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. 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. Now you are ready to quilt! In traditional quilting, the binding is made from a separate strip of fabric that is sewn onto the quilt. Quilting probably started when someone wanted to use up the scraps left over from dressmaking. You see about ½" of the binding from the top, side and back of a quilt. Once you have the quilt completed and bound, wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle. As always when a quilt is quilted on a long arm, the backing must be square for best results. Is your fabric stash getting a little unwieldy? For more examples of my quilt backs, browse through these Finished Quilts posts. if your quilt top is 70x85, add 8” each way making it 78x93, then you will need 93” times two, or 186”. Maybe you’d like to create something special that shows off your favorite fabrics or other features from the quilt top. I leave my backing seam at 1/2 inch. If you find yourself losing steam after your patchwork quilt top is made, you’re not alone. The only downside? I actually prefer to choose a backing that co-ordinates with the top of the quilt. Spread out the batting onto the backing. Quilting without backing by: Gail You answered a question about quilting without BATTING. Then add smaller cuts to fill in the gaps for your quilt backing. This makes the blocks a large puzzle piece. BackSide Fabrics is an e-tailer specializing in wide quilt backing fabrics, extra wide panels, Quilters Dream Batting, and Moda Bias Binding. To fix it, you have to rip out the quilting. Fat Quarter Shop has one of the largest selections I’ve seen. Now, if for instance, your quilt is about 60” wide, then I would not make two narrow side panels, -- I feel it is already offset from center by having one full panel of 44” and adding about 20” on one side only. This comes in super handy when you are machine stitching the binding down. 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. The yardage required is 5 1/3 yards. In contrast to the improvisational puzzle method, here the quilt back is made up of consistently-sized fabric cuts. 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. Another nice way to make a quilt back style is with two different fabrics. Fat quarter shapes or big 20” squares - the larger you can go, the faster your quilt back will sew together. This is the surest way that they will actually get used, instead of buried in an “orphan block” pile. Many will also not quilt minky or flannel, as the lint and tension issues are more than they are willing to deal with. 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. Having said that, I confess that I do break my own rules sometimes by not purchasing nice co-ordinating fabric for a back. 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. I'd like to know if I can quilt a portion of my quilt through the batting before adding the BACKING. Quilter's Field Guide to Color, Quilter's Color Quest, neutral. How many fabric cuts do you need? Place the large cut(s) on the quilt top with a bit extending beyond the quilt top at the edges. Measure the width plus 8” and purchase two times this number. Third, apply basting spray to the back of the batting and center it on the backing piece. Just how do you showcase the quilt backing? This is where the backing would start to shift and wrinkle if it weren't taped down. When the quilt backing is inferior in … This no-sew alternative is my go-to for large quilts, think twin-size and bigger. Adding the quilt backing is your next step. For most throw quilts, the backing fabric is seen and felt almost as often as the quilt top. How Much & Which Batting Do You Need for Your Quilt. In combination with sheets or blankets, the quilt backing doesn’t even touch the skin. This is the "duh" part. The short side is 88”. Everything you need to finish your quilt! I think it looks prettier if it appears that you put some effort into choosing a complimentary back. Here are some examples of my quilts, back and front, where the quilt back makes more of a statement. Sometimes it gets flipped over, or scrunched somehow and the back shows. When I create a quilt back this way, I don’t even half to measure the quilt top. It is harder to see the quilting on a busy fabric. Wide back fabrics are usually 108” wide. Make the quilt back using fabrics on hand in colors that coordinate with the quilt top. This provides a nice flat surface with even tension on which to quilt. Join Blocks. You don't want the back of your quilt to wear out long before the top. 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. Look for 100% cotton sateen. When shopping for quilt backing some people like to purchase inexpensive fabric, or plain muslin for the backing of their quilts. If you have smaller blocks or lots of blocks, start by sewing them together, perhaps with sashing. When sewing 44” 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 still "goes with" the quilt top, without being overly expensive. This means if the length of your top, plus the 4” top and bottom, adds up to less than 90" (45”x2)then you could use two widths of fabric. Quilts that will be used on a bed should have backings that complement the fabrics on the front of the quilt. Remember - your quilt back should be 2-4” larger than the quilt top in all four directions. Make a small test quilt sandwich and give it a go. That way you are guaranteed to have enough backing and batting for your machine quilting project. DOUBLE 78” x 87” 5 1/4 yds. 3/4 yd. The batting and quilt back fabric needs to be at least 2" (5cm) bigger all round. Hi Gayle, at this point I wouldn’t worry about prewashing the top or backing. 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. Reply. Example: 88" x 98" queen quilt. 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. Buy enough yardage to equal the short side of the quilt multiplied by two, with some extra. 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 3 3/4 yards for 135” of backing fabric. Buy 1 1/3 yards of the column fabric (stripe fabric above). 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. Measure the short side of your quilt to determine how much yardage to order. If the quilt is wider than the normal 45” fabric (it is also a good idea to measure the exact width of the fabric you are purchasing as widths vary from 40-45”), then you will need two lengths, i.e. I also require the seam to be pressed open, too. Using one, truly special fabric for the backing can really enhance your enjoyment of the finished quilt. 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! As much as you can, keep it away from hot water and heat drying. It’s going to be so soft and cuddly! Quilt backing can be either quite plain, just one color or one pattern, or very busy and vibrant. 5. Bindings are used to enclose the raw edges of the 3 layers of the quilt (quilt top, batting and backing materials). Use Wide back Fabric. An added benefit to Quilt As You Go is the ability to easily square up the quilt front with the quilt back. 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. 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. This is another no-sew alternative, which is more likely to be available locally. Also it is more comfortable if you are snuggling under a quilt, to NOT have the seam down the middle. 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. Some quilters also like to piece the quilt backing, using the left over fabric from the front. That way you can use the same thread in … 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. Its still waiting for the perfect top to use it on! 60” x 2 = 120”. Make sure your back is cut square. If possible, tumble dry or let it air dry. When you sew the yardage together, you’ll have a piece approximately 80” wide. For this approach, you’ll have to buy enough yardage to sew two large pieces together. The reason for this, is that a quilt gets most of its wear down the center and a seam there will wear faster. Sometimes I try to "use up" what I've got -- after all, isn't that what quilting is all about? The quilting pattern should be appropriate for the style of the quilt. The back of your quilt should be about 3-4” larger all around than the top of the quilt. The chore of creating a quilt backing fabric is often not nearly as enticing as starting a new project. If the naps are running opposite there will be a noticeable difference in color and sheen. Example: 60" x 68" throw quilt. Example: 60" x 68" throw quilt. 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. Score! Regular quilting cotton yardage is 42-44” wide. Take the time to make it This four-way tension ensures that puckers and tucks won’t be quilted into the back. Finishing that quilt is going to be soooo rewarding. Lay your quilt top on the floor, to provide a visual reference for the quilt back size needed. The quilt blocks become part of the puzzle! 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. Unless it is a fun and funky quilt like the halloween one, I think I'll stick to a co-ordinated backing! 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