When loading a quilt back onto a quilting frame, it is rolled onto two rollers – one at the top of the fabric and one at the bottom. This means if the length of your top, plus the 4” top and bottom, adds up to less than 90" (45”x2)then you could use two widths of fabric. Selection is limited. For example, suppose the backing you need for a quilt is 52 inches wide by 96 inches long and the fabric you wish to use for the backing is on a bolt of fabric whose width is 43 inches. … I'm afraid I must also say that I have in the past purchased yards of fabric at a sale, thinking I could someday use it on the back of a quilt. Generally, the binding fabric used is the same fabric as used on the back and/or border of the quilt. Connect them to create a long column and then join the column to the main fabric. When I baste the quilt, I am careful to gently stretch the minky just a tiny bit and tape it in place on my floor (or you can use tables for easier accessibility if … That way you can use the same thread in … Also it is more comfortable if you are snuggling under a quilt, to NOT have the seam down the middle. If you think about it, making the quilt back is actually an opportunity to sew another quilt in fabrics/colors that coordinate with your first one. If you quilt to the edge of your quilt top…you’re going to see it in the binding of the quilt on the back. It saves you time because you don’t have to sew long pieces together, and if you are hand quilting you don’t have any extra seams to sew through. This is where the backing would start to shift and wrinkle if it weren't taped down. Unless it is a fun and funky quilt like the halloween one, I think I'll stick to a co-ordinated backing! This is a great way to use fabrics that have been hanging around for awhile or ones that are more fun whole, rather than chopped up for patchwork. How Much & Which Batting Do You Need for Your Quilt. You can also make a horizontal seam on the back. If the naps are running opposite there will be a noticeable difference in color and sheen. 3- trim your backing fabric to 3/4″ from the quilt top. Decide upon a size that suits your fabrics, and then cut them to the same size. For this approach, you’ll have to buy enough yardage to sew two large pieces together. The fabric is folded in half before attaching to the quilt so when you fold it over the raw edge of the quilt, it also encapsulates the raw edge of the binding. If possible, tumble dry or let it air dry. This is okay as long as it is good quality fabric. Finished with "Quilt Backing"? Well, that depends upon your quilt top, of course. You will quilt the project as desired prior to finishing the binding. When shopping for quilt backing some people like to purchase inexpensive fabric, or plain muslin for the backing of their quilts. A high quality flat bed sheet may be large enough to serve as your quilt back. Here are some examples of my quilts, back and front, where the quilt back makes more of a statement. If the quilt is wider than the normal 45” fabric (it is also a good idea to measure the exact width of the fabric you are purchasing as widths vary from 40-45”), then you will need two lengths, i.e.