Pieced Backing
If you don't use wide yardage you'll need to piece the backing for large quilts.Most quilters avoid using two equally-sized pieces of fabric to make backing, because that technique would put the seam that links them together along the quilt's midpoint, where quilts are often folded. They believe that constant folding will weaken the seam.
I'm honestly not sure if that's true, or if it's just another viewpoint we've come to regard as fact, like pressing seams to one side vs. pressing them open. After all, we shouldn't store quilts in the same folded position for any length of time, because it can create permanent folds that are difficult to smooth away.
I do like the looks of a 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.
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 placing 3" wide panels on either side of the center can make the backing look out of proportion -- and place side seam allowances awfully close together.
One solution might be to use two fabric panels, one narrow panel sewn to a full-width panel.
You're in total control of backing layout. Do what works best for your quilt and the fabric you intend to use.
Sew the Panels Together
Determine yardage length as instructed on page 2.
- Measure the width of your quilt and add 4" (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" (or chosen excess).
- Sew panels together with a 1/2" seam allowance. Press seams open.
- Press backing before use.
