The Complete Guide to Adding Backing to Your Quilt
Whether you’re finishing up your first quilt or your fiftieth, putting on the backing is an essential final step. In this article, I’ll walk you through the entire process of selecting and attaching backing material so your quilt is warm, comfortable and ready to use.
Choosing the Right Backing Fabric
- Cotton is a great basic choice for quilt backing. It’s durable, breathable and washes well over time. I like to use quilting cotton in a solid color.
- Flannel makes for a cozy backing, especially in cooler weather. From my experience, flannel doesn’t wrinkle or shift as much as cotton during washing and drying.
- Fleece is another warm and soft option. It’s a good pick for quilts that will see heavy use.
When selecting backing fabric, consider the quilt’s intended purpose. For example, you may want cotton for a summertime quilt and flannel for one that will stay on the bed year-round. I usually opt for solids that complement the quilt top without competing for attention. Dark colors help conceal stitching mistakes too!
Preparing and Cutting the Backing Fabric
Once you’ve chosen your backing material, it’s time for proper preparation. Wash and dry the fabric before cutting to preshrink it and eliminate possible shrinkage later on. I’ve faced situations where an unpreshrunk backing pulled the quilt out of square during washing.
Cut the backing fabric at least 8 inches wider and longer than your quilt top. This allows for overlap and plenty of fabric to ease around curves and corners during construction. Use a rotary cutter, mat and ruler for accurate, fast cutting.
Assembling and Layering the Quilt Sandwich
Now you’re ready to assemble the quilt sandwich – backing fabric on the bottom, batting in the middle, and quilt top on top. Smoothing and adjusting each layer as you go will result in fewer ripples and bubbles later on. Here are the basic steps:
- Lay the backing fabric right-side down and smooth it out on a large, clean surface like a floor or big table.
- Center the batting on top and smooth it out so it isn’t overly bunched or compressed.
- Place the quilt top right-side up on the batting and backing, making sure all sides and corners are aligned.
- Use pins or spray adhesive to baste the layers together if needed, being careful not to catch the top fabric in your basting.
Adding Excess Backing and Squaring Up the Quilt
Now you’ll attach the excess backing fabric. Fold it over the quilt edges, wrong sides together, so the backing completely encases the layers. To square up the layers and finish:
- Use a ruler to measure and trim the backing and batting flush with the quilt top edges.
- Trim away any remaining overhang, leaving a 1/4 to 1/2 inch seam allowance beyond the quilt top. This will get folded under and hidden when stitching.
Double check that everything is flush and square before finishing it off with quilting! Taking the time for precise squaring really makes your finished quilt look professionally completed.
Quilting and Finishing Touches
Quilting secures the quilt layers together and adds texture, pattern and depth to your finished project. Hand quilting, machine quilting or sending it to a longarm quilter are all great options depending on your skill level and timeline.
Finally, bind your quilt edges to finish and protect them. Binding ties the whole quilt together and establishes a polished look. Sew it on by machine or hand – there are tutorials online to help with whichever method you choose.
And with that, your beautiful backed and quilted masterpiece is complete! Enjoy all the cozy hours of use it will provide. I hope these tips help you put the perfect backing on your next quilt, whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pro seamstress. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Common Questions About Quilt Backing
Q: How wide should I cut my backing fabric?
A: Most quilters recommend cutting the backing 8-10 inches wider and longer than the finished quilt top size. This gives plenty of room to ease in fullness and overlap the edges for finishing.
Q: What if I run out of backing fabric?
A: If your backing fabric comes up a bit short, you can piece another length to complete it. Make sure to reinforce the seam with fray check or an overlapped seam to prevent pulling apart over time. Extend the new piece at least 4 inches beyond the seam line.
Q: Can I use two different fabrics for my quilt backing?
A: Sure, piecing multiple fabrics can work well for backing. Just be sure any seams will be covered by the quilt layers when finished. A stripe, plaid or other small print blended with a solid is another cute backing combination. Get creative!
Q: Will my quilt be warm with flannel or fleece backing?
A: Absolutely, flannel and fleece make wonderful warm quilt backings. The thick, fuzzy texture traps body heat while still allowing breathability. For extra coziness in a cold bedroom, I’d recommend either of those materials over a basic cotton. Your quilt will keep you toasty!
I hope this guide has helped answer your questions about putting a backing on a quilt. Please let me know if any part of the process is still unclear. Happy quilting!
Backing Options for Your Quilt
| Material | Weight | Durability | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton batting | Light | Moderate | $ |
| Wool batting | Heavier | High | $$ |
| Fleece batting | Light | Moderate | $$ |
| Synthetic batting | Varied | High | $$-$$$ |
| No-sew fleece | Light | Low | $-$$ |
FAQ
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What materials do I need to put a backing on a quilt?
Basically you’ll need some type of fabric for the backing. Cotton is a pretty typical choice since it’s breathable and sturdy. You’ll also need quilt batting to add some fluff between the backing and top fabrics. And don’t forget the pins or quilt basting spray to temporarily hold everything together!
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How big should I cut the backing fabric?
As a general rule, the backing fabric should be about 8 inches wider and longer than the quilt top. This gives you plenty of excess to fold under the edges and helps prevent puckering. Cut it the same size as your batting. On the other hand, you don’t want to cut it too big or you’ll have a lot of extra fabric to deal with later.
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Should I press the backing fabric before using it?
It’s a good idea to press the backing fabric before laying it out under your quilt top. This helps remove any creases or wrinkles so your backing lays nice and flat. You might be kind of amazed at how much smoother and nicer it looks after a quick ironing. Just be sure not to use too hot of a setting since you don’t want to shrink your fabric.
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What’s the best way to layer the backing, batting and top?
Most quilters find the pinning method works pretty well for layering. Place the backing fabric wrong side up on your work surface. Lay the batting on top covering the backing fabric edges. Then place the quilt top right side up with the edges aligned and pin baste around the perimeter to hold it together. This allows you to easily adjust or smooth things out as needed before final basting and quilting.
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How do I finish the raw edges of the backing?
To prevent fraying, you’ll want to finish the raw edges of the backing fabric. The simplest way is to fold them under about 1/4 inch and press. Alternatively, you could serge or zigzag stitch the edges. However, if the quilt is big that might take forever. On the other hand, you could try using quilt binding to cover the raw edges – it looks professional and neatly encases the backing fabric.
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Is there a trick to get the backing fabric smooth?
One technique is to spray a thin layer of quilt basting spray on the back of the quilt top before putting the three layers together. This helps “glue” the backing fabric in place so it doesn’t shift around when you’re smoothing and evening things out. You could also try rolling the surface with a rolling pin to flatten out any bumps or wrinkles. Apparently some folks even iron the backing fabric right on the quilt layers – but that might damage the delicate piecing on your quilt top.
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Once it’s quilted, how do I finish the raw edges of the backing?
After quilting, you’ll want to finish those raw edges again before binding. Folding and pressing is simple but serging is probably the best method. It neatly wraps the edges in thread to prevent fraying without bulk. Strong stitching around the perimeter with matching thread could work in a pinch. But honestly the best approach might be using bias tape or double-fold binding to wrap around the entire quilt – it looks absolutely stunning and is super durable in the wash.