I really ned help on a backing....
03-09-2012, 12:23 PM
#11
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Midwest
Posts: 626
You have an AMISH quilt top!! An AMISH quilt top!!! I agree with JJean: a plain backing and hand quilt it. After all you have an AMISH quilt top! Look up on their websites and see how much your gift is worth. I bought one more than twenty years ago in PA and paid a month's salary for it. You have a true treasure and wonderful friends. You must be a special lady.
03-09-2012, 12:38 PM
#12
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Foot of the Blue Ridge Mtns. in VA
Posts: 5,123
I would stick to the simplicity as a theme for this quilt. I'd do a 2-color binding with the front color highlighting whatever applique you choose for the center squares and a color for the back to highlight a nice simple floral print. It'll be dynamic on both sides then! 
03-09-2012, 01:08 PM
#14
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
the quilting would enhance bring out the beauty of the quilt- beautiful quilting in all that blank space could make a wonderous quilt! if the colors are not really (your thing) choose a backing that is (your thing) and use it for the top- and what you have as a back....but with the right quilting that could be wonderful!
03-09-2012, 01:18 PM
#15
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 17,564
Using it for the back was my first thought and I see Tartan already wrote the same. It would make a lovely backing. Of course the other ideas are really creative as well. Hope you post again after you finish making this into a quilt.
03-09-2012, 01:42 PM
#16
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 8,107
You might also do a fabric content check, it could be a poly/cotton blend and if it is, I would stick with that for the backing as well, and use a poly batt rather than the cotton. Just a thought.
03-09-2012, 01:49 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NW Pennsylvania
Posts: 327
What a wonderful gift! That begs for some great feathers and that deep border makes for special quilting space. I know the proportion bothers you, but it is so practical. It places the piecing on the bed and provides a significant drop so no one catches a draft sleeping under it. Some traditional Amish quilt designs are really deep 12-15". Perhaps check out some pictures of the Espirit collection for inspiration.From a handquilter who sees a brilliant canvas, but it is your quilt top to do as you please.
Last edited by NDQuilts; 03-09-2012 at 01:53 PM. Reason: More thoughts
03-09-2012, 02:02 PM
#18
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Boston
Posts: 370
I've seen some cool quilts where the stitching was done from the back rather than from the front. I would be tempted to find an appealing backing fabric then do the quilting to match that fabric. It will look like an all-over pattern on the "top" side.
03-09-2012, 02:08 PM
#19
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA
Posts: 15,183
You have an AMISH quilt top!! An AMISH quilt top!!! I agree with JJean: a plain backing and hand quilt it. After all you have an AMISH quilt top! Look up on their websites and see how much your gift is worth. I bought one more than twenty years ago in PA and paid a month's salary for it. You have a true treasure and wonderful friends. You must be a special lady.
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