Everything You Need to Know About the Back of a Quilt
If you’re searching for information on the “back of quilt,” you likely have questions about one or more aspects of this important quilt element. As any quilter knows, the back is just as essential as the front design in creating a finished, quality quilt. In this article, I’ll address some of the main intentions a user might have in researching the back of a quilt.
Why is the Back Important?
The back serves several crucial functions in a quilt:
- It encloses and protects the quilt layers and filling.
- It provides structural support and stability to the quilt.
- It helps prevent the layers from shifting over time.
- It allows the quilt to be safely washed and handled without damaging the front design.
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In short, a well-made, sturdy back is essential for the long-term care and usability of any quilt. From my experience quilting, I’ve seen quilts with subpar backs lose their shape or have layers shift more quickly over multiple wash/dry cycles.
What Fabric Works Best?
There are a few main options for back fabric:
- Cotton quilting fabric: A tightly-woven 100% cotton is the standard choice. It’s durable and washes well.
- Flannel: The napped texture helps the layers cling together securely. Good for quilts that will see a lot of use.
- Other quilting cottons: Fabric blends like cotton/polyester also work well if they have a similar weave/hand as 100% cotton.
In general, firmly-woven, medium-heavyweight fabrics (such as quilting cottons) make the strongest quilt backs. Loosely-woven or very lightweight material could overly stretch or tear over time with standard quilt use.
How Much do I Need?
When determining back fabric quantities, it’s important to allow enough excess fabric. As a general guideline, plan on the back being about 12 inches wider than the quilt top on all sides. For example, if your quilt top is 60″ x 80″, cut the back fabric to 84″ x 102″.
This allows for plenty of fabric when sewing the layers together and binding. It also accounts for slight stretching that may occur over multiple wash/dry cycles after the quilt is completed. Cutting the back too small is a common mistake and can lead to pulling or distortion later on.
Preparing and Assembling the Back
Once you’ve selected your back fabric, some preparation steps are recommended:
- Preshrink the fabric by washing and drying it before starting your quilt.
- Straighten the grain lines by truing up one edge with a long ruler.
- Remove wrinkles and press the fabric smooth using a warm, dry iron.
When layering and basting the quilt sandwich, lay the pressed backing fabric wrong-side up, smoothing out any wrinkles. Then add the batting and quilt top, being careful not to shift the layers as you baste them together. Proper basting is key for a well-constructed back that lies flat.
Backs With Designs
While solid-colored backs are most common, there’s no reason the backside can’t have its own unique design too. Consider these options:
- Printed fabric with a subtle pattern
- Piecework quilt blocks arranged randomly on the back
- Free-motion quilting or embroidery adding visual interest
Just be sure any embellishments won’t cause the backing fabric to distort or lose strength over time with regular usage and washing of the finished quilt.
Binding the Back Edge
Once the quilt top, batting and backing are all quilted together, the final step is attaching the binding. Proper attachment of the backing binding helps prevent edge fraying and ensures the back fabric won’t come loose later on.
There are different methods, but generally you’ll want to: fold the excess back fabric to the front, pin it in place, then stitch it down as you attach each side of the binding. A few stitches through all layers further secures it.
With a sturdy, well-constructed back you’ve taken the proper steps to prepare – from fabric selection to assembly and finishing – your quilt is set up for long-lasting beauty and function.
I hope this comprehensive guide has addressed any questions you may have had about working with the backside of your quilt projects. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional queries.
Key Considerations When Choosing Backing for a Quilt
| Material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Inexpensive, breathable, washes well | Can shrink or fade over time if not prewashed |
| Flannel | Soft, cozy texture, washes well | May pill or fray after multiple wash/dry cycles |
| Fusible fleece | Won’t shift layers when quilting, adds loft | Can be stiff, may melt if ironed directly |
| batting scraps | Free material if you have leftovers | May not provide even coverage or insulation |
| Water-resistant fabric | Protects layers from moisture | May be stiff, less breathable than other options |
| Flannel-backed vinyl | Durable, easy to clean surface | Plastic-like texture and hand, not environmentally friendly |
FAQ
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What is a back of quilt?
A back of quilt is basically the backside material that goes on the reverse side of a quilt. It helps keep the batting and quilt layers warm and stops any batting from poking through to the front.
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What materials are used for the back of a quilt?
Quilt backs can use all kinds of materials. Cotton is a really popular choice because it’s breathable and washes well. Some other options include flannel, linen, corduroy – basically any fabric that’s supple enough to lie flat. I even saw someone use old jeans once! You want something that will last through lots of washings.
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How big should the back material be?
It’s best to cut the back material at least 4 inches wider and longer than the layers above so you have plenty of fabric to fold to the front for the binding. “Measure twice, cut once,” as they say! You don’t wanna be short.
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Should the back be one single piece or multiple pieces?
Either way works well. A single piece looks neat but multiple pieces allows you to use scraps more easily. I’ve found that as long as the seams are clipped and pressed flat, you can’t even tell where pieces meet on the back. So don’t stress too much about using scraps – go for it!
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What’s the best way to attach the back?
The most common method is to baste the back panel securely to the quilt layers using long stitches of thread or safety pins all around. This holds it in place while you work on the binding. Some quilters say glue basting works too but I’d be nervous getting that messy! Basting gives you room for mistakes.
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Should I add anything for support?
You may want to consider adding a layer of lightweight batting between the back and quilt layers for some added cushion and support, especially if the back fabric is thin. But it’s not totally necessary if the back fabric is fairly substabtial already. Depends on your materials and personal preference!
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Any tips for attaching the binding?
When you start sewing the binding to the front, fold the back fabric over to meet it and continue attaching all the way around. This encloses the back fabric neatly in the binding. Take your time and it’ll look awesome!