1. Home
  2. Quilting Forum
  3. Backing/Binding: Will this work? (long)

Backing/Binding: Will this work? (long)

Recently I posted that one shouldn't buy backing material until the final size of the top was known. I really oughtta take my own darn advice! I finished the top of a raffle quilt; a kid/stack-n-whack with a Seminole border; I'll MQ it w/ Warm-n-Natural batting. Then I made the backing--and it is *exactly* the length of the top (95" give or take a wiggle.) DAGNABIT!

I've always had backings extend several inches beyond the top.But how much of it actually gets consumed in the quilting? Is it possible that the top and bottom will get consumed at the same rate so the backing will in fact be big enough? Would it work to simply lay it out, quilt it, and then if I"m an inch or 2 or 3 short at the top and/or bottom (the sides are fine), could I just make the binding that wide on the back? That would look best, I think. It's so DARN close that I don't want to add a strip of some other fabric because it'll look wonky and, with that Seminole border, I don't want another seam right under it if I can help it. I could add a 10" strip to top and bottom (by shortening the intended backing cloth) so it would look more deliberate---weird, but deliberate. Another lesson in humility....

As always, your thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated!

Dogmom

Reply to
dogmom
Loading thread data ...
  1. Is it a whole cloth type backing, no piecework? You could try adding a center strip/panel to the center of the backing fabric, either the same or coordinating sort of piece work which would be a simple focal point and look like you planned it. You don't have to put it on the edges.

  1. Buy more fabric for this quilt backing and save what you have for another.

Either way, be sure to eat lots of chocolate for a few days while you think about it.

kitty in phx

Reply to
KittyG

I once hand quilted a smallish quilt that I only basted lightly. This was before I started listening to more experienced quilters. I cut the back about the same size as the front (about an inch bigger on each side). By the time I had finished quilting, the backing had either shifted or shrunk so that one side was about an inch shorter than the front! I tried hand sewing a strip the same colour to the back in order to extend it far enough, but it looks messy. I can't bear to work on it so I still haven't put the binding on.

My advice would be to save the backing you have for another project and buy some more fabric for this one. Sewing strips to your present backing may work, if you basted thoroughly and were careful about sandwiching it together accurately. Otherwise it may be crooked and look untidy.

Rowena, Brisbane.

Reply to
RLW

When I made my DD's quilt (my second). The backing was barely 1/2" larger than the front. As it turned out, the backing shrunk while quilting. No worries....I added a wide faced binding and all was fine.

My LQS has sales 2-3 times a year with fabric up to 70% off. I am always buying 6 meter lengths to put aside for backings. I figure I have enough backings to last me the next 5-6 years.

Reply to
C. Carroll

Hullo Rowena This is such a pity, that you can't finish your quilt. How about this, as something you could do which wouldn't look too bad:

Sew a strip of necessary width to the edge that needs it, in a different

- toning or contrasting colour; when you know how wide that will be, cut two (or more?) further strips of the same width (plus seam allowance), and appliqué them to the opposite side and to the centre, so that the back looks as if it has three stripes down it. The two appliqué ones are redundant, but no-one will know that, will they?! you could put another two between them, but it wouldn't be needed. . In article , RLW writes

Reply to
Patti

There's some sort of rule that if you have plenty of leeway, you won't need it, but if it's precisely the right size, the quilt WILL slip a bit during quilting.

I like Pati's idea of the diagonal insert -it would look exciting! IMO, the insert piece should also be cut diagonally so the backing won't stretch in odd ways while you baste and quilt. But if you don't want to or have nothing suitable on hand, it's OK to make the binding extra-wide. BTDT. Of course, make it the same width all around, not just at the ends. It's easier that way! Roberta in D

Reply to
Roberta Zollner

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.