How about that? Three quilts off to the quilters!
Took me about three hours to cut, sew and press all three backings. I always put that step off as long as I can for some reason. That is boring sewing, for sure.
Do you piece your backings? I didn't used to. I liked finding matching fabric and buying 7 or more yards of it for the back. It is just too expensive to do that anymore. These days, I usually will buy around 4 1/2 yards of coordinating fabric for the back, and then adding in pieces of other smaller cuts until I get the size backing I need. Also, if I can, I wait until I can find coordinating backing fabric on sale somewhere. The internet is great for searching for various collections that are not current and have been discounted.
Some people get super creative with piecing their backings–me, not so much. If I have to piece, I typically just add a strip of other fabric right down the center of two backing pieces. And I always, always raid my stash for the extra fabric I need.
One of my quilts measured 74 x 86, meaning that I needed a piece of backing that was at least 82 x 94. Luckily I had two 82" lengths of the plaid fabric, but sewn together they would have been only 82 x 82. So, I knew I had to piece the back to get that 94+ inches that I needed.
The center strip of tannish gold fabric is around 14 inches wide and 82 inches long. My two side pieces are each 41 inches wide, so the addition of the center strip gives me a piece of fabric that is now 96 inches wide. The center strip is also pieced–I cut a piece of the gold fabric 41 inches long, cut it in half so I had two pieces 20 x 41 and stitched them together so they made a long strip 20 x 82 to go down the middle of my two 41 x 82 inch long pieces. The 20 inches was actually a bit too generous, so I trimmed it down to be 14 inches wide. Finished backing size is 82 x 96, which gives my quilter plenty of room to "load" the quilt on her quilting machine. Clear as mud?
So, tell me, do you piece your backings too? Or do you just bite the bullet and buy the right amount of yardage that is required?
66 responses to “Hi Ho Hi Ho, It’s Off To Be Quilted We Go”
Like you, I used to purchase a large amount of fabric for the back but I don’t do that anymore. I got tired of wrestling those big pieces of fabric around and found that I left my quilts sitting and not getting quilted because I hated getting the backing ready. Now I piece my backs and most recently have been using my 20 inch ruler a lot more to cut huge squares to use for the back. I can always find fabric in my stash for a 20 inch square and I end up with a pretty patchwork backing when I’m done!
Like you, I used to purchase a large amount of fabric for the back but I don’t do that anymore. I got tired of wrestling those big pieces of fabric around and found that I left my quilts sitting and not getting quilted because I hated getting the backing ready. Now I piece my backs and most recently have been using my 20 inch ruler a lot more to cut huge squares to use for the back. I can always find fabric in my stash for a 20 inch square and I end up with a pretty patchwork backing when I’m done!
Like you, I used to purchase a large amount of fabric for the back but I don’t do that anymore. I got tired of wrestling those big pieces of fabric around and found that I left my quilts sitting and not getting quilted because I hated getting the backing ready. Now I piece my backs and most recently have been using my 20 inch ruler a lot more to cut huge squares to use for the back. I can always find fabric in my stash for a 20 inch square and I end up with a pretty patchwork backing when I’m done!
I’ve decided that I prefer the look of a solid piece of backing, but am always concerned about the price. There is a free Craftsy class, by Elizabeth Hartman (uber talented quilt designer), about piecing quilt backs. I took the class and tried her methods, and found that I spent a week making the quilt backing! I won’t do that again. (In retrospect, my backing was probably too detailed). I think if I decide that I have to piece the back, I’ll do what you did.
I love reading your blog, Nicole. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into creating it. I also appreciate that you don’t have ads all over the place!
Have a great weekend.
I’ve decided that I prefer the look of a solid piece of backing, but am always concerned about the price. There is a free Craftsy class, by Elizabeth Hartman (uber talented quilt designer), about piecing quilt backs. I took the class and tried her methods, and found that I spent a week making the quilt backing! I won’t do that again. (In retrospect, my backing was probably too detailed). I think if I decide that I have to piece the back, I’ll do what you did.
I love reading your blog, Nicole. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into creating it. I also appreciate that you don’t have ads all over the place!
Have a great weekend.
I’ve decided that I prefer the look of a solid piece of backing, but am always concerned about the price. There is a free Craftsy class, by Elizabeth Hartman (uber talented quilt designer), about piecing quilt backs. I took the class and tried her methods, and found that I spent a week making the quilt backing! I won’t do that again. (In retrospect, my backing was probably too detailed). I think if I decide that I have to piece the back, I’ll do what you did.
I love reading your blog, Nicole. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into creating it. I also appreciate that you don’t have ads all over the place!
Have a great weekend.
I love pieced backs and the creativity that they can add to a quilt. I am a Longarm quilter and realized years ago what a challenge picking and squaring up the large backs were for many of my customers. So I began to offer this task to my customers for free as I am set up to work with large pieces of fabric. They get the backs they want and I get square and easy to work with backs. Win,win.
I agree with the prices of fabric it is worth it to shop around, I still like and use quiltshops.com which I think I first learnt about from you Nichole.
I love pieced backs and the creativity that they can add to a quilt. I am a Longarm quilter and realized years ago what a challenge picking and squaring up the large backs were for many of my customers. So I began to offer this task to my customers for free as I am set up to work with large pieces of fabric. They get the backs they want and I get square and easy to work with backs. Win,win.
I agree with the prices of fabric it is worth it to shop around, I still like and use quiltshops.com which I think I first learnt about from you Nichole.
I love pieced backs and the creativity that they can add to a quilt. I am a Longarm quilter and realized years ago what a challenge picking and squaring up the large backs were for many of my customers. So I began to offer this task to my customers for free as I am set up to work with large pieces of fabric. They get the backs they want and I get square and easy to work with backs. Win,win.
I agree with the prices of fabric it is worth it to shop around, I still like and use quiltshops.com which I think I first learnt about from you Nichole.
I piece my backs most of the time. Usually just the way you did this one. I am learning to shop my stash first! I generally find that I have something that will work even if I have to piece several 1-2 yd cuts together. Makes the backs fun and interesting!
I piece my backs most of the time. Usually just the way you did this one. I am learning to shop my stash first! I generally find that I have something that will work even if I have to piece several 1-2 yd cuts together. Makes the backs fun and interesting!
I piece my backs most of the time. Usually just the way you did this one. I am learning to shop my stash first! I generally find that I have something that will work even if I have to piece several 1-2 yd cuts together. Makes the backs fun and interesting!
Applause for having 3 quilts ready to be quilted!!
My backing decision depends on the quilt top it will be sewn to. Since I graduated from plain muslin backings, many of my quilt backs are pieced from coordinating fabrics from my stash or from pretty sale yardage that coordinates.
If the quilt is a special one, I try not to piece the backing but I do watch for sales on backing fabrics and NEVER pay full price. For that reason, my stash holds many backing fabrics that are mostly lovely neutral shades.
Hugs!
Applause for having 3 quilts ready to be quilted!!
My backing decision depends on the quilt top it will be sewn to. Since I graduated from plain muslin backings, many of my quilt backs are pieced from coordinating fabrics from my stash or from pretty sale yardage that coordinates.
If the quilt is a special one, I try not to piece the backing but I do watch for sales on backing fabrics and NEVER pay full price. For that reason, my stash holds many backing fabrics that are mostly lovely neutral shades.
Hugs!
Applause for having 3 quilts ready to be quilted!!
My backing decision depends on the quilt top it will be sewn to. Since I graduated from plain muslin backings, many of my quilt backs are pieced from coordinating fabrics from my stash or from pretty sale yardage that coordinates.
If the quilt is a special one, I try not to piece the backing but I do watch for sales on backing fabrics and NEVER pay full price. For that reason, my stash holds many backing fabrics that are mostly lovely neutral shades.
Hugs!
Good Morning!
I used to buy the wide backing fabric & then just cut it down to what I needed.
Since my DH has been talking more and more about retiring and with the costs of everything going up so high I’m thinking that more pieced backings are in my future.
Actually, it would be a good thing since I have more stash than I could ever use in my lifetime. . . . and if we are going to move I really, really, really, don’t want to have to more all the boxes of fabric that I have. Or, Heaven forbid, have it end up in a Goodwill Shop or yard sale for next to nothing.
Have a wonderful day!
Sherry V.
Good Morning!
I used to buy the wide backing fabric & then just cut it down to what I needed.
Since my DH has been talking more and more about retiring and with the costs of everything going up so high I’m thinking that more pieced backings are in my future.
Actually, it would be a good thing since I have more stash than I could ever use in my lifetime. . . . and if we are going to move I really, really, really, don’t want to have to more all the boxes of fabric that I have. Or, Heaven forbid, have it end up in a Goodwill Shop or yard sale for next to nothing.
Have a wonderful day!
Sherry V.
Good Morning!
I used to buy the wide backing fabric & then just cut it down to what I needed.
Since my DH has been talking more and more about retiring and with the costs of everything going up so high I’m thinking that more pieced backings are in my future.
Actually, it would be a good thing since I have more stash than I could ever use in my lifetime. . . . and if we are going to move I really, really, really, don’t want to have to more all the boxes of fabric that I have. Or, Heaven forbid, have it end up in a Goodwill Shop or yard sale for next to nothing.
Have a wonderful day!
Sherry V.
I think this is an interesting question. I used to try for one-piece backings but I found that if it was very large, it was really awkward to handle and get squared. Now I find I like pieced backings because they can add interest, be easier to handle, and the cost is much lower. Cost has become a huge issue for me since I have retired and I am also trying to use up more of my stash.
I think this is an interesting question. I used to try for one-piece backings but I found that if it was very large, it was really awkward to handle and get squared. Now I find I like pieced backings because they can add interest, be easier to handle, and the cost is much lower. Cost has become a huge issue for me since I have retired and I am also trying to use up more of my stash.
I think this is an interesting question. I used to try for one-piece backings but I found that if it was very large, it was really awkward to handle and get squared. Now I find I like pieced backings because they can add interest, be easier to handle, and the cost is much lower. Cost has become a huge issue for me since I have retired and I am also trying to use up more of my stash.
Oh, boy…this topic is right up my alley!! I spend quite a bit of time planning my quilt back as I’m piecing the top. I may piece a few extra blocks to use along with 9-patches, strips or ‘checkerboards’ made from scraps for the back. I buy the backing yardage suggested on the pattern & it’s almost always used up because my mini-top on the back needs ‘borders!’ It’s a good way to use those leftover piecing scraps from the top that I don’t know what else to do with!
Oh, boy…this topic is right up my alley!! I spend quite a bit of time planning my quilt back as I’m piecing the top. I may piece a few extra blocks to use along with 9-patches, strips or ‘checkerboards’ made from scraps for the back. I buy the backing yardage suggested on the pattern & it’s almost always used up because my mini-top on the back needs ‘borders!’ It’s a good way to use those leftover piecing scraps from the top that I don’t know what else to do with!
Oh, boy…this topic is right up my alley!! I spend quite a bit of time planning my quilt back as I’m piecing the top. I may piece a few extra blocks to use along with 9-patches, strips or ‘checkerboards’ made from scraps for the back. I buy the backing yardage suggested on the pattern & it’s almost always used up because my mini-top on the back needs ‘borders!’ It’s a good way to use those leftover piecing scraps from the top that I don’t know what else to do with!
Buying large pieces of fabric makes me sweaty and nervous:). I always piece a backing from leftovers and stash if I can. The only time I don’t piece is when I use Minky. I’ve got some tops to send out too. The longarmer who spoke at our guild said you can just include separate leaders out of anything–it doesn’t have to be expensive designer fabric. She says she has a customer who gives her the same gingham leaders to use for every quilt 🙂
Buying large pieces of fabric makes me sweaty and nervous:). I always piece a backing from leftovers and stash if I can. The only time I don’t piece is when I use Minky. I’ve got some tops to send out too. The longarmer who spoke at our guild said you can just include separate leaders out of anything–it doesn’t have to be expensive designer fabric. She says she has a customer who gives her the same gingham leaders to use for every quilt 🙂
Buying large pieces of fabric makes me sweaty and nervous:). I always piece a backing from leftovers and stash if I can. The only time I don’t piece is when I use Minky. I’ve got some tops to send out too. The longarmer who spoke at our guild said you can just include separate leaders out of anything–it doesn’t have to be expensive designer fabric. She says she has a customer who gives her the same gingham leaders to use for every quilt 🙂
I enjoy lap and bed size quilts so I am right there with you on the cost of the backing. I love using the 108″ or 90″ wide backing. It saves me so much time. The downside is the limited prints available in these wide fabrics, and even more limited Flannel Wide backings. The quilts I have made to give away tend to need the flannel since they will live in the northern states and the flannel adds more coziness to the piece.
When i don’t find something nice I piece like you did. I take advantage that I’m piecing the back to get a label into the quilt and it saves me time attaching it after it’s quilted. I have started buying the backing fabric earlier in the process since I always get stuck looking for a backing that will play nice with the front. But the whole process is a chore that I don’t enjoy at all.
I enjoy lap and bed size quilts so I am right there with you on the cost of the backing. I love using the 108″ or 90″ wide backing. It saves me so much time. The downside is the limited prints available in these wide fabrics, and even more limited Flannel Wide backings. The quilts I have made to give away tend to need the flannel since they will live in the northern states and the flannel adds more coziness to the piece.
When i don’t find something nice I piece like you did. I take advantage that I’m piecing the back to get a label into the quilt and it saves me time attaching it after it’s quilted. I have started buying the backing fabric earlier in the process since I always get stuck looking for a backing that will play nice with the front. But the whole process is a chore that I don’t enjoy at all.
I enjoy lap and bed size quilts so I am right there with you on the cost of the backing. I love using the 108″ or 90″ wide backing. It saves me so much time. The downside is the limited prints available in these wide fabrics, and even more limited Flannel Wide backings. The quilts I have made to give away tend to need the flannel since they will live in the northern states and the flannel adds more coziness to the piece.
When i don’t find something nice I piece like you did. I take advantage that I’m piecing the back to get a label into the quilt and it saves me time attaching it after it’s quilted. I have started buying the backing fabric earlier in the process since I always get stuck looking for a backing that will play nice with the front. But the whole process is a chore that I don’t enjoy at all.
I lov the look you can give a quilt with a pieced backing. I mean if it’s a beauty on the front it can be a beauty on the back, too, right? And let’s face it not all the blocks you made for a quilt usuall end up in the quilt but are way to beautiful to be thrown away. So, put them on the back. There’re also quite few fabrics in my stash I no longer love but they were way to expensive to give them away so to the back they go. And since I quilt all my quilts myself there’s no one to complain about a pieced backing;-)
I lov the look you can give a quilt with a pieced backing. I mean if it’s a beauty on the front it can be a beauty on the back, too, right? And let’s face it not all the blocks you made for a quilt usuall end up in the quilt but are way to beautiful to be thrown away. So, put them on the back. There’re also quite few fabrics in my stash I no longer love but they were way to expensive to give them away so to the back they go. And since I quilt all my quilts myself there’s no one to complain about a pieced backing;-)
I lov the look you can give a quilt with a pieced backing. I mean if it’s a beauty on the front it can be a beauty on the back, too, right? And let’s face it not all the blocks you made for a quilt usuall end up in the quilt but are way to beautiful to be thrown away. So, put them on the back. There’re also quite few fabrics in my stash I no longer love but they were way to expensive to give them away so to the back they go. And since I quilt all my quilts myself there’s no one to complain about a pieced backing;-)
i piece but i try to use up every scrap of fabric in the bacing and the binding. my backs are REALLY scrappy!. ;p
i piece but i try to use up every scrap of fabric in the bacing and the binding. my backs are REALLY scrappy!. ;p
i piece but i try to use up every scrap of fabric in the bacing and the binding. my backs are REALLY scrappy!. ;p
I agree with you fabric is too expensive to pay full price for coordinating backing fabric. I try to use fabric from my stash, if that isn’t an option I try to buy sale fabric or I piece with fabric from my stash.
I agree with you fabric is too expensive to pay full price for coordinating backing fabric. I try to use fabric from my stash, if that isn’t an option I try to buy sale fabric or I piece with fabric from my stash.
I agree with you fabric is too expensive to pay full price for coordinating backing fabric. I try to use fabric from my stash, if that isn’t an option I try to buy sale fabric or I piece with fabric from my stash.
Loved that you discussed backing for quilts, an expensive add-on, going up in price before our eyes. I usually like a coordinated print for my own quilts. However, I also coordinate the flow of our guild’s comfort quilts. There is a lot of donated fabric and for about the last year I have had a source for many quilt backs I needed, being once piece of fabric or like yours, a little bit of something else added.
My LAQ likes the fabric to be torn for backs in order to keep them on the straight grain. Nothing works better than tearing (and pressing and pressing) and laying fabric out on my king size bed and making sure it generously accommodates the quilt size. I see myself shopping sales more aggressively for my backs and piecing more backs. Some piecing has been very creative so I may look at that possibility for my own quilts as well in the future. I always tell people who want to know how much a quilt sells for that once a quilter has done all the piecing, there is the cost of backing which can be expensive, and then the cost of the LAQ. It’s not a cheap endeavor, even though it’s home-made with love.
Loved that you discussed backing for quilts, an expensive add-on, going up in price before our eyes. I usually like a coordinated print for my own quilts. However, I also coordinate the flow of our guild’s comfort quilts. There is a lot of donated fabric and for about the last year I have had a source for many quilt backs I needed, being once piece of fabric or like yours, a little bit of something else added.
My LAQ likes the fabric to be torn for backs in order to keep them on the straight grain. Nothing works better than tearing (and pressing and pressing) and laying fabric out on my king size bed and making sure it generously accommodates the quilt size. I see myself shopping sales more aggressively for my backs and piecing more backs. Some piecing has been very creative so I may look at that possibility for my own quilts as well in the future. I always tell people who want to know how much a quilt sells for that once a quilter has done all the piecing, there is the cost of backing which can be expensive, and then the cost of the LAQ. It’s not a cheap endeavor, even though it’s home-made with love.
Loved that you discussed backing for quilts, an expensive add-on, going up in price before our eyes. I usually like a coordinated print for my own quilts. However, I also coordinate the flow of our guild’s comfort quilts. There is a lot of donated fabric and for about the last year I have had a source for many quilt backs I needed, being once piece of fabric or like yours, a little bit of something else added.
My LAQ likes the fabric to be torn for backs in order to keep them on the straight grain. Nothing works better than tearing (and pressing and pressing) and laying fabric out on my king size bed and making sure it generously accommodates the quilt size. I see myself shopping sales more aggressively for my backs and piecing more backs. Some piecing has been very creative so I may look at that possibility for my own quilts as well in the future. I always tell people who want to know how much a quilt sells for that once a quilter has done all the piecing, there is the cost of backing which can be expensive, and then the cost of the LAQ. It’s not a cheap endeavor, even though it’s home-made with love.
I usually piece my backings. Except for a quilt I made for me Mum’s bed. Knew it wasn’t going to show, so just pieced two solids together for the back. I have been very creative with some of my backings…where I love them so much. Lots more work, but definitely worth it to me. I did a post on backings a long time ago… http://browndogprims.blogspot.com/search?q=backing
I usually piece my backings. Except for a quilt I made for me Mum’s bed. Knew it wasn’t going to show, so just pieced two solids together for the back. I have been very creative with some of my backings…where I love them so much. Lots more work, but definitely worth it to me. I did a post on backings a long time ago… http://browndogprims.blogspot.com/search?q=backing
I usually piece my backings. Except for a quilt I made for me Mum’s bed. Knew it wasn’t going to show, so just pieced two solids together for the back. I have been very creative with some of my backings…where I love them so much. Lots more work, but definitely worth it to me. I did a post on backings a long time ago… http://browndogprims.blogspot.com/search?q=backing
I do the same as you – usually try to find one piece that is long enough, then piece in the rest- my favorite was the time I used fat quarters down the side from light to dark. I also delay getting my backs together – I have a stack of tops that just need a back! Maybe I will make one of them my goal for this weekend!
I do the same as you – usually try to find one piece that is long enough, then piece in the rest- my favorite was the time I used fat quarters down the side from light to dark. I also delay getting my backs together – I have a stack of tops that just need a back! Maybe I will make one of them my goal for this weekend!
I do the same as you – usually try to find one piece that is long enough, then piece in the rest- my favorite was the time I used fat quarters down the side from light to dark. I also delay getting my backs together – I have a stack of tops that just need a back! Maybe I will make one of them my goal for this weekend!
Sometimes I piece backings but other times I’ll splurge for a wide backing fabric. It kind of depends on the quilt and whether it is really a special one or just an “everyday” quilt. And I too have a stack waiting to go to the longarm quilter fairly often. Putting on the binding once I get them back is the other thing that seems to get delayed. I’m finally caught up again with only 1 binding waiting.
Sometimes I piece backings but other times I’ll splurge for a wide backing fabric. It kind of depends on the quilt and whether it is really a special one or just an “everyday” quilt. And I too have a stack waiting to go to the longarm quilter fairly often. Putting on the binding once I get them back is the other thing that seems to get delayed. I’m finally caught up again with only 1 binding waiting.
Sometimes I piece backings but other times I’ll splurge for a wide backing fabric. It kind of depends on the quilt and whether it is really a special one or just an “everyday” quilt. And I too have a stack waiting to go to the longarm quilter fairly often. Putting on the binding once I get them back is the other thing that seems to get delayed. I’m finally caught up again with only 1 binding waiting.
For baby quilts or wall hangings, single piece backs are no problem. But I agree with you–for lap or bed quilts those large cuts are unaffordable! Ouch! I usually do something similar to what you are describing with the different stripe down the middle or I try to sew an extra block of something from the front quilt pattern and incorporate that as a “surprise” on the back. Somehow working with those larger pieces for backing always becomes a math nightmare and I make so many miscalculations!!
For baby quilts or wall hangings, single piece backs are no problem. But I agree with you–for lap or bed quilts those large cuts are unaffordable! Ouch! I usually do something similar to what you are describing with the different stripe down the middle or I try to sew an extra block of something from the front quilt pattern and incorporate that as a “surprise” on the back. Somehow working with those larger pieces for backing always becomes a math nightmare and I make so many miscalculations!!
For baby quilts or wall hangings, single piece backs are no problem. But I agree with you–for lap or bed quilts those large cuts are unaffordable! Ouch! I usually do something similar to what you are describing with the different stripe down the middle or I try to sew an extra block of something from the front quilt pattern and incorporate that as a “surprise” on the back. Somehow working with those larger pieces for backing always becomes a math nightmare and I make so many miscalculations!!
I hand quilt, so I bite the bullet and buy extra-wide backings … fewer seams to contend with. 😉
I hand quilt, so I bite the bullet and buy extra-wide backings … fewer seams to contend with. 😉
I hand quilt, so I bite the bullet and buy extra-wide backings … fewer seams to contend with. 😉
I’m not fond of piecing backing. Lately, I’ve been more often buying 108″ fabric. It ends up being less expensive and less work. The only problem is there aren’t as many options.
I’m not fond of piecing backing. Lately, I’ve been more often buying 108″ fabric. It ends up being less expensive and less work. The only problem is there aren’t as many options.
I’m not fond of piecing backing. Lately, I’ve been more often buying 108″ fabric. It ends up being less expensive and less work. The only problem is there aren’t as many options.
I have liked buying fat quarter bundles. Usually there are too many in the bundle and some that I don’t like. Those are the ones I try to use in a pleasing pattern for the back. Even four quarters wasted in the bundle adds up to a yard of stash that I really don’t want. I enjoy reading your blog and seeing the quilts you create.
I have liked buying fat quarter bundles. Usually there are too many in the bundle and some that I don’t like. Those are the ones I try to use in a pleasing pattern for the back. Even four quarters wasted in the bundle adds up to a yard of stash that I really don’t want. I enjoy reading your blog and seeing the quilts you create.
I have liked buying fat quarter bundles. Usually there are too many in the bundle and some that I don’t like. Those are the ones I try to use in a pleasing pattern for the back. Even four quarters wasted in the bundle adds up to a yard of stash that I really don’t want. I enjoy reading your blog and seeing the quilts you create.
I used to buy coordinating fabric for my backs, but fabric has gotten too expensive to do that now. I normally will watch for sales either at my LQS or on-line and try to purchase backs for my quilts, buying several at a time.
I used to buy coordinating fabric for my backs, but fabric has gotten too expensive to do that now. I normally will watch for sales either at my LQS or on-line and try to purchase backs for my quilts, buying several at a time.
I used to buy coordinating fabric for my backs, but fabric has gotten too expensive to do that now. I normally will watch for sales either at my LQS or on-line and try to purchase backs for my quilts, buying several at a time.