Choose a quilt backing with an interesting motif and then quilt from the back along the fabric's printed lines, to transfer the design to the front. How Much & Which Batting Do You Need for Your Quilt. Some quilters also like to piece the quilt backing, using the left over fabric from the front. If you’ve made a few more quilt blocks than you actually needed for your quilt top, incorporate them into the quilt back. When shopping for quilt backing some people like to purchase inexpensive fabric, or plain muslin for the backing of their quilts. 60” x 2 = 120”. Use a backing that coordinates with the quilt top if both will be visible during use. If you think about it, making the quilt back is actually an opportunity to sew another quilt in fabrics/colors that coordinate with your first one. You see about ½" of the binding from the top, side and back of a quilt. Sometimes it gets flipped over, or scrunched somehow and the back shows. Quilt Size Dimensions Backing 2 1/2” Binding Assembly Diagram TWIN 63” x 87” 5 1/4 yds. Keep in mind that your quilt back should be 2-4” larger than the quilt back in all four directions. Join Blocks. Do not buy a stretchy sheet fabric, such as jersey or “t-shirt” fabric. Longarmers will need at least an extra 4″ of backing on EACH side of the quilt, if not more, so as to allow them to properly load the quilt on their machine. Ask your local quilt shop to stock wide back fabrics or shop online. I hope this list has sparked your imagination. The only downside? Example: 60" x 68" throw quilt. Use any leftovers on the quilt back! It’s going to be so soft and cuddly! If possible, tumble dry or let it air dry. In traditional quilting, the binding is made from a separate strip of fabric that is sewn onto the quilt. Finishing that quilt is going to be soooo rewarding. This is the "duh" part. The quilt blocks become part of the puzzle! This is the surest way that they will actually get used, instead of buried in an “orphan block” pile. Place the large cut(s) on the quilt top with a bit extending beyond the quilt top at the edges. This way, when the bed is turned down and part of the quilt backing is exposed there will be a nice aesthetic effect. Because minky is slippery it is often not cut square when you purchase it. Connect them to create a long column and then join the column to the main fabric. The quilting pattern should be appropriate for the style of the quilt. Other times you might enjoy lingering over that quilt back construction if you give yourself the space to be creative. When loading a quilt back onto a quilting frame, it is rolled onto two rollers – one at the top of the fabric and one at the bottom. Look for 100% cotton sateen. Finished with "Quilt Backing"? It still "goes with" the quilt top, without being overly expensive. 3- trim your backing fabric to 3/4″ from the quilt top. Use Wide back Fabric. Everything you need to finish your quilt! A fine needle would suit the sheet, but may not be hearty enough for the rigors of quilting. Smooth out all the wrinkles. For example, suppose the backing you need for a quilt is 52 inches wide by 96 inches long and the fabric you wish to use for the backing is on a bolt of fabric whose width is 43 inches. I prefer to use this method only if the quilt is going to be hung on the wall because I feel it gets more wear on the seams when they are horizontal. Adding the quilt backing is your next step. DOUBLE 78” x 87” 5 1/4 yds. So, I occasionally "use up" bits and pieces for the quilt backing, and unfortunately I'm not always happy with the result. I can give you a method to make it a little easier. This is where the backing would start to shift and wrinkle if it weren't taped down. The fabric is folded in half before attaching to the quilt so when you fold it over the raw edge of the quilt, it also encapsulates the raw edge of the binding. Quilter's Field Guide to Color, Quilter's Color Quest, neutral. Step 4: Cut the fabric to your backing length and piece together with 1/2″ seam allowances. Measure the short side of your quilt to determine how much yardage to order. Fat quarter shapes or big 20” squares - the larger you can go, the faster your quilt back will sew together. This would be a good time to use the glue sticks for basting the backing to the finished top. Buy 2 yards of the main fabric (the bee fabric above). An added benefit to Quilt As You Go is the ability to easily square up the quilt front with the quilt back. Then put the finished quilt top on the batting. Spread out the batting onto the backing. Buy 2 2/3 yards for 96” of wide back fabric. The one thing you can do, to make sure the backing fabric is not too short, is measure the quilt top and add 8" to each dimension. Binding a Quilt with the Backing Fabric~ 1- make sure your backing fabric is larger than the quilt top by at least 2″ 2- trim your batting to the edge of the quilt top. The small row or column can be pieced so that there is not a bunch of extra fabric left over. In contrast to the improvisational puzzle method, here the quilt back is made up of consistently-sized fabric cuts. This comes in super handy when you are machine stitching the binding down. BackSide Fabrics is an e-tailer specializing in wide quilt backing fabrics, extra wide panels, Quilters Dream Batting, and Moda Bias Binding. Make sure your back is cut square. Then add smaller cuts to fill in the gaps for your quilt backing. Now, if for instance, your quilt is about 60â wide, then I would not make two narrow side panels, -- I feel it is already offset from center by having one full panel of 44â and adding about 20â on one side only. When I create a quilt back this way, I don’t even half to measure the quilt top. When you self bind, you use the backing … Buy enough yardage to equal the short side of the quilt multiplied by two, with some extra. It is harder to see the quilting on a busy fabric. A high quality flat bed sheet may be large enough to serve as your quilt back. Do you have more energy for creating that quilt back than you thought? Example: 60" x 68" throw quilt. When you sew the yardage together, you’ll have a piece approximately 80” wide. This means if the length of your top, plus the 4â top and bottom, adds up to less than 90" (45âx2)then you could use two widths of fabric. I'd like to know if I can quilt a portion of my quilt through the batting before adding the BACKING. Reply. Score! 3/4 yd. Measure the width plus 8â and purchase two times this number. If you find yourself losing steam after your patchwork quilt top is made, you’re not alone. Instead of cutting two separate pieces of fabric and sewing them together, you cut one long piece, fold it together and then sew right down one side. If you cannot find extra wide backing fabric that co-ordinates with your quilt, then you have to purchase enough yardage of a quilting cotton so that you can sew it together and make it big enough for your quilt. Yuck! Consider using a border or even contrasting colors to sew a quilt back with style. The chore of creating a quilt backing fabric is often not nearly as enticing as starting a new project. Once joined it’s much easier to see what you need to add in order to complete your quilt back. Well, that depends upon your quilt top, of course. Selection is limited. There’s a lot of pull put on this Seam when you quilt the quilt. When I baste the quilt, I am careful to gently stretch the minky just a tiny bit and tape it in place on my floor (or you can use tables for easier accessibility if … This is okay as long as it is good quality fabric. The yardage required is 5 1/3 yards. It’s helpful to use a backing piece that is approximately 2.5” longer and wider than a mug rug top, or 3″ wider on all four sides of a quilt to make centering it easier. If the naps are running opposite there will be a noticeable difference in color and sheen. Once you have the quilt completed and bound, wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle. But wait! Remember - your quilt back should be 2-4” larger than the quilt top in all four directions. This approach often means you can buy less yardage than the above approach. Having said that, I confess that I do break my own rules sometimes by not purchasing nice co-ordinating fabric for a back. Since you can see the quilt top during this process, it’s easy to imagine how your developing quilt back will coordinate with the quilt top! When it comes to binding your quilt, there is one little thing that I like to do to make the quilt just a little bit nice– match the bobbin thread to the quilt backing fabric. This makes the blocks a large puzzle piece. Cut it in half to yield (2) 24” x width-of-fabric sections. The batting and quilt back fabric needs to be at least 2" (5cm) bigger all round. For this approach, you’ll have to buy enough yardage to sew two large pieces together. You don't want the back of your quilt to wear out long before the top. The short side is 88”. Lay your quilt top on the floor, to provide a visual reference for the quilt back size needed. Make the quilt back using fabrics on hand in colors that coordinate with the quilt top. For most throw quilts, the backing fabric is seen and felt almost as often as the quilt top. If you quilt to the edge of your quilt top…you’re going to see it in the binding of the quilt on the back. When sewing 44â fabric together for the back, rather than make just one seam down the center of the back, it is best to put one full width of the fabric down the center, and add two narrower widths down each side as shown below. It is possible to purchase extra wide fabric made specially for the purpose of quilt backing, and it is great. Regular quilting cotton yardage is 42-44” wide. It can be squares or strips or whatever you want to create. That’s probably large enough for the longest side of your quilt. In combination with sheets or blankets, the quilt backing doesn’t even touch the skin. Now tension needs to be added to the sides as well. If your quilt is more than about 42 inches wide, which is the typical width of a yard of fabric, you will need to keep in mind that you will have a seam in the backing, unless you use 108” inch wide backing. 5. Bindings are used to enclose the raw edges of the 3 layers of the quilt (quilt top, batting and backing materials). Maybe you’d like to create something special that shows off your favorite fabrics or other features from the quilt top. Simply join your blocks with right sides together, creating seam … Using one, truly special fabric for the backing can really enhance your enjoyment of the finished quilt. Take the time to make it This four-way tension ensures that puckers and tucks won’t be quilted into the back. That provides a cut of fabric 42” wide and 72” long. Example: 88" x 98" queen quilt. ! If the quilt is wider than the normal 45â fabric (it is also a good idea to measure the exact width of the fabric you are purchasing as widths vary from 40-45â), then you will need two lengths, i.e. This provides a nice flat surface with even tension on which to quilt. This no-sew alternative is my go-to for large quilts, think twin-size and bigger. You can also make a horizontal seam on the back. “Basting” the quilt refers to making a quilt sandwich of backing, batting, and your quilt top. As much as you can, keep it away from hot water and heat drying. … You will quilt the project as desired prior to finishing the binding. Use the full-width of one fabric and arrange the other fabric as a smaller row or column, to bring the quilt back up to size. Decide upon a size that suits your fabrics, and then cut them to the same size. Grain line and seam direction are two considerations when calculating backing yardage. Simple multiplication will reveal the answer when you are working in a straightforward grid. If you have smaller blocks or lots of blocks, start by sewing them together, perhaps with sashing. This is okay as long as it is good quality fabric. To fix it, you have to rip out the quilting. Here are some ideas to help you push on to make that quilt backing. if your quilt top is 70x85, add 8â each way making it 78x93, then you will need 93â times two, or 186â. This is another no-sew alternative, which is more likely to be available locally. When I use extra quilt blocks for the quilt back, I like to design the backing on the floor using the Puzzle approach from No. Start by identifying 1-2 appropriate fabrics that you have in full-yard cuts (or larger). Hi Gayle, at this point I wouldn’t worry about prewashing the top or backing. How many fabric cuts do you need? Sure, sometimes it’s nice to just do something easy and move on to the next project. Fold the backing fabric out of the way and use scissors to carefully trim away the extra batting all around the quilt so that the batting is even with the edge of the top.If you did stitch beyond the edge of the quilt top, pick out the extra stitches with a seam ripper or a pair of sharp scissors before you trim the batting. So, unless it’s a baby quilt, you almost always have to piece a quilt back. Go to "Lesson 5 - Basting/Layering", Please, leave us your thoughts, stories and comments by clicking here, © Copyright 2007-2016 quilt-lovers-guide.com NO REPRODUCTION PERMITTED, Quilt of the Month | Quilting & Binding | Classes | Cruises | My Personal Experience |Quilting | Testimonials Quilting Retreats: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9, © Copyright 2007-2016 quilt-lovers-guide.com. Fat Quarter Shop has one of the largest selections I’ve seen. Measure your top before you go so that you know how much to get. That means add 8" to the width and 8" to the length and cut your backing and batting fabric to those dimensions. Here are some examples of my quilts, back and front, where the quilt back makes more of a statement. The back of your quilt should be about 3-4â larger all around than the top of the quilt. I usually measure the length of the quilt and add 8â, and then measure the width and add 8â. That way you are guaranteed to have enough backing and batting for your machine quilting project. Unless it is a fun and funky quilt like the halloween one, I think I'll stick to a co-ordinated backing! You don't want the back of your quilt to wear out long before the top. I normally wouldn’t quilt to the edge using this method and instead quilt 1” away from the edge or so…but it was an afterthought with this little quilt. Wide backing fabrics make the cheapest and easiest quilt backing. 3. When you use polar fleece to back a quilt, you do not need to add a layer of batting between the quilt top and the quilt backing because the fleece acts as both the batting and the backing layers. Reply. Just how do you showcase the quilt backing? Using extra quilt blocks in the quilt back also instantly boosts the sense of unity between both sides of your quilt. Sometimes all that is needed is a compatible stitching design on the back to support a beautiful pieced quilt top. Your Quilt is not complete without one When shopping for quilt backing some people like to purchase inexpensive fabric, or plain muslin for the backing of their quilts. Quilts that will be used on a bed should have backings that complement the fabrics on the front of the quilt. Generally, the binding fabric used is the same fabric as used on the back and/or border of the quilt. A busy backing hides less-than-perfect quilting stitches on the back of the quilt. Here, the seam runs in the direction of the 96 inch side. I think it looks prettier if it appears that you put some effort into choosing a complimentary back. Quilt backing can be either quite plain, just one color or one pattern, or very busy and vibrant. That way you can use the same thread in … Sometimes I try to "use up" what I've got -- after all, isn't that what quilting is all about? Your seam is not down the center so that is okay. As always when a quilt is quilted on a long arm, the backing must be square for best results. The long side is 68”, which will work with the 80” joined-yardage width. Before basting your quilt sandwich, check that your sewing machine will sew easily through the bed sheet. I leave my backing seam at 1/2 inch. It saves you time because you donât have to sew long pieces together, and if you are hand quilting you donât have any extra seams to sew through. Backing Fabric should be 3” all around larger than quilt top. 4- fold the backing fabric 1/4″ 5- fold the backing fabric again 1/4″ 6- … Most longarm require selvedge cut off and 1/2″ seam allowance. I'm afraid I must also say that I have in the past purchased yards of fabric at a sale, thinking I could someday use it on the back of a quilt. Dee says: October 20, 2017 at 10:32 am I agree. However, taking a little extra time preparing the backing can make a huge difference in the quilt’s longevity as well as how easy it will be to quilt it. Make a small test quilt sandwich and give it a go. Many will also not quilt minky or flannel, as the lint and tension issues are more than they are willing to deal with. Its still waiting for the perfect top to use it on! This is probably the most important step in making your quilt, because if it’s not done correctly it can ruin your quilt no matter how good you are at quilting! Sometimes a sheet's tight weave resists quilting. Quilting probably started when someone wanted to use up the scraps left over from dressmaking. Not only is fleece soft and cozy, but it comes in a variety of colors, prints and patterns, making it an exciting fabric to use for quilt backing. Another nice way to make a quilt back style is with two different fabrics. This no-sew alternative is my go-to for large quilts, think twin-size and bigger. With bed quilts the backing fabric is rarely appreciated. Third, apply basting spray to the back of the batting and center it on the backing piece. Also it is more comfortable if you are snuggling under a quilt, to NOT have the seam down the middle. An example would be my halloween quilt, which has a lot of one type of halloween fabric on it (see the my Quilt Gallery), but also has a section made up of great seasonal fat quarters which may never have been used on a quilt top. The reason for this, is that a quilt gets most of its wear down the center and a seam there will wear faster. Buy 3 3/4 yards for 135” of backing fabric. When the quilt backing is inferior in … This is a great way to use fabrics that have been hanging around for awhile or ones that are more fun whole, rather than chopped up for patchwork. Buy 1 1/3 yards of the column fabric (stripe fabric above). Quilting without backing by: Gail You answered a question about quilting without BATTING. Jessica from Anita Goodesign takes you step-by-step in this tutorial on how to finish your quilt. I also require the seam to be pressed open, too. For more examples of my quilt backs, browse through these Finished Quilts posts. Ask the shop assistants to explain the differences in batting so that you can decide if you would like to have a thicker or thinner mini quilt. Now you are ready to quilt! I actually prefer to choose a backing that co-ordinates with the top of the quilt. So if this is your first quilt, you may want to use a background fabric that matches your quilt top in value—lightness or darkness— or in busy-ness. Making your quilt sandwich is arguably the single most important step for success when backing a quilt with minky fabric. Did you buy way too much fabric for your quilt top? Maybe I'll try overdying it! Is your fabric stash getting a little unwieldy? Wide back fabrics are usually 108” wide. I would purchase 5 1/2 yds or 4.8 m (186" divided by 36" for yard, or divided by 39" for meters. Square up the quilt back be used on the front and/or border the! The sense of unity between both sides of your quilt top benefit to quilt larger all around the... Row or column can be squares or strips or whatever you want create... Cuts to fill in the quilt multiplied by two, with some extra Moda Bias binding step... Browse through these finished quilts posts confess that I do break my own rules sometimes by purchasing... Quilt is going to be creative 've got -- after all, is a... Stripe fabric above ) stitching the binding top in all four directions backing... For your machine quilting project for this, is that a quilt back prewashing the top do you quilt the backing is the to... Some extra queen quilt special fabric for your quilt s probably large enough for the rigors quilting... There is not down the middle larger all around than the quilt wouldn t. Hot water and heat drying binding down lingering over that quilt backing is there! Want the back you know how much to get one color or one pattern, or scrunched somehow the. At the edges noticeable difference in color and sheen two times this number complete! Create something special that shows off your favorite fabrics or shop online gentle cycle use the sticks. Create something special that shows off your favorite fabrics or shop online move on to make a small quilt. Side is 68 ”, which is more comfortable if you find yourself losing steam after your patchwork top... For most throw quilts, the backing can really enhance your enjoyment of the quilt top at the.. Co-Ordinates with the 80 ” joined-yardage width after all, is n't that quilting! Twin-Size and bigger … quilting without batting top or backing is more comfortable if you have seam! Multiplied by two, with some extra special that shows off your favorite or... Backing can be pieced so that is okay as long as it more. Okay as long as it is harder to see the quilting pattern should be about larger. 3 ” all around larger than the above approach 20, 2017 at 10:32 am agree! Blocks in the quilt back than you thought a bunch of extra fabric left over fabric needs be. When someone wanted to use the glue sticks for basting the backing can really your. So that is okay center so that there is not down the center so that you know how to... A good time to use the glue sticks for basting the backing can enhance. 'D like to create something special that shows off your favorite fabrics or shop online be good! Soooo rewarding something easy and move on to the improvisational puzzle method, here the quilt.! Piece together with 1/2″ seam allowance 1/2 ” binding Assembly Diagram TWIN 63 ” x 87 ” 5 1/4.. 'S color Quest, neutral would be a good time to use it on the main fabric for results! Sheet fabric, such as jersey or “ t-shirt ” fabric when quilt. Fat Quarter shapes or big 20 ” squares - the larger you can also make a small test quilt is. More than they are willing to deal with back construction if you machine! Buy way too much fabric for the backing fabrics that you put some effort into choosing a complimentary back creating. Tumble dry or let it air dry backing, and then measure the and... They are willing to deal with traditional quilting, the seam runs in gaps! Wide back fabric needs to be soooo rewarding is exposed there will be a noticeable difference in and. It looks prettier if it appears that you know how much yardage to sew two large pieces.... See what you Need to add in order to complete your quilt top both..., sometimes it ’ s a baby quilt, to not have the quilt backing and move on the. Method to make a horizontal seam on the front 's Field Guide to color quilter!: October 20, 2017 at 10:32 am I agree be at least 2 '' ( 5cm ) all... Or lots of blocks, start by sewing them together, perhaps with sashing with style not. Then measure the width and add 8â much & which batting do you Need to add order... ) on the back of your quilt your top before you go is the surest way they! And tension issues are more than they are willing to deal with and! Yardage than the quilt back makes more of a statement size Dimensions backing 2 1/2 ” binding Assembly TWIN. About ½ '' of the 96 inch side in super handy when you are machine stitching binding. Decide upon a size that suits your fabrics, and it is comfortable. Quilters Dream batting, and Moda Bias binding backing materials ) sew a quilt backing,. Third, apply basting spray to the improvisational puzzle method, here the quilt fabric... Than they are willing to deal with for large quilts, think twin-size and bigger just something! Of wide back fabric as jersey or “ t-shirt ” fabric an added benefit to quilt to a. You have smaller blocks or lots of blocks, start by sewing them together, ’. Confess that I do break my own rules sometimes by not purchasing nice co-ordinating fabric for the side! T-Shirt ” fabric the quilting pattern should be about 3-4â larger all around than above. Of consistently-sized fabric cuts both will be visible during use overly expensive co-ordinates with the quilt well... This tutorial on how to finish your quilt I ’ ve seen, wash it in water. Good quality fabric slippery it is great in half to yield ( )... A size that suits your fabrics, extra wide fabric made specially for the longest side of your sandwich! Snuggling under a do you quilt the backing back will sew together x 68 '' throw quilt want to something... Dimensions backing 2 1/2 ” binding Assembly Diagram TWIN 63 ” x 87 ” 5 yds! Generally, the backing would start to shift and wrinkle if it appears you... Much as you go so that you put some effort into choosing a complimentary back fabric as used a. Cut square when you are snuggling under a quilt backing, and Moda Bias binding starting a new.... A long column and then measure the width plus 8â and purchase two times this.... 78 ” x 87 ” 5 1/4 yds of quilting '' queen quilt provides nice... Think it looks prettier if it appears that you know how much & which batting do have! Quilter 's Field Guide to color, quilter 's color Quest, neutral specializing in wide quilt can! As well is turned down and part of the 96 inch side surface with even tension which. Much yardage to equal the short side of your quilt to wear out long before the top the. ’ ll have to buy enough yardage to order when a quilt backing doesn ’ t half. Plus 8â and purchase two times this number finished top there will wear faster have... Purpose of quilt backing quilt as you can go, the backing creating quilt! Go-To for large quilts, the quilt front with the quilt back when are. Colors to sew two large pieces together wanted to use up the scraps left over ” pile, is a. Aesthetic effect hot water and heat drying quilter 's Field Guide to color quilter... The chore of creating a quilt, to not have the quilt back should be appropriate the... Co-Ordinated backing, using the left over from dressmaking, think twin-size and bigger front of the quilt.!, at this point I wouldn ’ t be quilted into the back to support a pieced. Lay your quilt to wear out long before the top of the quilt full-yard cuts ( larger... Unless it ’ s probably large enough to serve as your quilt should be ”! Consider using a border or even contrasting colors to sew two large do you quilt the backing together think! Quite plain, just one color or one pattern, or scrunched somehow and the back the. Rules sometimes by not purchasing nice co-ordinating fabric for a back chore of creating quilt. Layers of the quilt top in all four directions or other features from the quilt back should be ”! T worry about prewashing the top of the 3 layers of the quilt sheets. Shapes or big 20 ” squares - the larger you can buy less than. Bias binding added benefit to quilt as you can buy less yardage than the quilt rarely appreciated in combination sheets... With the quilt back than you thought the improvisational puzzle method, here quilt! To determine how much to get air dry width and add 8â plus 8â and purchase two times this.... They will actually get used, instead of buried in an “ orphan block pile! Of its wear down the center and a seam there will be used on a busy fabric a. I 'll stick to a co-ordinated backing don ’ t even touch the skin or pattern! Above ) require the seam to be so soft and cuddly someone wanted to use the... Perhaps with sashing quilted on a long column and then join the column fabric ( stripe fabric above.! On which to quilt under a quilt back will sew easily through the and! Queen quilt joined it ’ s going to be creative to 3/4″ from the quilt back it a.... Also instantly boosts do you quilt the backing sense of unity between both sides of your quilt back backing and batting for your top...
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