10 Ways to Make a Quilt Back II

A couple of years ago I first shared 10 Ways to Make a Quilt Back, and it seems time to refresh it a bit. Part of the impetus is the #partyinthequiltback hosted by 3rd story workshop over on Instagram. "It's a festival with daily prizes, community, and fun," running from September 18-22. 

So here are some of the many ways I create quilt backs. It's rarely my favorite part of the quilting process, but a necessary one nonetheless. And it's definitely good to have options, right?

1. Whether it's purchasing a wide-back for a large quilt, or discovering an unexpected find in the ole stash that works perfectly with the smaller quilt top I've created, a whole-cloth is quick and satisfying. The time I used a panel from Jeni Baker's Nordika turned out really fun, showing off the quilting like it did.

Mango Block

And for this baby quilt, it was a chance to really show off a sweet print.

Baby Coin

2. Matched-seam backing is one of the newer techniques I've tried, and I'm still perfecting my skills. Of course, you need to have an extra long length of fabric, depending on the fabric's design, but it's totally worth it.

Venti

3. Two years later, it's still true. If I made a backing of stashed fat quarters for all my future quilts, I think I'd be set for life. Simple to sew together, and a great stash buster.



4. Using a design repeated from the quilt front is probably my favorite way to create a quilt back.

Steeped in Tradition

5. A close second is using just an element from the front design....

Sunshiney Day

or repeated elements.

Mingled

6. Something I've just done a couple of times, but with great effect is the use of border prints. I was so pleased how this turned out and I need to do it again!

Junctions

7. Of course, the combination of simple geometric elements is always a win-win.

Sidestep

Both the solid version above and the gingham one below completely use leftover fabrics from the front, a matchy-matchy approach I really love.

Geo Baby

8. It's also great fun to super-size just one block from those on the quilt front.

Finally Unlocked

9. And surprise surprise, sometimes an improvisationally pieced back is just the ticket. Oh yeah.

Poster in Coral

All In

10. And lastly, why not back a quilt top with another quilt top? Won't do a bona fide two-sided quilt every time, but I loved doing it here. And for those of you who have stacks of quilt tops ready to quilt.... well why not?

  

Bilateral

So tell us about your go-to quilt back, will you? And consider joining in with
#partyinthequiltback. Fun times and inspiration to boot.

10 Ways to Make a Quilt Back

Not sure why quilt backs have been on my mind lately, especially considering the fact that by the time I finish a quilt top, I really don't want to give the back much of a thought. And I'd say the larger the quilt, the more I struggle with a quilt back plan. I guess it just is what it is. But for what it's worth, I've gathered up some options.

1. Whether it's purchasing a wide-back for a large quilt, or discovering an unexpected find in the ole stash that works perfectly with the smaller quilt top I've created, a whole-cloth is quick and satisfying. The time I used a panel from Jeni Baker's Nordika turned out really fun, showing off the quilting like it did.

Mango Block

2. Matched-seam backing is one of the newer techniques I've tried, and I'll work on perfecting it. Of course, you need to have an extra long length of fabric, depending on the design and all, but totally worth it now and then.

Venti

3. Seriously, if I made a backing of stashed fat quarters for all my future quilts, I think I'd be set for life. Simple to sew together, and a great stash buster.



4. Using a design repeated from the quilt front is probably my favorite way to create a quilt back.

Steeped in Tradition

5. A close second is using just an element from the front design.

Sunshiney Day

6. Something I've just done a couple of times, but with great effect is the use of border prints. I was so pleased how this turned out!

Junctions

7. Of course, the combination of simple geometric elements is always a win-win.

Mod Irish

8. Once I chose to super-size just one block from the 100 on the front.

Finally Unlocked

9. And of course, sometimes an improvisational pieced back is just the trick. Oh yeah.

Poster in Coral

10. And lastly, it's great fun to back a quilt top with another quilt top. Won't do a bona fide two-sided quilt every time, but I loved doing it here. And for those of you who have stacks of quilt tops ready to quilt.... well why not?

  

Bilateral

So do you have a go-to quilt back? Or do you have one that you're extraordinarily pleased with? Do you take your time with it, or get it over with as fast as you can? Do tell!

Fat Quarter Quilt Back

Back in September, I shared 8 Modern Ways to Back a Quilt over on Sew, Mama, Sew and I'm kind of surprised that while curating that collection of tutorials, I never once came across one like I made for my current quilting project. Now I'll be the first to admit that in the process of modernizing my stash over the last few years, I have collected plenty of fat quarters. Enough, in fact, to make an easy scrappy backing for just about any quilt.

Apparently not all fat quarters are made equal, so I had to trim mine to the same size, 16.5" x 18". This isn't rocket-science, to be sure. Just a reminder how easy it can be to make a relatively simple quilt back at a moment's notice. And considering the easiest quilt backing of all time (to me) is one made from one length of fabric, this must surely be the second.

Using 12 fat quarters, this quilt back measured 53" x 64.5".

Monday, Monday

There's two things to tell you about today!

First, I have a new quilting roundup over at Sew, Mama, Sew ~ 8 Modern Quilt Backs. Not only are there several tutorials, but oodles of inspiration if you follow the links to the free class, flickr group, and Pinterest boards at the end of the post.

I usually find both planning and stitching those larger quilt backs a challenge. I try to keep some larger "quilt back worthy" prints in my stash, so at least I have more options. But I do really like a multi-pieced back too, so there's always a quandary. Anyway, let me know what you think. And if you have a go-to method or especially love a new technique you see, I'd love to hear about it!

Also, here's a link to last month's Twelve Fundamental Quilting Skills if you missed that.

The other thing I want to mention is that Rachael/imagine gnats just announced the kick-off of Selfish Sewing Week!

Believe it or not, I was invited to be one of the featured stitchers, and I'll be blogging all about my week's project on Saturday. Meanwhile, what I'm working on is making the Brookfield Bag by Sew Sweetness. It's a free pattern on Sew, Mama, Sew, and I thought it would be perfect for every-day. So far I have all my pieces cut and prepped!

So stay tuned, and I hope you join in and do some selfish sewing for yourself this week!

The Backs

When I shared a recent quilt finish, I was gently scolded for not showing off the quilt's back. I suppose I only do that when I do something I consider especially creative. But that doesn't mean I don't like the back. In fact, sometimes I like it alot. At any rate, here's some 2014 quilt backs you haven't seen . . .

Radiancy got one of my very favorite prints - Newspaper Strips from Carrie Bloomston's Collage.

All the prints in the front of Still Swooning were from a fat-eighth pack of Anna Maria Horner's Dowry. So for the back, I pieced together strips of 3 pieces of the same print in different colorways.

With Aurora {aka Northern Lights} being all in solids, for the back I chose 2 stash prints - Cat Mint from Catnap by Lizzy House and Metro Living Ring Dots in Pewter. Simple, but I like. Seriously, I could back just about every quilt in Metro Living Rings.

Lastly, ástərisk got a single piece of Madrona Road by Violet Craft. I confess I was a little sad it took all I had, but it was a good fit. (Random: note how the faced binding shows off on the back more than a regular binding.)

So there! True confessions revealed. Nothing earth-shattering, but now you know. Sometimes I have the time, energy, and inspiration for something more unique, but usually my quilt backs are pretty basic. Just for fun, here's a link to a Quilt Backs Pinterest board where I add ideas as I come across them. If you have a favorite go-to quilt back, I'd love to hear about it!