Quilt Backing

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05-30-2011, 02:44 AM

#31

memere9

Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Dover Foxcroft, Maine

Posts: 71

If I have to piece it I try to make it 3 pieces with the largest in the center of the quilt. Definitely personal choice. A wonderful woman who I took a class from showed me a quilt on her bed and she put large squares on the back so she could reverse it and she said in 20 years she has never showed the other side. But it is a good way to use up fabric.

05-30-2011, 05:59 AM

#32

bigsister63

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Ohio

Posts: 2,148

The quilt does not care which way the backing seam goes. I put my seam sideways/horizontal. It seams to take less fabric that way. Most of my quilts are about 65 x80 so I can get away with 4 yds of 45" putting the seam sideways instead of 5.5 yrs putting the seam up and down.

05-30-2011, 06:23 AM

#33

Candela59

Senior Member

Join Date: Oct 2009

Location: Mesa, Arizona

Posts: 692

Quote:

Originally Posted by meemersmom

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlottsQuilts

Hi, I was wondering about the seam in the backing material. Do you center the seam on the back of the quilt or not?

I don't center a seam on the back regardless if pieced length or width-wise. I've always heard that you don't want seams where a quilt will be folded as frequent folding tends to weaken the threads in a seam. It is easy enough to avoid by dividing into three sections, so I've done that when piecing. Or, to avoid the problem, I have used wide backing. Here's a really good article on backings that I've had bookmarked for a long time. You might find it useful..... http://www.reddawn.net/quilt/backings.htm

Thanks for the link! I have the hardest time with backing. I won't even buy material for backing that is in anyway directional...I really am challenged! :oops:

05-30-2011, 06:28 AM

#34

Doreen

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2007

Location: El Paso Tx

Posts: 1,428

I used to piece my backings but now I only buy backings that at 108 or larger. I don't like seams. I am always looking for sales on backings. They have improved so much.
And, yes, the colors are much nicer than what they used to be. I don't use broadcloth.

05-30-2011, 06:35 AM

#35

quiltingaz

Senior Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Arizona

Posts: 651

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeymom

I usually buy flat sheet from walmart and use it for my backing.

Do you find a lot of 100% cotton sheets. I have looked for pillow cases to store quilts in and most all have polyester in them now unless you get the really expensive ones. Decided to make my own bags from muslim.

05-30-2011, 05:09 PM

#36

Marvel

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: eastern Oklahoma

Posts: 1,873

Hello. If you run the seam from the side across it will take less material.

05-31-2011, 07:18 AM

#37

Becka

Senior Member

Join Date: May 2011

Location: Springfield, Illinois

Posts: 645

I've been taught (right or wrong) to avoid putting the seams at the common fold. I'm told it weakens the seam to be folded and unfolded, and that does make sense to me. It would depend on how the quilt might be used that would determine how I did the back. If you know it's not going to be folded/unfolded a lot, seam placement wouldn't be as much of an issue as with one that would be in and out of use.