Best Quilt Backing Fabrics: Top Options for Warmth & Durability

Choosing the Best Fabric for Quilt Backing

As an avid quilter for over 20 years, I often get asked, “What’s the best fabric to use for quilt backing?” From my experience, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best backing fabric depends on your quilt design, budget, and personal preferences. However, here are my top tips for selecting a high-quality, long-lasting backing that does justice to all your hard work.

Fabric Type

Cotton

Cotton quilt backing is probably the most common and versatile choice. Cotton comes in a wide variety of prints and solids, fits most budgets, and has a nice drape that works well for both hand and machine quilting. My go-to is high-quality quilting cotton or broadcloth around 100-108″ wide. From experience, the extra width allows for less piecing together of fabric panels.

Flannel

For a cozy, cuddly quilt perfect for snuggling, I recommend super-soft flannel. Brush against the flannel grain while machine quilting to raise the nap. So lush! But keep in mind, flannel has a tendency to shrink. Always pre-wash! Here’s a real-life case from my practice: I made a gorgeous flannel quilt for my cousin’s wedding gift. But I didn’t pre-wash, and after the first run through the wash, it shrunk almost a foot smaller on each side! She loved it anyway and uses it as a lap blanket instead of a bed quilt. Lesson learned!

Design Options

Solid colors – A single piece of fabric allows the intricate quilting design on top to shine through. For modern or art quilts, a solid black or white backing fabric provides a striking, bold backdrop.

Subtle prints – Small-scale prints can add visual interest while still letting your piecing and quilting take center stage. I love using a tiny floral or dot print fabric. However, be sure the scale is right for your quilt. A super large-scale print might fight with the quilt top elements.

Big bold prints – Make your quilt back a focal point too with a vibrant large-scale print fabric! Tropicals, geometrics and graphic ombré prints can make the backing as integral a design element as your piecing on top.

Coordinating prints – Select a print incorporating some colors from your quilt top to pull the whole look together. From my experience, this makes the quilt feel like a cohesive work of art from back to front.

Quilt labels – Don’t forget to sign your work! Adding a customized label to the back makes a quilt priceless. I design my own labels on the computer, print onto cotton fabric sheets then appliqué onto the lower back before binding. Though honestly, for my first attempts I just penned my name in fabric marker. We all start somewhere!

Fabric Tips

How Much Fabric Do I Need?

To figure yardage needed:
1. Measure length & width of your quilt top
2. Add 15″ length and width to those measurements
3. Convert total inches to yards

This overage gives about 8″ margin of backing fabric visible around the quilt top before binding. For a more invisible look, trim backing to just 3“ margin after assembling the whole sandwich.

Here’s my formula:

[Quilt top length + 15″] x [Quilt top width + 15″] divided by 36 = Total yards needed

Or just be lazy like me and buy way too much backing! Maybe I’ll use the leftovers for a fun mini quilt. Are you eyeing one of those adorable quilt block calendar patterns?

Assembling the Backing

Piece panels together with 1/2″ seam allowance. Press seams open to reduce bulk. Remember to maintain the straight grain along edges.

Baste panels first with pins, clips or tape if needed to hold together during the actual quilting process. Nothing more frustrating than shifting panels while you’re trying to quilt!

Load onto a quilt frame or hoop for those using a domestic/home machine. Briefly, here are pros and cons of each from my trial-and-error process of figuring out what works best for my space and budget:

Quilt Frame:

• ✅Manages thicker quilts better
• ❌ Storage space needed
• ❌ Pricier

Quilting Hoops:

• ✅ Affordable option
• ✅ Easier storage
• ❌ Limited to thinner quilts
• ❌ Can leave hoop imprints on fabric

Final Steps

After all that work, take time to appreciate how gorgeous your quilt back turned out before sandwiching! Once front and back are pinned and secured:

1. Machine or hand quilt as desired
2. Square up edges
3. Binding time! (But that’s a whole other topic)

I hope these tips help you choose the perfect backing fabric for your stunning quilt! What about you? Any favorite go-to backing fabrics I’m missing? Please share your experiences in the comments below!

Here is the FAQ on best quilt backing fabric:

FAQ

1. What is the best fabric to use for a quilt backing?

   Cotton fabrics like muslin or broadcloth make great quilt backings. They’re durable, breathable, and easier to work with than slippery fabrics. Wide backing fabrics that come prepackaged 104″-108″ wide eliminate seams and save time.

2. Should I prewash my quilt backing fabric?

   Prewashing helps the fabric shrink before you make the quilt, preventing later distortion. However, some prepackaged wide backings claim to be “prewashed.” Check the label. When in doubt, launder it yourself before cutting.

3. What’s better – solid or printed quilt backings?

   It depends! Printed fabrics camouflage quilting mistakes nicely. But solids let beautiful quilting stitches pop. Mixing prints and solids can give you the best of both worlds.

4. How do I calculate how much backing fabric I need?

   Basic formula: Take quilt top measurements, add 10″ length and width for handling and quilting. Buy that much fabric. Alternatively, get a wide backing at least 8-12″ wider and longer than quilt top.

5. Can I use bedsheets for quilt backing?

   You can! Fitted sheets work surprisingly well. Flat sheets may require some piecing. Modal or jersey sheets are very soft backings. Always prewash sheets before quilting.

   

6. What’s the best thread color for quilting a solid color backing?

   Neutral! Use a thread close to the fabric color. Off-white or gray blends into most solids cleanly. Remember: the backing shows through quilting stitches.

7. How do I stop quilt backing fabric from shifting while I quilt?

   Proper basting holds backing firmly in place. If working alone, bind edges with quilt clips. For stubborn backings, try temporary fabric glue-spray between layers. Handled gently, glue rubs out later.

8. Can I reuse bedsheets or old clothes for quilt backing?

   Absolutely! Upcycling fabrics saves money and stops textile waste. Blend recycled fabric types for extra interest. Just be sure to wash them thoroughly first to preshrink.