Help! I screwed up again with backing!!!

Reply Subscribe

Page 3 of 4

Thread Tools

06-10-2013, 04:05 AM

#21

quiltinghere

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: PROFESSIONAL Longarm Quilter NW Indiana

Posts: 3,398

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtsyOne

I posted a tutorial a while back when I had the same problem. What I did was to lay the backing exactly diagnonal, which leaves some large triangles where it overlaps the front of the quilt. Cut off those triangles from the backing and move them to the places where the quilt doesn't have backing over it. I'd post a photo, but unfortunately I'm at work!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...g-t194847.html

Here's the link you mentioned - GREAT photos - didn't need a word to understand what you did -

Nan

06-10-2013, 04:18 AM

#22

Kris P

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2011

Location: Twin Cities, MN

Posts: 1,141

I usually make piece backs with some sort of design on the back. I've used stripes of the fabrics from the front, and running brickwork from scraps from the top. Recently, I even used a top that was intended to be the quilt top for the back. I'd purchased a kit of Easy Breezy from a garage sale, and made it up, then felt it was just too plain, so I made a Yellow Brick Road for the front, and used Easy Breezy for the back. They were nearly the perfect sizes, and the fabrics coordinated.
Here is a link to a photo of Easy Breezy. Basically you take a width of fabric, and edge it with piano key strips of coordinating fabrics in various widths. Very fun, and comes together quickly.
http://gobstock.com/easy-breezy-patt...FRFgMgodlxEAcg

06-10-2013, 05:17 AM

#23

bearisgray

Power Poster

Join Date: May 2008

Location: MN

Posts: 24,520

It's also important to measure the usable width of the backing fabric before one starts to cut it.

Some manufacturers print info that goes almost 1-1/4 inches from the selvage edge -

06-10-2013, 05:39 AM

#24

EmiliasNana

Super Member

Join Date: Sep 2011

Location: Illinois

Posts: 5,336

Like ManiacQuilter2, I had a method to my madness. On the back of my mom's lap robe I wanted to include some beautiful fall fabric and didn't have enough...............DARN. So I cut the fabric in fourths and put those in the four corners and filled in with other fabrics, putting the label in the middle. She liked the back as well as the front![ATTACH=CONFIG]418173[/ATTACH]

Attached Thumbnails

06-10-2013, 05:42 AM

#25

bigsister63

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Ohio

Posts: 2,148

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cybrarian

I have found this site to be a very helpful reference & I also want to thank Jan for her graphics they are always SO helpful. Here's the link http://www.multi-patch.com/html/diag...calculator.php

I checked this site and it said I needed 20.45 ys of backing WHAT!!!! Then I noticed it said for diaginal backing. I know that I can back a 75x90" quilt with 6yds of 45" fabric. sew 3yds together lengthwise making backing peice 85 x 108. Now I ask the sales person to cut 3 yd peices. I may also check into the 108" backing since it really does seem cheaper! I am not really picky about my backing colors.

06-10-2013, 05:46 AM

#26

racerh

Banned

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Redmond WA

Posts: 295

I have used this little tool - http://www.mywebquilter.com/CalculateBacking.aspx
it works well but I found I bought more fabric that needed sometimes. Be sure to change the extra fabric for the sides on the

06-10-2013, 06:47 AM

#27

msrosecooks

Senior Member

Join Date: May 2012

Posts: 396

Thanks Jan in VA for the visual on backings, very helpful!

06-10-2013, 07:17 AM

#28

Friday1961

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2012

Location: Texas

Posts: 2,369

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadQuilter

Me too. Recently, I've started using a little back art - or at least I try to use up some of the left-over blocks and assorted fabrics from the projects to supplement the planned backing fabric. Then it doesn't look like I messed up should I miscalculate and have to add more.

This is what I do, too....though I messed up my latest one (got the backing, which was a frame inside a frame inside a frame on crooked).

I measure the top, and then figure the design for the backing, allowing the extra 2 or 3 inches beyond the top all around. I draw the backing plan out on paper then so I have a graphic of the measurements and how it will look as I'm putting it together. Remember to be careful if you have one-directional fabric !