Do you have good tips for making the backing of your quilt?
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Carolina
Posts: 877
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
That address didn't come out right. Try again:
http://www.multi-patch.com/html/diag...calculator.php
Better.
http://www.multi-patch.com/html/diag...calculator.php
Better.
#43
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I only cut off the selvage on the pieces I need to sew together, when making 2 or three large pieces and put the remaining selvage on the outside. It gets trimmed off when I trim the quilted top for the binding. This makes it easier for me not to get confused as to where I need to sew the sections together.
#44
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Sheets work very well for backings. I know that there are some quilters who will disagree but I have often used them. They machine quilt easily, wash and wear well and come in a multitude of colours. I look for the cotton rich sheets in King size so that I have extra to make matching pillowcases. Quilting fabric is at least $15 a metre in Canada and it's hard to justify the extra cost when a sheet can be purchased for about $10 if bought on sale. I buy them at Len's Mills, Giant Tiger (small department store) or Sears and they all sometimes have seconds available (can't often tell why they are a second) and that's when I stock up. We use sheets all the time for the back of our Community Quilts stitched by our quilt guild.
#45
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I usually add a border to the back of my quilts to add some interest, but that gives me the problem of centering everything. I work on my living room hardwood floor. First I lay out the batting which is always much larger than the front of my quilt. I spray it with basting spray and then lay and flatten the top onto it face up. Then on the batting I measure 5" around the outside of my top and cut along that line all the way around. Then I flip it over so that all I see is the batting. I use a marker to mark 5" in from the edge and now I know where the front reaches. From that, I can mark the center if I want to or I can just use spray adhesive to lay the backing face up onto the batting using that 5" line as my guide to keep the backing in the same position as the front.
#46
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Sheets work very well for backings. I know that there are some quilters who will disagree but I have often used them. They machine quilt easily, wash and wear well and come in a multitude of colours. I look for the cotton rich sheets in King size so that I have extra to make matching pillowcases. Quilting fabric is at least $15 a metre in Canada and it's hard to justify the extra cost when a sheet can be purchased for about $10 if bought on sale. I buy them at Len's Mills, Giant Tiger (small department store) or Sears and they all sometimes have seconds available (can't often tell why they are a second) and that's when I stock up. We use sheets all the time for the back of our Community Quilts stitched by our quilt guild.
#48
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I usually go to www.backsidefabrics.com. This site deals only with wide fabrics, usually 108" or wider. She has a good range of fabrics at reasonable prices, plus often has good sales. I buy these even when the quilt I'm backing is 60". I take what's left over and may use it for a pillowcase or generally I put these large pieces aside and later donate them to a group that makes quilts for homeless children.
#49
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 101
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
When I'm handquilting a project, I like to have as few seams as possible. But when I machine quilt, I love to do interesting things to the back. Mix & match pieces, add extra blocks......it adds an element of "surprise" to the quilt. And after the first few times you do it, your brain starts to think outside of the box. At least mine does.....when I'm machine quilting it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
craftybear
Links and Resources
5
04-25-2011 10:47 AM
craftybear
Main
239
10-31-2010 04:41 AM
craftybear
Links and Resources
5
09-23-2010 11:57 AM