I spent the entire day yesterday adding the borders and piecing the backing for Ahren's 1000 Pyramids quilt. Whew, I haven't spent such a tedious sewing day in ages. That is probably why I have been procrastinating getting those final steps done. However, this quilt has to get to my fabulous quilter so we can take it to Ahren when we visit him in Ireland this August.
Ahren had purchased some very pretty backing material from Deb Strain's first "Bee" themed collection "Bee Creative". It is the black floral in the upper right of the photo above. However, I ended up making the quilt larger than we had first discussed and there wasn't enough backing fabric. I am so lucky to have a great stash on hand, and had a black fabric with little gold seeds on it that I think goes ok with the other fabrics in the quilt. So, I pieced the backing, both lengthwise and widthwise. It took f.o.r.e.v.e.r. I managed to do it so the seed fabric forms a big plus sign in the middle of the floral backing.
The quilt is huge. It measured 84 x 87 once I got the borders on. So, that backing had to be bigger, and ended up 92 x 96 or so. We are talking circus tent size. I am so glad I got that project done and out the door.
So, how do you all feel about 108" backing fabric? I have to say, I am a fan. Because I am too lazy to do all this tiresome piecing. I like glamour sewing, not this boring stuff. Although it is nice when your quilt is backed by silky Moda quality fabric that is part of the collection you used. The 108" wide backing fabrics used to be stiffer and not so nice as the regular fabric, but I think they have improved over the past few years. What do you think?
54 responses to “Borders, Backings and Bindings=Boring”
What a spectacular quilt.
What a spectacular quilt.
What a spectacular quilt.
I like 108″ because there are no seams to line up horizontally. Easy to put on the longarm, tedious to iron. But I also like 44″ because I like to cut my widths of fabric, iron them separately, piece them and then I only need to iron the seam.
Your backing fabrics are gorgeous!
I like 108″ because there are no seams to line up horizontally. Easy to put on the longarm, tedious to iron. But I also like 44″ because I like to cut my widths of fabric, iron them separately, piece them and then I only need to iron the seam.
Your backing fabrics are gorgeous!
I like 108″ because there are no seams to line up horizontally. Easy to put on the longarm, tedious to iron. But I also like 44″ because I like to cut my widths of fabric, iron them separately, piece them and then I only need to iron the seam.
Your backing fabrics are gorgeous!
I think this is a gorgeous quilt 🙂
I also agree with you about 108″quilt backing fabrics. I don’t mind piecing the coordinated fabric for backing but don’t really enjoy too much of the “frankenback” look. I love those wide backings and they have definitely improved in quality.
Your son is really going to enjoy this quilt. I’m sure it was particularly enjoyable to sew as he had picked out the collection.
I think this is a gorgeous quilt 🙂
I also agree with you about 108″quilt backing fabrics. I don’t mind piecing the coordinated fabric for backing but don’t really enjoy too much of the “frankenback” look. I love those wide backings and they have definitely improved in quality.
Your son is really going to enjoy this quilt. I’m sure it was particularly enjoyable to sew as he had picked out the collection.
I think this is a gorgeous quilt 🙂
I also agree with you about 108″quilt backing fabrics. I don’t mind piecing the coordinated fabric for backing but don’t really enjoy too much of the “frankenback” look. I love those wide backings and they have definitely improved in quality.
Your son is really going to enjoy this quilt. I’m sure it was particularly enjoyable to sew as he had picked out the collection.
Applause!! Yes, into each quilter’s life must come those finishing steps:borders, backings, and bindings. But you stuck to it and it’s off to your lovely quilter. Well done!
I like the imrpved, softer 108″ wide backings and their increasing variety of colors and patterns.
Hugs!
Applause!! Yes, into each quilter’s life must come those finishing steps:borders, backings, and bindings. But you stuck to it and it’s off to your lovely quilter. Well done!
I like the imrpved, softer 108″ wide backings and their increasing variety of colors and patterns.
Hugs!
Applause!! Yes, into each quilter’s life must come those finishing steps:borders, backings, and bindings. But you stuck to it and it’s off to your lovely quilter. Well done!
I like the imrpved, softer 108″ wide backings and their increasing variety of colors and patterns.
Hugs!
The colors in the quilt are just stunning. Beautiful fabrics. I love the 108 inch backing fabric. You are right. It isn’t as nice but man it makes it so much easier. Have a great week!
Mary
The colors in the quilt are just stunning. Beautiful fabrics. I love the 108 inch backing fabric. You are right. It isn’t as nice but man it makes it so much easier. Have a great week!
Mary
The colors in the quilt are just stunning. Beautiful fabrics. I love the 108 inch backing fabric. You are right. It isn’t as nice but man it makes it so much easier. Have a great week!
Mary
Gorgeous fabrics! I purchased a 108″ backing for my own monster quilt, at the Road to CA show. It saved me sooo much time and I’m sure my quilter will appreciate it! It does feel a bit stiffer but I didn’t wash it before delivering to my quilter.
Gorgeous fabrics! I purchased a 108″ backing for my own monster quilt, at the Road to CA show. It saved me sooo much time and I’m sure my quilter will appreciate it! It does feel a bit stiffer but I didn’t wash it before delivering to my quilter.
Gorgeous fabrics! I purchased a 108″ backing for my own monster quilt, at the Road to CA show. It saved me sooo much time and I’m sure my quilter will appreciate it! It does feel a bit stiffer but I didn’t wash it before delivering to my quilter.
I can’t wait to see this quilt when you get it back from your quilter!
I agree with you about the wide backing fabrics being softer and prettier than they were years ago. There are also some really nice soft flannels in 108″ width which are lovely. And of course, the 60″ wide fireside fabric is a favourite here for our cold Canadian winters!
I can’t wait to see this quilt when you get it back from your quilter!
I agree with you about the wide backing fabrics being softer and prettier than they were years ago. There are also some really nice soft flannels in 108″ width which are lovely. And of course, the 60″ wide fireside fabric is a favourite here for our cold Canadian winters!
I can’t wait to see this quilt when you get it back from your quilter!
I agree with you about the wide backing fabrics being softer and prettier than they were years ago. There are also some really nice soft flannels in 108″ width which are lovely. And of course, the 60″ wide fireside fabric is a favourite here for our cold Canadian winters!
In all my quilt sewing, only 2 king size quilts. One was fig tree fabrics and I found a 108″ fig tree backing. Yay. That was nice! Love the fabrics in Ahren’s quilt. He has quite the eye. I recall he once brought you home a FQ bundle from Country Sampler (MN?) that was quite lovely. I thought you were quite lucky.
In all my quilt sewing, only 2 king size quilts. One was fig tree fabrics and I found a 108″ fig tree backing. Yay. That was nice! Love the fabrics in Ahren’s quilt. He has quite the eye. I recall he once brought you home a FQ bundle from Country Sampler (MN?) that was quite lovely. I thought you were quite lucky.
In all my quilt sewing, only 2 king size quilts. One was fig tree fabrics and I found a 108″ fig tree backing. Yay. That was nice! Love the fabrics in Ahren’s quilt. He has quite the eye. I recall he once brought you home a FQ bundle from Country Sampler (MN?) that was quite lovely. I thought you were quite lucky.
great job, but I am a scrappy kind of gal….I love using left over fabrics and ones I have on hand……you did great. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing. gloria g. Wellborn, FL
great job, but I am a scrappy kind of gal….I love using left over fabrics and ones I have on hand……you did great. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing. gloria g. Wellborn, FL
great job, but I am a scrappy kind of gal….I love using left over fabrics and ones I have on hand……you did great. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing. gloria g. Wellborn, FL
I hate fiddling with borders – yesterday I made a checkerboard boarder for a fig tree pattern – using 1.5″ strips cut to 1/5″ – I crossed my fingers and told myself if the corners didn’t match up properly then I would just throw on cornerstones to finish up – to my delight, the corners came out perfectly…Yeah for me. I use both wide backs and pieced backs – the tula pink swallows with big dots were my favorite wide back – it is a cotten sateen and finishes up wonderfully. I love this triangle quilt.
I hate fiddling with borders – yesterday I made a checkerboard boarder for a fig tree pattern – using 1.5″ strips cut to 1/5″ – I crossed my fingers and told myself if the corners didn’t match up properly then I would just throw on cornerstones to finish up – to my delight, the corners came out perfectly…Yeah for me. I use both wide backs and pieced backs – the tula pink swallows with big dots were my favorite wide back – it is a cotten sateen and finishes up wonderfully. I love this triangle quilt.
I hate fiddling with borders – yesterday I made a checkerboard boarder for a fig tree pattern – using 1.5″ strips cut to 1/5″ – I crossed my fingers and told myself if the corners didn’t match up properly then I would just throw on cornerstones to finish up – to my delight, the corners came out perfectly…Yeah for me. I use both wide backs and pieced backs – the tula pink swallows with big dots were my favorite wide back – it is a cotten sateen and finishes up wonderfully. I love this triangle quilt.
I’ve never used the 108″ backing fabric. I ‘plan’ the blocks I want to piece for the back as I’m sewing the top. There’s usually left over fabric that will work to make a row or a plus sign of blocks for the back that imitate something on the top. My long arm quilter comments that I spend more time on the back than I do on the top. To add insult to injury here, I love to do the hand sewing on binding!
I’ve never used the 108″ backing fabric. I ‘plan’ the blocks I want to piece for the back as I’m sewing the top. There’s usually left over fabric that will work to make a row or a plus sign of blocks for the back that imitate something on the top. My long arm quilter comments that I spend more time on the back than I do on the top. To add insult to injury here, I love to do the hand sewing on binding!
I’ve never used the 108″ backing fabric. I ‘plan’ the blocks I want to piece for the back as I’m sewing the top. There’s usually left over fabric that will work to make a row or a plus sign of blocks for the back that imitate something on the top. My long arm quilter comments that I spend more time on the back than I do on the top. To add insult to injury here, I love to do the hand sewing on binding!
Your quilt is amazing can’t wait to see the whole thing when it’s quilted.
I’m okay with putting borders on at least it’s the last step before the quilting (which I’m getting better but the actual quiting is still my sore point and LAQ are not a option in Germany) and for my backing I use mostly Rosalie form IKEA. I don’t know if it’s available in USA but I totally love it. With about 6€/m the price is amazing and it’s 60″ wide. And the quality is for a backing good enough.
Your quilt is amazing can’t wait to see the whole thing when it’s quilted.
I’m okay with putting borders on at least it’s the last step before the quilting (which I’m getting better but the actual quiting is still my sore point and LAQ are not a option in Germany) and for my backing I use mostly Rosalie form IKEA. I don’t know if it’s available in USA but I totally love it. With about 6€/m the price is amazing and it’s 60″ wide. And the quality is for a backing good enough.
Your quilt is amazing can’t wait to see the whole thing when it’s quilted.
I’m okay with putting borders on at least it’s the last step before the quilting (which I’m getting better but the actual quiting is still my sore point and LAQ are not a option in Germany) and for my backing I use mostly Rosalie form IKEA. I don’t know if it’s available in USA but I totally love it. With about 6€/m the price is amazing and it’s 60″ wide. And the quality is for a backing good enough.
lol @ glamour sewing….I recently made a queen size signature quilt as a wedding gift. I was so tired of piecing the damn front that I purchased the 108″ wof for backing and I loved it!
I usually piece my backs in attempt to use up as many scraps as I can and I still feel like I’m drowning in scraps. ;p
i love the colors of the black and orange. so beautiful!
lol @ glamour sewing….I recently made a queen size signature quilt as a wedding gift. I was so tired of piecing the damn front that I purchased the 108″ wof for backing and I loved it!
I usually piece my backs in attempt to use up as many scraps as I can and I still feel like I’m drowning in scraps. ;p
i love the colors of the black and orange. so beautiful!
lol @ glamour sewing….I recently made a queen size signature quilt as a wedding gift. I was so tired of piecing the damn front that I purchased the 108″ wof for backing and I loved it!
I usually piece my backs in attempt to use up as many scraps as I can and I still feel like I’m drowning in scraps. ;p
i love the colors of the black and orange. so beautiful!
Backing fabric is definitely better quality that it used to be. I love it, but it does have to be pre washed. That is really the only way to get those creases out of it, but after 5 – 8 minutes in the dryer, I spread it out over a bed, smooth it out, and it finishes drying and is ready for the longarm. No need to press all that fabric.
Backing fabric is definitely better quality that it used to be. I love it, but it does have to be pre washed. That is really the only way to get those creases out of it, but after 5 – 8 minutes in the dryer, I spread it out over a bed, smooth it out, and it finishes drying and is ready for the longarm. No need to press all that fabric.
Backing fabric is definitely better quality that it used to be. I love it, but it does have to be pre washed. That is really the only way to get those creases out of it, but after 5 – 8 minutes in the dryer, I spread it out over a bed, smooth it out, and it finishes drying and is ready for the longarm. No need to press all that fabric.
Ditto, newer fabric lines often have great backing fabrics, but I occasionally try to use up my stash. Love the quilt. Cant wait to see the quilting. Are you going with a Bee theme?
Ditto, newer fabric lines often have great backing fabrics, but I occasionally try to use up my stash. Love the quilt. Cant wait to see the quilting. Are you going with a Bee theme?
Ditto, newer fabric lines often have great backing fabrics, but I occasionally try to use up my stash. Love the quilt. Cant wait to see the quilting. Are you going with a Bee theme?
Both pieces you used for the backing compliment the quilt so well. All those B words can be boring, but they can make or break the quilt. I haven’t used 108″ wide fabrics for a long time. I never like the feel or the limited selections. Most shops still only carry a few and to order them in line, well, I want to feel them first.
Both pieces you used for the backing compliment the quilt so well. All those B words can be boring, but they can make or break the quilt. I haven’t used 108″ wide fabrics for a long time. I never like the feel or the limited selections. Most shops still only carry a few and to order them in line, well, I want to feel them first.
Both pieces you used for the backing compliment the quilt so well. All those B words can be boring, but they can make or break the quilt. I haven’t used 108″ wide fabrics for a long time. I never like the feel or the limited selections. Most shops still only carry a few and to order them in line, well, I want to feel them first.
Love how you came up with a creative backing, can’t wait to see it finished. I think you need to post a pic of it in Ireland 😉
Love how you came up with a creative backing, can’t wait to see it finished. I think you need to post a pic of it in Ireland 😉
Love how you came up with a creative backing, can’t wait to see it finished. I think you need to post a pic of it in Ireland 😉
The photo does not look boring. I find backings to be one of my least favourite things to do.
The photo does not look boring. I find backings to be one of my least favourite things to do.
The photo does not look boring. I find backings to be one of my least favourite things to do.