A Comprehensive Guide to Backing Your Quilts
Whether you’re a quilting newbie or a seasoned pro, choosing the right backing fabric for your quilts is an important decision. There are several factors to consider like weight, material, and longevity. In this article, I’ll cover all the options and provide tips based on my own experiences to help you pick out backing that suits your needs.
Weight
The weight or density of the fabric is one of the biggest factors that will impact how your finished quilt feels. Lighter weight fabrics like muslin or quilt batting won’t provide as much heft and insulation as heavier fabrics do. From my experience, quilts that are primarily for indoor decorative use can get away with lighter backing. But if you want something cozy for the couch or bed, go with a medium or heavyweight option.
- Lightweight (less than 4 oz/yd2) – ideal for wall hangings, summer quilts
- Medium weight (4-6 oz/yd2) – works well for most quilts, provides decent loft
- Heavyweight (6+ oz/yd2) – best for quilts used as blankets, quite weighty and warm
Material
When it comes to material, cotton is kind of the default staple backing choice for most folks. It’s durable, breathable, and washes well over time. Honestly though, I’ve heard of quilters using basically anything – kinda like how grandma might’ve used an old sheet! Here are some common backing materials:
- Cotton – classic, breathable
- Flannel – cozy softness, some thicker options
- Fleece – super cozy and snuggly, but may pill or lint over washes
- Microfiber – soft and budget-friendly, less breathable than natural fibers
- Satin or Silk – elegant drape but can be slippery, expensive
At the same time, I’ve seen some crazy quilts backed with novelty prints, old jeans, even duct tape! Get creative if you want a one-of-a-kind backing. But for durability, natural fabrics tend to go the distance better in my experience.
size
When selecting backing fabrics, you’ll want to obtain a size that provides plenty of excess material to neatly wrap around and encase the batting and quilt layers. Most quilt patterns recommend getting backing that is at least 8 inches wider and longer than the quilt top. This gives you room for error and ensures a tidy professional finish. Proper sizing prevents tucked edges or puckering – no one wants to see your batting, right? From my experience, sewing backing together is like dealing with an extra-large sheet set, so go big or go home!
Longevity
Obviously, you want your finished quilt to withstand years of washing and cuddling without pilling, fading, or falling apart at the seams. Some fabrics straight up last longer than others based on their composition. Cottons and other natural fibers tend to have better durability in the long haul compared to synthetics in my experience. However, even the hardiest materials can break down faster with rough handling. To maximize the lifespan of your backing fabric:
- Select a tightly woven fabric with minimal worn or fuzzy areas
- Wash on a gentle cycle in cold water to prevent excess wear and tear
- Line dry instead of putting in the dryer whenever possible
- Store folded or rolled when not in use to avoid creases wearing through the fibers
Following these tips should help your backing fabric last for many snuggle sessions to come, fam! With proper care, I’ve seen cotton quilts that are decades old still going strong.
Other Considerations
A few other random factors may influence your backing fabric choice. For example, if you want the back of the quilt to look nice as well instead of just functional, consider a coordinating or contrasting print. You could also use two or more fabrics pieced together for visual interest. As for storage, solid colors are arguably easier to fold without the print causing bulky creases. Lastly, think about how you plan to clean or spot treat any spills – some fabrics launder better than others.
Hope this overview hit on all the key points, friend! Let me know if you have any other quilting questions rollin’ around in that brain of yours. Proper backing is definitely important, so I’d say it’s worth investing extra time to pick out the right fabric for your specific project. Feel free to reference this guide whenever you need a backing refresher in the future. Happy quilting!
Real-World Application
To give you an idea of backing choices in action, here’s a quick example from one of my own quilts. I was making a full-size quilt as a wedding gift for a cousin. Since I knew it would get lots of use, I chose a heavyweight flannel fabric with a subtle blue and gray plaid pattern. Being nice and thick, I knew it offered great coziness and durability. At the time all the flannels at the fabric store seemed rather expensive, so I kept my eyes peeled and managed to find a decent yardage of the print on clearance at Joanns. Score! Several years later, that quilt is still going strong with no signs of pilling or wear. Moral of the story – consider function over fashion, and you can sometimes save some dough too. Not too shabby!
Reader Questions
I hope this info helped provide some answers to your questions about backing fabrics. Before wrapping up, let me know if you have any other thoughts running through your mind. Like, what if you already started your quilt but dislike the backing you chose? Is that worthy of a rip-out, or can it be salvaged somehow? Or maybe you’re stressing about all the extra fabric prep – any tricks to managing those unwieldy yards? No question is too basic or complex, so feel free to let me know your other quilting conundrums!
In the meantime, thanks for reading – I enjoyed geeking out on this quilting topic with a fellow crafting comrade. Whether you’re new to the hobby or a veritable “quilt queen”, may your backing fabric choices bring you many cozy projects to come. Happy quilting, friend! Don’t be a stranger, and let me know if you need any other quilting advice or encouragement down the road.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Backing for Your Quilt
| Backing Material | Weight | Washing Instructions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | From light muslin to heavier quilting cotton | Machine wash and dry | Most traditional choice, breathable |
| Flannel | Light to medium weight | Machine wash, tumbler dry low | Soft texture, warmth without bulk |
| Fleece | Medium to heavy weight | Machine wash, tumbler dry low | Very warm, minimal quilting needed |
| Satin | Light to medium weight | Dry clean or delicate cycle, lay flat to dry | Luxury feel, shows quilting details |
| Batting/wadding only | Varies by material | Check manufacturer instructions | Lightest option, less durable long-term |
FAQ
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What sort of backing do quilts require?
Quilts generally need some type of firm backing to provide structure. The most regularly utilized backings are cotton or polyester fabrics.
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Is batting necessary between the quilt layers?
Padding is truly essential for quilts to be comfy and fluffy. Fiberfill or polyester batting goes inside between the top layers and backing to add bulk. Without any stuffing, a quilt would be kind of flat.
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How do you attach the backing, batting, and quilt top?
Generally, the usual method is to tack or stitch the backing wrong sides together with the batting in the middle. Next, the top gets pinned or basted over it before the full sandwich gets sewn all the way around. On the other hand, some quilters prefer to stitch each layer to the subsequent one.
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What size should the backing material be?
It’s best if the backing piece extends around 6-8 inches past the quilt top on all sides. That extra fabric gets folded over and secured to the back during finishing so the backing fully encloses the batting and top layers. Surprisingly, leaving some excess makes construction less nerve-wracking.
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Is muslin a good choice for backing?
Muslin functions well as being a cheap option for backing. It’s very sturdy and washes nicely. Nevertheless, the plain white color might not jive with a colorful or patterned quilt top. Cotton or flannel fabrics present extra colors and textures that can better match the appearance. In the end, any firmly woven fabric will get the position done.
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Do I need to quilt the backing layers?
It’s not completely necessary, but it absolutely helps anchor all the quilt elements jointly and prevents shifting. Quilting the backing with straight lines or a simple grid pattern maintains it fastened securely to the batting beneath. However, delicate hand-quilting all the way through could possibly be overwhelming on a big quilt!