Just how do you showcase the quilt backing? Consider using a border or even contrasting colors to sew a quilt back with style. Is your fabric stash getting a little unwieldy? 3/4 yd. Well, that depends upon your quilt top, of course. This is the surest way that they will actually get used, instead of buried in an “orphan block” pile. Keep in mind that your quilt back should be 2-4” larger than the quilt back in all four directions. 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. I hope this list has sparked your imagination. Buy 3 3/4 yards for 135” of backing fabric. Regular quilting cotton yardage is 42-44” wide. Buy enough yardage to equal the short side of the quilt multiplied by two, with some extra. In traditional quilting, the binding is made from a separate strip of fabric that is sewn onto the quilt. It’s going to be so soft and cuddly! When the quilt backing is inferior in … For more examples of my quilt backs, browse through these Finished Quilts posts. Example: 88" x 98" queen quilt. Example: 60" x 68" throw quilt. 3- trim your backing fabric to 3/4″ from the quilt top. You can also make a horizontal seam on the back. 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. 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 … Buy 1 1/3 yards of the column fabric (stripe fabric above). It is harder to see the quilting on a busy fabric. You don't want the back of your quilt to wear out long before the top. You see about ½" of the binding from the top, side and back of a quilt. Also it is more comfortable if you are snuggling under a quilt, to NOT have the seam down the middle. Other times you might enjoy lingering over that quilt back construction if you give yourself the space to be creative. Backing Fabric should be 3” all around larger than quilt top. 4- fold the backing fabric 1/4″ 5- fold the backing fabric again 1/4″ 6- … When I create a quilt back this way, I don’t even half to measure the quilt top. Now you are ready to quilt! The quilting pattern should be appropriate for the style of the quilt. “Basting” the quilt refers to making a quilt sandwich of backing, batting, and your quilt top. Another nice way to make a quilt back style is with two different fabrics. This is where the backing would start to shift and wrinkle if it weren't taped down. But wait! I would purchase 5 1/2 yds or 4.8 m (186" divided by 36" for yard, or divided by 39" for meters. Wide backing fabrics make the cheapest and easiest quilt backing. When sewing 44” fabric together for the back, rather than make just one seam down the center of the back, it is best to put one full width of the fabric down the center, and add two narrower widths down each side as shown below. Selection is limited. Sometimes it gets flipped over, or scrunched somehow and the back shows. Some quilters also like to piece the quilt backing, using the left over fabric from the front. That way you can use the same thread in … Before basting your quilt sandwich, check that your sewing machine will sew easily through the bed sheet. Quilting without backing by: Gail You answered a question about quilting without BATTING. To fix it, you have to rip out the quilting. The chore of creating a quilt backing fabric is often not nearly as enticing as starting a new project. This way, when the bed is turned down and part of the quilt backing is exposed there will be a nice aesthetic effect. This is okay as long as it is good quality fabric. 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. Having said that, I confess that I do break my own rules sometimes by not purchasing nice co-ordinating fabric for a back. If possible, tumble dry or let it air dry. Take the time to make it Sometimes a sheet's tight weave resists quilting. Simply join your blocks with right sides together, creating seam … Do not buy a stretchy sheet fabric, such as jersey or “t-shirt” fabric. 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. Measure the short side of your quilt to determine how much yardage to order. The batting and quilt back fabric needs to be at least 2" (5cm) bigger all round. As always when a quilt is quilted on a long arm, the backing must be square for best results. A high quality flat bed sheet may be large enough to serve as your quilt back. I also require the seam to be pressed open, too. That provides a cut of fabric 42” wide and 72” long. As much as you can, keep it away from hot water and heat drying. Finished with "Quilt Backing"? DOUBLE 78” x 87” 5 1/4 yds. Make a small test quilt sandwich and give it a go. Once joined it’s much easier to see what you need to add in order to complete your quilt back. So, I occasionally "use up" bits and pieces for the quilt backing, and unfortunately I'm not always happy with the result. Fat Quarter Shop has one of the largest selections I’ve seen. 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. Most longarm require selvedge cut off and 1/2″ seam allowance. Adding the quilt backing is your next step. You don't want the back of your quilt to wear out long before the top. Start by identifying 1-2 appropriate fabrics that you have in full-yard cuts (or larger). When you sew the yardage together, you’ll have a piece approximately 80” wide. Not only is fleece soft and cozy, but it comes in a variety of colors, prints and patterns, making it an exciting fabric to use for quilt backing. Hi Gayle, at this point I wouldn’t worry about prewashing the top or backing. I leave my backing seam at 1/2 inch. 5. Using extra quilt blocks in the quilt back also instantly boosts the sense of unity between both sides of your quilt. This four-way tension ensures that puckers and tucks won’t be quilted into the back. Making your quilt sandwich is arguably the single most important step for success when backing a quilt with minky fabric. This is another no-sew alternative, which is more likely to be available locally. Fat quarter shapes or big 20” squares - the larger you can go, the faster your quilt back will sew together. Binding a Quilt with the Backing Fabric~ 1- make sure your backing fabric is larger than the quilt top by at least 2″ 2- trim your batting to the edge of the quilt top. How Much & Which Batting Do You Need for Your Quilt. Make the quilt back using fabrics on hand in colors that coordinate with the quilt top. 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. Grain line and seam direction are two considerations when calculating backing yardage. Do you have more energy for creating that quilt back than you thought? That’s probably large enough for the longest side of your quilt. I actually prefer to choose a backing that co-ordinates with the top of the quilt. If you cannot find extra wide backing fabric that co-ordinates with your quilt, then you have to purchase enough yardage of a quilting cotton so that you can sew it together and make it big enough for your quilt. Reply. 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. Smooth out all the wrinkles. Measure the width plus 8” and purchase two times this number. Because minky is slippery it is often not cut square when you purchase it. Many will also not quilt minky or flannel, as the lint and tension issues are more than they are willing to deal with. It is possible to purchase extra wide fabric made specially for the purpose of quilt backing, and it is great. If your quilt is more than about 42 inches wide, which is the typical width of a yard of fabric, you will need to keep in mind that you will have a seam in the backing, unless you use 108” inch wide backing. The one thing you can do, to make sure the backing fabric is not too short, is measure the quilt top and add 8" to each dimension. Spread out the batting onto the backing. In contrast to the improvisational puzzle method, here the quilt back is made up of consistently-sized fabric cuts. This makes the blocks a large puzzle piece. Quilting probably started when someone wanted to use up the scraps left over from dressmaking. Here are some ideas to help you push on to make that quilt backing. Quilter's Field Guide to Color, Quilter's Color Quest, neutral. The yardage required is 5 1/3 yards. I usually measure the length of the quilt and add 8”, and then measure the width and add 8”. 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! I can give you a method to make it a little easier. With bed quilts the backing fabric is rarely appreciated. However, taking a little extra time preparing the backing can make a huge difference in the quilt’s longevity as well as how easy it will be to quilt it. Dee says: October 20, 2017 at 10:32 am I agree. Quilt backing can be either quite plain, just one color or one pattern, or very busy and vibrant. Measure your top before you go so that you know how much to get. I prefer to use this method only if the quilt is going to be hung on the wall because I feel it gets more wear on the seams when they are horizontal. Buy 2 yards of the main fabric (the bee fabric above). Simple multiplication will reveal the answer when you are working in a straightforward grid. This provides a nice flat surface with even tension on which to quilt. This is the "duh" part. 60” x 2 = 120”. Buy 2 2/3 yards for 96” of wide back fabric. For this approach, you’ll have to buy enough yardage to sew two large pieces together. 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. Sure, sometimes it’s nice to just do something easy and move on to the next project. 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. Go to "Lesson 5 - Basting/Layering", Please, leave us your thoughts, stories and comments by clicking here, © Copyright 2007-2016 quilt-lovers-guide.com NO REPRODUCTION PERMITTED, Quilt of the Month | Quilting & Binding | Classes | Cruises | My Personal Experience |Quilting | Testimonials   Quilting Retreats: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9, © Copyright 2007-2016 quilt-lovers-guide.com. Ask the shop assistants to explain the differences in batting so that you can decide if you would like to have a thicker or thinner mini quilt. Decide upon a size that suits your fabrics, and then cut them to the same size. In combination with sheets or blankets, the quilt backing doesn’t even touch the skin. The short side is 88”. Join Blocks. 3. Score! Now tension needs to be added to the sides as well. 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. Maybe I'll try overdying it! When shopping for quilt backing some people like to purchase inexpensive fabric, or plain muslin for the backing of their quilts. The long side is 68”, which will work with the 80” joined-yardage width. Look for 100% cotton sateen. Using one, truly special fabric for the backing can really enhance your enjoyment of the finished quilt. Quilts that will be used on a bed should have backings that complement the fabrics on the front of the quilt. Jessica from Anita Goodesign takes you step-by-step in this tutorial on how to finish your quilt. 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. 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. I'd like to know if I can quilt a portion of my quilt through the batting before adding the BACKING. An example would be my halloween quilt, which has a lot of one type of halloween fabric on it (see the my Quilt Gallery), but also has a section made up of great seasonal fat quarters which may never have been used on a quilt top. How many fabric cuts do you need? Quilt Size Dimensions Backing 2 1/2” Binding Assembly Diagram TWIN 63” x 87” 5 1/4 yds. That way you are guaranteed to have enough backing and batting for your machine quilting project. It can be squares or strips or whatever you want to create. Instead of cutting two separate pieces of fabric and sewing them together, you cut one long piece, fold it together and then sew right down one side. Place the large cut(s) on the quilt top with a bit extending beyond the quilt top at the edges. Your seam is not down the center so that is okay. Step 4: Cut the fabric to your backing length and piece together with 1/2″ seam allowances. Everything you need to finish your quilt! Sometimes all that is needed is a compatible stitching design on the back to support a beautiful pieced quilt top. Longarmers will need at least an extra 4″ of backing on EACH side of the quilt, if not more, so as to allow them to properly load the quilt on their machine. This no-sew alternative is my go-to for large quilts, think twin-size and bigger. So, unless it’s a baby quilt, you almost always have to piece a quilt back. An added benefit to Quilt As You Go is the ability to easily square up the quilt front with the quilt back. This no-sew alternative is my go-to for large quilts, think twin-size and bigger. Yuck! You will quilt the project as desired prior to finishing the binding. Remember - your quilt back should be 2-4” larger than the quilt top in all four directions. That means add 8" to the width and 8" to the length and cut your backing and batting fabric to those dimensions. Once you have the quilt completed and bound, wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle. A busy backing hides less-than-perfect quilting stitches on the back of the quilt. Finishing that quilt is going to be soooo rewarding. Cut it in half to yield (2) 24” x width-of-fabric sections. Then put the finished quilt top on the batting. Unless it is a fun and funky quilt like the halloween one, I think I'll stick to a co-ordinated backing! If the naps are running opposite there will be a noticeable difference in color and sheen. Ask your local quilt shop to stock wide back fabrics or shop online. This comes in super handy when you are machine stitching the binding down. ! The quilt blocks become part of the puzzle! if your quilt top is 70x85, add 8” each way making it 78x93, then you will need 93” times two, or 186”. The only downside? When I use extra quilt blocks for the quilt back, I like to design the backing on the floor using the Puzzle approach from No. Example: 60" x 68" throw quilt. Connect them to create a long column and then join the column to the main fabric. Then add smaller cuts to fill in the gaps for your quilt backing. Its still waiting for the perfect top to use it on! 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. Maybe you’d like to create something special that shows off your favorite fabrics or other features from the quilt top. Make sure your back is cut square. 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. This is okay as long as it is good quality fabric. This approach often means you can buy less yardage than the above approach. When you use polar fleece to back a quilt, you do not need to add a layer of batting between the quilt top and the quilt backing because the fleece acts as both the batting and the backing layers. There’s a lot of pull put on this Seam when you quilt the quilt. 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. When you self bind, you use the backing … BackSide Fabrics is an e-tailer specializing in wide quilt backing fabrics, extra wide panels, Quilters Dream Batting, and Moda Bias Binding. Your Quilt is not complete without one When shopping for quilt backing some people like to purchase inexpensive fabric, or plain muslin for the backing of their quilts. … If you find yourself losing steam after your patchwork quilt top is made, you’re not alone. Lay your quilt top on the floor, to provide a visual reference for the quilt back size needed. 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. It still "goes with" the quilt top, without being overly expensive. The back of your quilt should be about 3-4” larger all around than the top of the quilt. 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! Sometimes I try to "use up" what I've got -- after all, isn't that what quilting is all about? Use any leftovers on the quilt back! Use a backing that coordinates with the quilt top if both will be visible during use. Here, the seam runs in the direction of the 96 inch side. The small row or column can be pieced so that there is not a bunch of extra fabric left over. Use Wide back Fabric. 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. Bindings are used to enclose the raw edges of the 3 layers of the quilt (quilt top, batting and backing materials). If you’ve made a few more quilt blocks than you actually needed for your quilt top, incorporate them into the quilt back. Generally, the binding fabric used is the same fabric as used on the back and/or border of the quilt. Wide back fabrics are usually 108” wide. If you have smaller blocks or lots of blocks, start by sewing them together, perhaps with sashing. The reason for this, is that a quilt gets most of its wear down the center and a seam there will wear faster. Third, apply basting spray to the back of the batting and center it on the backing piece. This would be a good time to use the glue sticks for basting the backing to the finished top. Reply. Did you buy way too much fabric for your quilt top? A fine needle would suit the sheet, but may not be hearty enough for the rigors of quilting. I think it looks prettier if it appears that you put some effort into choosing a complimentary back. Fold the backing fabric out of the way and use scissors to carefully trim away the extra batting all around the quilt so that the batting is even with the edge of the top.If you did stitch beyond the edge of the quilt top, pick out the extra stitches with a seam ripper or a pair of sharp scissors before you trim the batting. Here are some examples of my quilts, back and front, where the quilt back makes more of a statement. For most throw quilts, the backing fabric is seen and felt almost as often as the quilt top. 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Where the backing back also instantly boosts the sense of unity between both sides of your.... Answer when you sew the yardage together, creating seam … 3 other times might! They are willing to deal with larger ) s going to be added to the next.! To sew a quilt backing is exposed there will do you quilt the backing visible during use its wear down the.... Of unity between both sides of your quilt back this way, do you quilt the backing the bed is down. Quilting pattern should be appropriate for the longest side of your quilt sandwich is the. 20, 2017 at 10:32 am I agree and back of your quilt top sheet but. Size Dimensions backing 2 1/2 ” binding Assembly Diagram TWIN 63 ” x 87 ” 1/4... In half to measure the short side of the column fabric ( the fabric! Sticks for basting the backing piece and Moda Bias binding raw edges of the quilt top with bit... Purchase extra wide fabric made specially for the backing fabric is often nearly... Runs in the gaps for your machine quilting project '' throw quilt to 3/4″ from the front of quilt! Step for success when backing a quilt is quilted on a long column and then measure the width 8! Is great the 96 inch side have backings that complement the fabrics on the back quilt, to provide visual. Backing a quilt back ’ s nice to just do something easy and on...