The Backing(s)
Sigh
Long ago I told you that I'm a simple process person - I truly enjoy just sewing and usually don't care one or the other whether or not a flimsy ever becomes a real quilt. I have piles and piles of completed quilts and probably twice as many quilt tops and I've found that the quilt tops are easier to store. LOL I know, I know some of you are shocked but it is what it is and I make no apologies. :-)
Anyway, I've been thinking about the more recent flimsies and think I'd like to get them ALL to the real quilt stage. LOL
I am now met with a challenge - the backings. Sigh! I usually try to purchase backing that is from the same line of fabric, making sure it's all matchy-matchy but the expense makes me cringe. Another Sigh!I have a question for you.
Do you get all matchy-matchy with your backings; making sure you're using something from the same line of fabric or do you just simply use something that will look nice?
I have been known to use something that provides an element of surprise - i.e. I used some whimsical cowboys on the back of a quilt made with Civil War type fabric and everyone that looked at the back always smiled. LOL
So, tell me, what do you do?
Enjoy a pieceful day.
In Friendship!
52 comments:
All of the above! Often, by the time I've finished a quilt top, the fabric line is on sale and I can get fabric for the back at a good price. In that case, it will exactly match the fabrics used for the top. Other times, I buy something for the back that is from a different collection but in the right color and character - maning if the flowers in the fabrics on the quilt top are realstic, I use realistic on the back, not whimsical. Sometimes I use the wide backs and just look for the best color as the selection tends to be limited. And occasionally, I've pieced the back using leftovers from the top.
What ever-----most of the time it's what I have in my stash and just try to keep in the same color way. Only "special" quilts do I spend the $$$'s to make it in the same collection---unless of course I win the lottery one day.
I try and stick with fabric that is on sale for the backing, lots of times it ends up being from the same fabric line. Making Do by piecing the backing can be fun also
I am the same way! I could sit and piece forever. The quilting takes a while - I'd rather be piecing! I love to use fabric from the same line for the backing, and I sometimes do. But, more often, I'll use something I've gotten on sale ($$$ are an issue) and I like to use wide backings because I hate to piece them and my longarm likes the one-piece backs! So, there - my two cents o:)
Me too...all of the above...with these new fun fabrics I usually get a piece that matches for the back because I don't have anything that would work in my stash...lots of times I have waited long enough that it's on sale. I've pieced backs and I've also used pieces off my shelf that just work.
I have a problem with that too. I have plenty of flimsies that I know already are in fabrics that are seasons old so matching is impossible. When cost is prohibitive, I have resorted to a quality muslin or off white cotton. Bindings are another issue too. I like the idea of piecing leftovers but often turn to plains.
I try to be reasonably close with a color but I don't get too worked up about it either way. My only requirement is that it be quilt shop quality fabric. The whole idea of putting a thrift store sheet on the back of something that I worked on for hours and hours just makes no sense to me. Moda makes a beautiful ivory wide back that I love but only when I can get it on sale.
I like wide backings with no seams...as you know, I am a scrapper, so I don't really use "lines" of fabric...but I do love no seams on the back!! And I have tons of tops too...and it is just fine with me!
I try to get something that goes with it - either using left over pieces from the top and adding from my stash and making a pieced back. But some quilts require matchy matchy. Just depends.
I've made a back with left over blocks from all other projects and some really ugly FQ that I knew I would never use in a quilt. It was all for the back of a scrap quilt so it fit right in.
I think I am more matchy matchy, but not necessarily of the same fabric line. If it's custom quilting, I match the backing with whatever color thread I will use in the borders. If allover, whatever color is used most on the top. BUT I think in terms of quilting now. LOL!!
Your tops look gorgeous all together! I think you have a theme going with your bright whites and happy clear prints. Me, I'm scrappy is best and make do with what I can find to coordinate, rather than exactly match. Often I piece leftovers from the top together and add some yardage to make up the size needed. I sometimes like to make a secondary design on the back too.
If it is a scrappy quilt I don't worry about the back. That is when I de-stash the stash... you know, the "Why did I buy this?" fabric? If it needs to be matchy, then I usually find a neutral color and put it on the back.... because most of the time if I buy a line (FQ bundle, jelly roll, etc) I don't dig into it until after the line is gone. I am also known to take whatever is left of what I used and piece the back, adding whatever I have to to make it fit.
Ready for my profound opinion--some times I match and some times I done!! I hate the expense of backing and will often buy sale fabric that sort of matches, maybe!!
I have no tops waiting for quilting. I know. I'm weird. I can't see a top sitting there waiting for it to be called finished. I guess I had too many of them in the past and they all worked their way to a finish so I don't want to fall behind.
As to backing... I TRY to buy 108" backing. I don't like to piece my backing so that is an extra incentive to find a 108" backing that match.
I also like flannel backs since it adds weight to the quilts, so I end up with alot of marble prints as my backing. I have only bought the same line of fabric for the back on two quilts. And I made sure I got it on sale. If I had to buy yards and yard (I make big quilts) of backing that would need piecing.. I just might not have that many "finished" quilts.
I do both. If it is a special quilt, I like to match. Otherwise I look for something in my stash that is compatible. Sometimes, I piece the backing with some quilt blocks made from the same fabrics on the front of the quilt.
Like many of the others, if I spend a lot of money on the material for the top, then I usually buy a matching back at the same time. But because of the price of material now, I've been buying material on sale that is usually in the same color line, not worrying about the matchy business. Haven't bought many backs at 108" but that would be nice so you didn't have to piece it. I've only completed a couple of "scrappy" backs just because I had enough left over material to meet the demand, but I know long-arm quilters really don't like those pieced backs with so many seams.
I am always on the look out for great buys on backings. Sometimes I can find them for as little as $2 a yd. But that's rare. When I do find a great buy I pick up the bolt and count how many yards are on it buy counting two folds as one yard. If there is 6 yds. or more I usually buy it. Sometimes the stores give a discount for finishing a bolt so there is an additional bonus. Right now I have enough yardage for 40 quilts - gasp! I have 22 tops waiting for one of those backs. Part of the fun of finishing a top is going to my stash to pick out the backing. I just finished quilting a scrappy quilt that I made while my daughter and family were staying with me. I call it "Houseguests". I had some yardage that was old inn and tavern signs and somehow thought that was appropriate for this quilt as sometimes I feel like an Inn.
Oh I sure understand about being happy with just flimies. I've felt that way about just having blocks. After all it's about having fun doing what you like. Have fun with your current goal - I think I would just find something that goes well. Or something fun like you mentioned. I gave up being matchy matchy with the price of fabric too.
When I first started quilting, I always used muslin for backing. It was inexpensive and it went with everything. Then, after I had a little more confidence, I would buy clearance fabric from JoAnn's that would be a close match to the quilt top. With the increase in fabric price, I've been trying to use up more of my stash for backing. My biggest problem with piecing backing is that I can't always keep it straight since I do all of my quilting on my domestic sewing machine. I'm seriously thinking about getting a frame and a mid arm size machine to finish up my many, MANY ufo's :-)
Never the same line! I very rarely pay attention to the line names anyway, so I'd have no idea. I love to piece my backings with different fabric but it makes it more of a challenge for thread matching the bobbin and to get it to lay nice and flat...and square!
Consider I've never seen a Quilt Police (except when you enter a judged show), so I get to do whatever I choose. I've done all of the above and because I make many children's quilts for Project Linus, I take the left over pieces of fabric from that quilt, sew them together and use for my binding.
Keep on quilting and enjoy your quilts no matter if they are flimsies or finished quilts!
I am always about 'matchey-matchey' but i have to say recently i purchased a bolt of ivory to use...like you, I cringe at the cost anymore, so solid plain backs it will be for quilts i am making for just around the house...if it's a gift, i may splurge :O)
I will probably be different from the others - I use ONLY bleached muslin for the backs. I like the way the quilting shows up - I buy a bolt of the wide bleached muslin and never have to be concerned about the backs.
I have been known to back one quilt with another....2 birds one stone so to speak...
Once in a great while I get matchy matchy, but I also love a scrapy backing...the best way to dig in to my stash!!! Great quilts there by the way!!!.
I have to admit that I like matchy-matchy backings! I find that I buy a FQ bundle when it is new out, then wait until the yardage is on clearance and buy then for the backing since I usually don't mind which print goes on the back as long as it matches :) I have even been known to put a different range by the same designer on the back, eg Fig Tree are generally pretty interchangable.
I use vintage sheets. I love the way they feel, and I do try to get something that somewhat matches. And they're big enough. No piecing backings for me! Too fiddly.
Not very often do I have the same line as the front. I'll look for something on sale but still looks nice. I don't like the wide backings usually. I like your method of something surprising on the back.
If it's a huge quilt, I buy a large backing, but if it's a twin or lap quilt I piece from stash...sometimes matching in theme or colour, but sometimes random!
I used to use quilting cotton coordinated with the top but the sheer expense stopped that in its tracks.
I've switched over to 108" wide unbleached muslin. I buy the entire bolt and usually wait until I have a substantial discount coupon also. The last bolt I bought (due to the coupon) ended up being $3.80/yard. At 108" wide! :-)
Yes, I wash the entire bolt when I get it home. The washing allows the weave to relax into how it wants to be, as well as removing sizing and extraneous dirt & debris. It's a real pain to stuff the entire bolt of fabric into the washer and even more of a pain to align the selvages & center fold to fold it back onto the cardboard .. but it ends up being so worth it.
I have a seamless backing that is very soft to the touch. I use Superior's Bottom Line in cream (or something) as my bobbin thread and the quilting on the back always looks so wonderful!
And did I say cheap? er .. inexpensive, that is! :-)
Good for you! You are going to roll through a ton of yardage. It'll look great on your stash report! I'm such a scrappy gal that I seldom make a quilt using just one line although I have a couple of layer cakes that I want to use so I will soon be eating my words. But I usually just find something that I like. If it's on clearance...even better! And I figure if it makes you smile, then you've found the right one. I'm excited to see you roll out those quilts! You worked hard on them and they deserve to be loved!
I like to use a plain fabric on the back, often Kona Snow, as that lets the quilting show and sometimes I will use a quilt that way up like a wholecloth quilt, so, 2 for the price of one. Can't be bad!
I always choose just something that will look nice, and I enjoy the "drama" of deciding. I decide AFTER the quilt top is finished; then I'll know exactly how much fabric I'll need. Usually my backing is somewhat pieced, (more than 1 fabric), e.g., something whimsical pieced into the center, or down one side. Usually I can find something in my stash that works, avoiding a new purchase.
I used to just use sale fabrics or piece leftover fabric into a backing. Lately, I have gotten picky.
I rarely use the same fabric line for a backing. Normally I just use whatever looks good. I also use a lot of sheets for backings. I love it when I find good used ones at the second hand store. It really saves me a lot of money! :0)
I only go "matchy matchy" on the backings if I can find the fabric on sale...it's just too expensive if not! Backings are my weakness, too...I always end up with a pile of tops that need backs!
I try to match the top to the back, but that only happens if I find the fabric on sale or if the quilt is a gift. Otherwise, I select something a fabric the binding will look good on both sides.
I do not make mine matchy matchy. I try to buy my backing fabrics when they are on sale. Something similar but not usually the same line. Most of my quilts don't use all the same line anyway.
I use to buy 9 dollar cotton sheets for my back as long as one of the colors was caught by the sheet the rest didnt matter to me, unless Im doing a special gift quilt or an heirloom or Baltimore Album I could care less about the back...
I usually find a backing that a lot of the colors from the top. I rarely use the same fabric line in the quilt in the backing.
i like you think flimsies are easier to store than quilts..i make the top, put the binding with it and put it in a drawer..have many of those..then when i need a quilt to give someone or to donate to charity i take it out ---go buy a sheet that matches--and there i have the makings of a quilt..i always have a batt laying around..i find that sheets make great backs...the beautiful quilting doesn't always show up on front but it sure does on a plain back..and no seam there...but then i too am a simple person and nobody has ever complained to me about the backs on my quilts..
Previously I put the extra blocks on the back in a pleasing pattern. Or use the left over fabric from the front. Way too much work.
Now I buy bolts of fabric, though I wait for a on sale.
We make quilts for foster kids, so I bought a bolt of print fabric that had many primary colors.
I do the same with the quilts for the adults. But the backing tends to be of a quieter color pallet. And something that everyone would enjoy.
I am a cheapskate and proud of it! I buy big yardage when it is on sale from Joanns for backing. If I don't have big yardage for a back, I will piece together whatever I have that will work, including any leftover blocks and fabric from the front. It adds interest to the back, and makes it more fun. And it is more frugal. And it uses up the fabric I already have at home, making space for new fabric!
I kind of do whatever! If I can find a matching backing on sale, great! If not, I do the best I can!!
Whimsy! Have fun with it. Better finished than unfinished. And better in your budget than feeling guilty.
It is stagering the cost of doing a backing for a quilt, then add on the long arm quilting if you are feeling too lazy to run it through your home machine (I have done up to a queen on my Bernina at home with the fancy quilting stitch they have)- and made muscles wrestling it though the machine! LOL! In my futile search for reasonably priced yardage in Canada I resorted to opening my own quilting shop on Ebay. I now buy all fabric wholesale and whatever I don't use I sell at just over cost to Ebay buyers. I mark it up just enought to pay for my PayPal fees and Ebay fees. Win - win for me and all quilters out there who can't afford to shop retail.
No matchy-matchy here. I am cheap (aka poor) so I use something in the same color family. Since all my fabric is prim/dark, it all goes together anyway. For wall hangings I just use muslin because no one is going to see it. At least they better not be peeking on the back!
I don't usually make a quilt from a single line of fabric, so I have a lot more flexibility with the backing. I love to take something from the front of the quilt and put on the back whether it be making an extra block to insert into a pieced backing or just using stripes of something from the front that I still have in quantity. Awhile back I made a quilt for the new grandson of a friend of mine. I took various sized pieces (strips and quadrangles) that I had used on the front that I knew I would never use again but I also added a swatch of potato print fabric into the mix. It was something I had gotten in a fabric pack and had absolutely no use for but I thought it would be a whimsical addition to a quilt for a little boy with Irish heritage. Everyboy thought it was cute and certainly unexpected since the theme of the quilt was lions (baby's name is Leo). Bottom line for me is: as long as it all works together, go for it.
My answer is similar to many others given. My stash is filled with fabrics galore, every one bought on sale, none bought with a specific quilt in mind. They're just waiting patiently till they're called to be backings.
I seldom use backing from the same fabric line as the front. I try to repeat colors or repeat themes (e.g. flowers on the front and the back), but often I use whatever strikes me. A surprise fabric on the back is one of my favorite things to do.
Depends. If I can't get fabric from the same line, I try to at least go with the same designer (if I'm not making a scrappy quilt). If not, I work with what I can find.
I could probably count on one hand the number of times my backing fabric is the same fabric line as the quilt front. I usually go with whatever matches. But lately I have gone to muslin and even piecing backings; which I hate doing on giveaway quilts.
Me too - if I can find a backing for a good price out of the same line I go for the match. Otherwise, I make do.
Post a Comment