tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post6254274590866623890..comments2023-10-29T02:04:21.676-07:00Comments on Quilting Daze: Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06889819189264646562noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-60167109237283210542009-04-19T07:16:00.000-07:002009-04-19T07:16:00.000-07:00I am relatively new to quilting - less than 2 year...I am relatively new to quilting - less than 2 years of experience- and have until now bought fabrics especially for backing. My first bed-size quilt (it was also a gift for the first-born of a friend) was backed with wide backing fabric, another big one WIP has a flanel backing. A project that I am quilting at the moment has a very pretty fabric coordinated with the top since I plan to "overquilt" it and hope to be showing the back as much as the front ;-). For most of my other smaller pieces I have used IKEA 100% cotton uni fabric that retails at about 3euro/m. I am so envious when I read about the prices of fabric in the States, or Australia. Here in Belgium the average price for a decent patchwork fabric is about 14-16euro, if you are lucky 10-12. Last summer I bought some lovely fabric at a sale at 6euro/m but that was quite an exceptional offer and trust me, I profitted from it.<br />My patchwork teacher says she sometimes uses her husband's old shirts for backing and the advantage is that they are usually soft and lend themselves to easy quilting. By the way, we are hand quilters, so it is really important how the fabric feels when you spend such a long time caressing it.<br />I am, though, very fond of pieced backings and am planning to start experimenting with that. I was just wondering whether it does not make hand quilting more difficult. Anybody out there who hand quilts, please let me know.Blogless mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05472840688852230416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-65758261470881433352009-03-29T13:44:00.000-07:002009-03-29T13:44:00.000-07:00Dear Darlene, I'm a scrappy back LOVER and a scrap...Dear Darlene, I'm a scrappy back LOVER and a scrappy back piecer HATER (I HATE making them, but I LOVE the look!) I think actually I enjoy the process of making them, but not the THOUGHT of making one. By the time I am finished with the top, I dont' want to piece a border OR a backing, I just want to QUILT! HA! Try Maryquilts.com for a cute off center 4 patch backing. She has some great free patterns on there as well.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18228272999302748449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-3927829894145356972009-03-28T05:59:00.000-07:002009-03-28T05:59:00.000-07:00My backing fabrics are always from sales. I have ...My backing fabrics are always from sales. I have a huge shelf jammed with just backing fabrics and are ready to be pulled whenever I need them.Rose Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13222914515169308269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-48349809401968472562009-03-22T14:05:00.000-07:002009-03-22T14:05:00.000-07:00If it is a small quilt, I piece a backing from lef...If it is a small quilt, I piece a backing from leftovers. <BR/>If it is a large quilt, I go to our LQS at their "full moon store" and buy a wide backing (no piecing required!) and get one at 30% off.<BR/>I hae been known to buy a lot of one great, cheap fabric to use for lots of backings, but not very oftern.Quilter Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16870660916547202929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-86083170993376593282009-03-21T03:18:00.000-07:002009-03-21T03:18:00.000-07:00Well I was always purchasing them, but I know I ha...Well I was always purchasing them, but I know I have a big bag of pieces of fabric that I normally won't use on the attick and I am thinking of going to use them as backings from now on to save up on some money.Judithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14794073010954991300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-30106863004715437032009-03-20T20:41:00.000-07:002009-03-20T20:41:00.000-07:00I hit the sale corner for the 50% off or $3 yard f...I hit the sale corner for the 50% off or $3 yard fabrics at the LQS. then I go to 1000's of Bolts too for backing fabrics...they even have wide backings. I also am trying to add sections to extend the length and not have to use more yardage!Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14059454522337423829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-36605435653754826932009-03-20T20:38:00.000-07:002009-03-20T20:38:00.000-07:00I try not to buy backing fabric if I can help it. ...I try not to buy backing fabric if I can help it. I get creative with my backings on occasion, by piecing the fabrics used in the quilt top together. I'll sew strips, squares, whatever works with the leftover fabrics I have. OR, I'll find a fabric with the colors of the quilt top in it, and use that. If the quilt is a gift, then I usually purchase fabric for the back.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13628639090267311898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-82294805646046530902009-03-20T19:49:00.000-07:002009-03-20T19:49:00.000-07:00Hi Darlene,First I wanted to say thanks for leavin...Hi Darlene,<BR/>First I wanted to say thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. It's funny about your question for quilt backings, because I had the same post on my blog. I usually use white or off white 100% cotton muslin or sheeting material. It comes in 90"-108" wide and it's cheap. If you look on my blog under the label "quilt backs", you can read comments from other bloggers too.<BR/>Have a great weekend,<BR/>~Karen~Karen from Sew Many Ways...https://www.blogger.com/profile/05258367030113873230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-75880715896022132572009-03-20T14:20:00.000-07:002009-03-20T14:20:00.000-07:00I like to have the backing somehow co-ordinate wit...I like to have the backing somehow co-ordinate with the quilt top. Sometimes, I piece together 12 inch squares of fabric from my stash. Sometimes I use strips of fabric with star blocks added in. Stars are a favorite of mine. I sometimes start with a large rectangle and use whatever width of fabric strips I can come up with to go around it log cabin style until it is large enough for the backing.<BR/>I used to stock up on backings at sale prices but end up not using many of them. I hate to pay full price for yardage for backing but I do want quality fabric.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01816001950084090576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-41673989205503573452009-03-20T07:50:00.000-07:002009-03-20T07:50:00.000-07:00I don't worry about backings as none of my large q...I don't worry about backings as none of my large quilts ever make it to that stage!! LOLPamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01741073501328591544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-70580315514725788342009-03-20T04:47:00.000-07:002009-03-20T04:47:00.000-07:00I hate to use my "good" fabric for backing unless ...I hate to use my "good" fabric for backing unless there is a chance the back will be photographed. I almost always piece the back and I use fabric from the clearance room at my local quilt shop.4.99 a yard and good stuff.Dawn Heesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02135572282475295064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-5653250644733790262009-03-20T03:59:00.000-07:002009-03-20T03:59:00.000-07:00I rarely buy backing - I generally just put some f...I rarely buy backing - I generally just put some fabric together from my stash, leftover blocks, etc and several times, people wound up liking the backing better than the front!Shelina (formerly known as Shasta)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03290945204269323129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-64523972227792937902009-03-19T22:46:00.000-07:002009-03-19T22:46:00.000-07:00I have been lucky in finding fat backs that co ord...I have been lucky in finding fat backs that co ordinate well with my quilts. I use that for the queen size quilts as I dislike seams on my back. The can be economical for smaller quilts also buying the width as your yardage.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03427304460897364021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-55593970486420496882009-03-19T16:57:00.000-07:002009-03-19T16:57:00.000-07:00I usually wait until I've finished piecing the top...I usually wait until I've finished piecing the top to buy the backing. But that can be risky because I like to have coordinating fabric on the back. When I make a queen size bed quilt I like to use the extra wide fabric specially sold for backing; it is usually a little less expensive on a square foot basis and doesn't require seaming together those long lengths.Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12585773626369107567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-26609666852080447902009-03-19T14:34:00.000-07:002009-03-19T14:34:00.000-07:00Darlene, I do a little of everything that has alre...Darlene, I do a little of everything that has already been mentioned! I recently saw John Flynn explain how to make the most out of fabric for backing and am going to try this as well: http://www.flynnquilt.com/freepattern.html Scroll down the page a bit and it will be explained.<BR/>Cheers!Candacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15520872958009985226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-25499751704790180012009-03-19T14:08:00.000-07:002009-03-19T14:08:00.000-07:00All of the above. Some quilts get a specific back...All of the above. Some quilts get a specific backing fabric, others get something from my stash, and still others get something pieced together from leftovers and whatevers. <BR/><BR/>One of my favorite recent backings was made using about 20 - 1/4-yard cuts of fabric. The pieces were from a kit I had been given and knew I would never, ever make. I loved the fabric but I knew I wouldn't make the quilt pattern. <BR/><BR/>By the way, stopped by an lqs yesterday and the new April Cornell Spring Magic was $10.69 a yard! Yikes!Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06595778602443503596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-13013652531892570322009-03-19T13:38:00.000-07:002009-03-19T13:38:00.000-07:00Well.. I know you are not supposed to use sheets b...Well.. I know you are not supposed to use sheets becuase the thread count is too high and if machine quilting the threads can break easier.. but I still use sheets for hand quilting. Or I will pick up yardage on sale or sometimes I can find new big pieces at rummage sales, etc. But lots of times I end up piecing for backs. <BR/>You got a lot of good suggestions here.. it's a great question!Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272090843872445967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-48370498554435909422009-03-19T11:04:00.000-07:002009-03-19T11:04:00.000-07:00I have started browsing the clearance section in J...I have started browsing the clearance section in Joanne's. I have found some great fabric back there. I also will purchase tea dyed muslin by the bolt when I have a discount coupon. If all fails, it makes a nice backing and after-all, long ago, most backs were muslin. If the quilt is white I will use white muslin, since most patterned backings may shadow to the front. <BR/><BR/>I too like to piece backings and although I try to "match" the quilt, I don't always and it doesn't seem to distract from the quilt toop.Patriciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05714097352546704948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-84795814607796734892009-03-19T10:57:00.000-07:002009-03-19T10:57:00.000-07:00I buy them once or twice a year, during a LQS sale...I buy them once or twice a year, during a LQS sale at $4.00/yd. 6 yards if available. That's good for one large quilt, or 2 medium quilts. I don't care if I like the fabric or no (within reason), just if they are reasonable. Since I quilt them myself, usually, on my DSM, I also look for somewhat busy prints with white in them. I don't buy junky fabric. Sometimes I buy yardage at JoAnns with the coupon. And sometimes I use pieces, although am not usually happy with the proportions -- other people's pieces always look better than mine! <BR/><BR/>ONe time I made the backing with wide strips, log cabin style, and THAT was well-received!Elaine Adairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14664504842156046995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-3631775698437161502009-03-19T07:58:00.000-07:002009-03-19T07:58:00.000-07:00I don't buy backing until I'm finished the quilt. ...I don't buy backing until I'm finished the quilt. Sometimes I'll take the leftover fabrics from the quilt and piece them for the back. If I don't feel like doing that I'll look for something on sale but it has to be nice, not the yucky fabric no body wants. I did recently buy a backing (not on sale) now I'm rethinking that maybe I like it so much it will become part of a quilt top...we'll see. Good post, you ask the best questions.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10854012098533662222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-58350423469451646372009-03-19T07:42:00.000-07:002009-03-19T07:42:00.000-07:00The only quilts that I really worry about the back...The only quilts that I really worry about the backing are the "special" quilts that I make. If it is just a quilt that will be well used, I don't worry about having a matching backing for it. I know I won't be entering these quilts in a quilt show or giving them to someone special, so I just use what I have. I have a hard time justifying $9.50/yd material for a back.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07628901967434383065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-67200060461940130292009-03-19T06:50:00.000-07:002009-03-19T06:50:00.000-07:00I love a pieced back - if there are fabrics left f...I love a pieced back - if there are fabrics left from piecing the top, I try to use what I can to construct the back. For me it isn't always necessary to have an exact matchy-matchy back, but I do like for it to make sense . . . does that make sense? So if I don't have 'leftovers' then I go for pieces of fabric that coordinate or are in the same color family.Libbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17872055894285312153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-17726029345946920152009-03-19T06:02:00.000-07:002009-03-19T06:02:00.000-07:00I use leftovers from the front for the back and ha...I use leftovers from the front for the back and have even been known to use leftover, random blocks on the back.Shakerwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793734053680624536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-51645179720111946162009-03-19T05:38:00.000-07:002009-03-19T05:38:00.000-07:00This won't be much help to you, but Marden's (only...This won't be much help to you, but Marden's (only found here in Maine) sells 108 width fabric. Solids are 5.99 and prints 6.99. They don't always have the same fabrics, so when I find ones I like they come home to my stash until I have a quilt to use them on. <BR/>I'm thinking with a big empty suitcase maybe Maine should be your next vacation destination.tamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14869702375009787359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29563767.post-77301435933951928632009-03-19T05:23:00.000-07:002009-03-19T05:23:00.000-07:00I very often piece the backings. They sometimes tu...I very often piece the backings. They sometimes turn out to be nicer and more interesting than the front. I try to use a fabric that connects to the front somehow and piecing makes that easier.Joycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17083924435653058457noreply@blogger.com