Quilt Backing Guide

Excitement is building for the “Are you Game” Puzzle Mystery Quilt reveal in April! I am looking forward to the big day as this will be my mom’s first quilt!  At 82, she is so proud to be sewing this all on her own and plans to use it as a lap quilt. It has been wonderful for my sister and I to share the love of quilting with our mom. She has been delighted with her progress each month and having fun trying to guess the final design. 

But you may wonder - How do I finish this quilt? This week, I’m going to share some tips on backing. Depending on where you are on your quilt journey may determine how adventurous you want to be with the back of your quilt. In my research, I have found there are no “rules” for backing a quilt. Anything goes but some choices may make it more difficult to quilt the final project or affect how well your quilt will hold up over the years.

The first thing to consider is the fabric choice. 

• If you are using a premium quilting cotton fabric on the front, you may want to match the same for your back. Many quilters prefer to repeat a fabric from the front using an all over design fabric to give a cohesive look to the finished quilt. Are you game mystery quilt fabrics available from Cotton Cuts website. Be sure to purchase extra to match directional fabric. (Don’t see what you need? Send us an email at help@cottoncuts.com and we’ll help you track it down)

• For a very large bed quilt that is 90” or wider you can purchase 108” wide fabric. This fabric is sometimes made of a different quality substrate fabric and tends to shrink more than the normal 44” wide fabric. Pre-washing and buying a little extra is highly recommended.  To learn more about using 108” wide fabric for quilt backing, check out this post from Just A Bit Frayed.

• I have read about using a bed sheet as a backing but this is a hot topic in the quilting world! Many experienced quilters do not recommend it, but some do. Still can’t decide? Meadow Mist Designs and Patchwork Posse break down their findings about sheets as quilt backing.

• Minky is a very soft and fuzzy fabric that does not shrink at all. You may want to pre-wash the quilt top to accommodate for the difference in fabric types unless you prefer a very crinkled look on the quilt top. On the downside, this fabric is stretchy, does not lay flat and sheds as you cut and sew it. If you toss it in the dryer for a few minutes it can help catch the fabric fuzzies to cut down on the lint.  Homemade Emily Jane has some tips for using Minky.

• Flannel is a warm and cuddly fabric to use but the wide range of fabric quality can be an issue. It is highly recommended to pre-wash and dry with heat. Quilty Love has a great article about using Flannel in your quilts.

Once you have made your fabric choice, it’s time to determine how much fabric to purchase. 

• The standard is to allow an extra 4” on all four sides, so add 8” to the height and width to the final quilt top measurements. Remember to buy about ½ yard extra for directional fabric. The Final Stitch on YouTube from Missouri Star explains backing basics with how to measure and suggestions of how to piece the back. You can print this Pieced Backing Guide for a great visual on how to figure fabric amounts and where to seam the backing.

Many quilters get creative with piecing the back. These are a few basic guidelines to keep in mind as you decide on a design.

•  It is better to go with an asymmetrical design on the back since it is more difficult and time consuming to line up a center design.

• Creatively piecing the back can be a wonderful way to use up some of your stash fabric and unused blocks from the quilt front. Check out Rosie Crafts for a Stashbusting with Pieced Quilt Backs tutorial.  

• Try to use larger pieces and vary the seams so that it doesn’t become too thick due to the seams lining up with the front of the quilt. 

• It is also recommended to use ½” seams pressed open to help it lay smooth and add security to the seam. 

• Be sure to always cut off the selvage edges of the fabric because it can cause puckering on the back. 

• Angela Walters from the Midnight Quilt Show is a fun tutorial on how to easily add interest by sewing a panel made from your stash into the backing.

However you decide to back your quilt, it will be uniquely yours! Don’t forget to put a label on the back with your name and the year it was made. If you are giving it as a gift it is a nice touch to add a message or a quote. Need some quilt label inspiration? Head to Inspired Quilting by Lea Louise and She Can Sew for some free and fun ideas.

I also created a Pinterest board with some great information and tutorials to help you decide on your quilt backing.

It’s not too late to join our Spring 2021 Sparkle & Shine Puzzle Mystery Quilt, sign-ups close on March 20th!