KatieMar

Hello QB members,

I have a prolem and I hope you can help me.
I am making a quilt for my nephew's new home. He asked for a black and white quilt (white background) with a grey backing.
Here's my problem: did the top (pleased with that), found backing fabric in grey, sandwiched it all, started quilting....... now the backing is showing through the batting so all the piecing seams are clearly visible.
I feel that these seamlines are very distracting.

Do you have any idea how I can solve this "showing through" problem?
If I line the top with white fabric will it become too stif?

Please, any suggestions?
Thanks,

Katie in The Netherlands

linda faye

Hi Katie. You did a great job with the quilt. As for being able to see your seams, I am sorry but I do not have an answer for you. I can tell they are even and show the 1/4" we try to achieve.

I am sure one of our boards experienced quilters will read your post and have a suggestion for you soon. Thanks for posting.

MacThayer

White is so notorious for showing seams. That's why I stick with Kona white and lights. Really helps with this problem.

What you can do with your current situation is to back each block with fusible interfacing. I've used the lighter weight of the fusible interfacings to solve exactly this problem, but do a "test block" first to make sure what you pick out will do the job. Would be great if you had some "extra" interfacings lying around to test on the blocks.

I've tried just lining the top in the past. I haven't found it to be effective, especially if my batting is already white. The only time it really worked was when I used a white sheet, and then tacked it down everywhere, so the sheet was held tightly against the top. It wasn't working otherwise. Just a word of warning, if you're planning to FMQ this quilt, the sheet makes it a bit harder to quilt, and you should go through more than 1 needle because the sheet is woven to tightly, it will dull your needle. But I did FMQ mine, so don't let it deter you!

CarolynMT

first question is what color is your batting? My guess is you are using a warm/natural or other natural cotton fabric. You have to use bright white batting that should keep the white seams from showing. I have used both kona white and another thinner white, the batting is the key

Tartan

You can see the seams through the white fabric but it doesn't spoil the look of the quilt. They are neat and nice and straight so don't worry about it. If they were in weird places or angles that distracted from the pattern I might change it.

PaperPrincess

I personally don't find the seams distracting either.
What color is your batting? Here in the states, they make a bleached cotton batting that helps in this situation. You could try adding a layer of light weight cotton, or maybe white flannel between the top and the batting and see if that helps. The extra layer will add warmth. If you have any left over fabric, I would make up a small sample and experiment a bit to see what works. The sample could then be used as a doll quilt or table topper.

nhweaver

As quilters, we are our own worst critic. I didn't even notice the seams, until I read your post. Lovely job.

QuiltnNan

i agree that the seams are not distracting. it's a great quilt.

HillCountryGal

You might try some sort of backing as suggested...

OR, quilt it and call it good. I agree, we are our own worst critics. Once it's done and on the bed, doubt most people wouldn't see what you're seeing. Good work.. it's really nice.

ArtsyOne

I've never considered this to be a problem. After all, everyone knows that a quilt is made up of many pieces of fabric sewn together. I think that once you quilt it, the seams won't be so noticeable. Yours are so beautifully straight that you should consider them a part of the design.