This is an expensive hobby we share, isn't it? I had to go out and purchase the backings for three big quilts yesterday. Of course the quilts were all larger than 80 inches square, so I had to purchase yards and yards of fabric. I love it when the quilts finish around 72", and I can go with about 5 1/2 yards of backing fabric, sew one seam through the middle, and call it a day. Not these babies, though. I needed about 7 1/2 yards for each backing, and the damage was over $200. Ouch.
My fabric store is awesome though, and they save me a big hassle by cutting the fabric into thirds for me, so all I have to do is stitch up those seams and trim the backing down to size. Does your shop do that for you? Did you ever think to ask them to? I bet they would do it for you. They have those nice big cutting tables and have the fabric all spread out, so it would be easy. I hate struggling to cut a circus tent size piece of fabric in my little sewing room at home.
I am fussy about my backing fabric, and would love to know how you feel about yours. I like my backing fabric to be well coordinated with the front of the quilt in terms of color and quality--matching one of the fabrics in the quilt top if possible. Sometimes if I wait long enough, by the time I finish a quilt top, the coordinating fabric is on clearance and I can scoop it up at a discount. If not, I have been known to pay full price to get the right look for the back of my quilt.
I hear many people say they don't care what the heck is on the back of their quilts, because, after all, it is the back of the quilt. They may even pick up something that is of lesser quality at a chain fabric store, or perhaps go with something that in no way reflects the style and color of the quilt itself. They are looking for cheap, and isn't too hard to find.
How do you feel? Is the back of the quilt as important to you as the front? Will you pay full price for backing fabric if it enhances the total style of the finished quilt?
Oh I am with you on this one. You put so much design into the front. I want the back to look as good as the front. I try to get something out of the same line of fabric that I am working with.
Posted by: Sue Bennett | June 29, 2010 at 04:18 AM
I guess I'm really old-fashioned on this. 99% of the time I use a natural calico - I just love the feel, the colour, the oldness of it. I have been known to piece backs to include extra blocks and have then colour-co-ordinated. What I really couldn't do is just use any old piece of fabric that is hanging around or a whole lot of left-overs pieced together. I agree with Sue that with all the work that goes into the front I sure as heck don't want anything that stops the back looking great.
On the positive side - be thankful you don't live over here in Switzerland. For $200 I could probably only get fabric for one quilt back - thank goodness for internet shopping. It's way cheaper for me to buy online in the States and pay shipping and import duty than buy locally. Crazy world....
Posted by: Helen in Switzerland | June 29, 2010 at 04:32 AM
After putting all that work in the front of the quilt, I think it deserves a nice back. I often pay full price for backing. Yes, it's expensive, but so was the front. Asking the quilt shop to cut the backing fabric into pieces is a great idea!
Posted by: Linda | June 29, 2010 at 04:43 AM
I like to add a surprise to the back of my quilt, and don't really make a quilt from one collection of fabrics. The back of the quilt is for me the place where I can have some fun, so usually add a completely different fabric that ( sometimes ) coordinates with, or add leftovers from the front. I won't skimp on quality however, so the back can cost a pretty penny, especially since I live in Holland and fabrics are pretty expensive here so, like Helen, still save by buying online from the States. You are fortunate that you can get backing for three quilts for that price!
Posted by: Heidi | June 29, 2010 at 04:44 AM
I too want my back to look as nice as the front....that front was a lot of work!! I will use a Kona solid for the back...
I have always asked my LQS to cut the back into pieces for me...even my local Hobby Lobby will do it... and take the coupon!
Posted by: Nancy | June 29, 2010 at 04:48 AM
Me too. I like my back to relate to the front. It doesn't need to be the same line but it does need to tie in with the front. Have you tried wide backs? There are some lovely wide back fabrics around.
Posted by: Maggie | June 29, 2010 at 05:13 AM
I agree on that point - I want to have a matching backing as well...it doesn't have to be the same fabric collection nor does it have to be only one fabric - if I find a solid that matches the fabrics of the front I'd probably choose it b/c after all, it's a matter of $, too...especially living in a country with exorbitant fabric prices...
Sometimes I piece the backing on purpose (rows of coins/checkerboard/including extra blocks from the front...) but I would never only randomly piece leftovers that don't match at all together as I have seen on many blocks...it's just not my personality ;o).
Thanks for asking - I always love to read the answers.
Julia
Posted by: Julia | June 29, 2010 at 05:13 AM
I also care about the backs of my quilts. I want it to coordinate with the front. Sometimes I piece a simple backing from quilt leftovers. I also will pay whatever for a backing that uses a fabric that I just LOVE. Then I get to see lots of it!
Posted by: Cindy | June 29, 2010 at 05:15 AM
I agree; a quilt needs a backing that fits with the front. I tend to work within a fabric range, so I always get a matching backing.
I cut my fabric myself; just spread it out along the loungeroom floor, measure with a tape measure and cut with scissors, then neaten up with the rotary cutter. I've also learnt to use less backing by cutting 2/3:1/3 and piecing with three sections. Anything to save a little $$.
Posted by: Kate | June 29, 2010 at 05:23 AM
In my house the quilts get used and you often see the backs. With all the work I put in the top, I want the whole thing to look good. If it's to hang on the wall - I'm not so fussy. Wide backs are convenient, but they are rarely the nicest of greige goods. This has to do with the mills that can produce textiles of that width. I'd rather make the seams and be assured of good quality all the way around.
Posted by: di | June 29, 2010 at 05:25 AM
Being new to quilting, I have only made a few quilts and the backing fabrics are one of the co-ordinates. Yes, it is expensive here in Australia but why piece a beatuiful front and ignore the back which you do see as well. Buying good fabric on special is great, but if not available at the time I would not buy cheap fabric because it won't last just like cheap furniture, linen, shoes, clothes etc. The cheap are throw-away and who wants to throw-away their quilt after a couple of years.
Posted by: Penny | June 29, 2010 at 05:26 AM
The back is almost as important as the front because sometimes quilts have to be folded at the bottom of the bed.
I often strip piece my backs with to colors that coordinate with the front so it often looks like a welsh strippy quilt.
Your hobby in the USA is not as expensive as the UK - Ouch
Lovely fabrics you have chosen.
Posted by: Sue Watters | June 29, 2010 at 05:30 AM
The back of the quilt is as important as the front is to me. Now wall hangings are a little different. I may use a fabric that coordinates but not as exactly as one that I would use on the back of a quilt. I ALWAYS use shop quality fabric. After putting the time, effort and love into a quilt, why cheat on the backing for just a few dollars?
Posted by: Judi | June 29, 2010 at 05:36 AM
I like cozy quilts, so I frequently use flannel for the backs. I buy 90- or 120-inch-wide flannel by the bolt from James Thompson so it's always on hand.
Flannel makes a quilt stay on the bed, too. Also a plus.
Posted by: Maria Stahl | June 29, 2010 at 05:36 AM
I figure I take so much time piecing the front...I might as well take the time to piece the back. I LOVE pieced backings...sometimes that have the front's leftovers, sometimes just fabric that 'goes' with the front. I like to make giant-sized blocks on the back, too...if I've made a pattern with stars on the front, I'll make a giant star on the back. I've also done a 'novelty' back, for instance, for my daughter's graduation quilt, I pieced a back that had novelty fabrics that had some significance in her life...sports, activities, favorite cartoon characters. On that quilt the back was more fun to piece than the front! I rarely do just one fabric on the back...love the variety of many.
Posted by: Jane | June 29, 2010 at 05:43 AM
I buy white backing by the bolt and hand dye it to go with the front. I always seem to have leftovers pieces since I always cut the backing longer and wider to account for shrinkage. When I was making a lot of quilts for my brother's bosses and his best friend's bosses (they both toured with major rock bands) I would save the leftover pieces and labeled them. I have made a couple of quilts for myself and the backs are a sampling of all these different leftover backing pieces labeled with the date and the artist. I love turning the quilts over and remembering all those quilts!
Posted by: patty | June 29, 2010 at 06:00 AM
I tend to go cheap because of necessity as opposed to not caring. I'd love to be able to co-ordinate the top to the back but it often isn't in the cards, so unless I wait until things are on clearance, which does happen sometimes, I go to the discount store. Though I really wish I didn't have to.
Posted by: Cara | June 29, 2010 at 06:16 AM
I'm usually on the lookout for backing fabrics that coordinate with the top. They don't necessarily have to be matchy-matchy. For instance, if I'm working on a 3 Sisters top, I can usually find prints from a previous 3 Sisters line at a discount for the backing that coordinates - kind of like what you were talking about with all the Fig Tree lines coordinating so well a few weeks back.
Posted by: Megan | June 29, 2010 at 06:16 AM
I generally piece my backings with a variety of fabric. I like it to at least match the front but it doesn't have to be from the same line. I always use top quality fabric. I odn't want to spend my time and money to make a beautiful quilt top then put inferior fabrci on the back.
So much depends on how I plan to quilt it.
I've never thought of asking the quilt shop to cut the fabric for me- what a great idea!!!
Posted by: LoriD | June 29, 2010 at 06:25 AM
I believe in using the best quality of fabric for my quilt backs. Even if it is plain white, I use a really nice muslin. As a matter of fact, I once made a quilt that I wasn't all that excited about until I added the backing in a coordinating fabric. The backing made the quilt for me!
Question: Do you piece your backing so that the seam runs vertically down the middle or horizontally across the middle?
Posted by: Jennifer | June 29, 2010 at 06:28 AM
The back of my quilt is just as important to me at the front. It is all in the finishing....a reflection of me as a quilter. More often than not, I piece the backs of my quilts with coordinated scraps. The cost is minimal compared to purchasing six to seven yards of fabric. At In Between Stitches we will cut the backing for you in any length you wish.
Posted by: Lynn Wilder | June 29, 2010 at 06:32 AM
Have you seen wide backing fabric? We make a trip or two each year out to Amish country, and I pick up 3 yards of several different backings. At first I didn't care for the quality - but I think that it has improved considerably since I first tried it (at least 4 years ago). I like nice backings, but a neutral that coordinates with the quilt does work for me.
Posted by: Jo | June 29, 2010 at 06:39 AM
I love to put a 'surprise' on the back using the same fabric and a similar pattern as the front. I put some thought in what to do to make the back fun while I'm still piecing the top! or, I'll do a checkerboard down the middle...even wall hangings get something! As for the backing fabric--I make sure to buy plenty of 'matchy-matchy' when I'm buying for the top. I often buy from on-line vendors (Fat Quarter Shop!!) and a few others (e-bay has some really nice ones). If I'm going to spend my time and money I want it to be long-lasting and pretty at the same time!
Posted by: Jan | June 29, 2010 at 06:41 AM
I do like a nice backing-something soft. Sometimes I do flannel if for a fall/winter baby. I do like it to go with the front but if I don't find what I like, I do white or neutral. To me the key is a "feel good" fabric as my quilts are made to be used. I always use quilt shop fabric.
I haven't asked about cutting the backs but I have had them cut fabric in sections for me (for whatever reason) and they have ALWAYS done it cheerfully-no matter what shop I've been in.
Posted by: Karen | June 29, 2010 at 06:48 AM
I have some wide backings and sometimes piece my backing but always, all are bought on sale. It doesn't matter to me if the backing fabric is the same as the front, as long as it's good quality and it coordinates well, I'll be happy with it.
For my very simple or old-fashioned looking quilts, I often use muslin for the backing.
I'm doing that 9 Patch-a-day challenge and waited so late to start that I made all 32 in 2 days! This sweet quilt may get a muslin backing unless I have a backing fabric that will work well.
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | June 29, 2010 at 06:48 AM