Quilt Backing Design Ideas
- Use a backing that coordinates with the quilt top if both will be visible during use.
- Choose a quilt backing with an interesting motif and then quilt from the back, along the fabric's printed lines, to transfer the design to the front.
- A busy backing hides less-than-perfect quilting stitches on the back of the quilt.
- Don't feel limited -- use any backing fabric that suits your needs.
How to Make Quilt Backing from Typical Quilting Fabrics
Remove the Selvages
Fabric selvages can often create little puckers along their length and should be removed before using fabric as backing. Determine how much width will remain after removing selvages. (See Understanding Fabric Grain)
Cut a Single Panel Backing
Regular quilting fabric is suitable for quilts up to about 35" wide. Not all fabrics are the same width -- remember the 4" excess guideline. There's usually no need to remove selvages when a single panel of fabric is used since they will likely be trimmed away after the quilting is finished.
Calculate Yardage for a Single Panel
- Measure the height of the quilt and add 4-6" (or chosen excess).
- Divide the figure by 36" to calculate required yardage. Add a bit extra to allow for shrinkage. (Decimal Conversion Chart)
Make Pieced Quilt Backing for Larger Projects
Most quilters avoid using two equally-sized pieces of fabric to make quilt backing because that technique puts the seam that links the panels together along the quilt's midpoint, where quilts are often folded.
Constant folding might weaken the seam over time.
I'm honestly not sure if that's true, or if it's just another viewpoint we've come to regard as fact. We shouldn't store quilts in the same folded position for any length of time because doing that can create permanent folds that are difficult to smooth away. Read 5 Ways to Safely Store Quilts for storage ideas.
I prefer the appearance of a quilt backing that's made with a wide center panel flanked by two narrower panels, as shown in the illustration, but there are times when that arrangement might not be the best choice.
A Few Design What Ifs
If your quilt is 45" wide, you'll need a backing that measures about 49" across. Let's say your center panel measures 39" after removing the selvages. You'll only need 6" more, and sewing 3" wide panels on either side of the center could make the backing look out of proportion.
One solution might be to use two fabric panels, one narrow panel sewn to a full-width panel.
How to Sew Quilt Backing Panels Together
- Determine yardage length as instructed above. Measure the width of your quilt and add 4-6" (or chosen excess).
- Design a backing to equal that width, adding 1/2" to each panel for each seam you'll use to sew it to a neighboring panel.
- Cut panels to the length of your quilt plus 4-6" (or chosen excess).
- Sew panels together with a 1/2" seam allowance. Press seams open to reduce bulk.
- Press backing before use.
You'll find more backing layout options on page 3.
