I have a question about backing material

I see no reason why a horizontal seam would be structurally less sound than a vertical one, but I would use a slightly more generous seam allowance than 1/4". TANQP

Lizzy

Yeah, what Lizzy said. Also, no matter how tempted you are to leave the selvedges, don't do it. They will shrink/pull a little or a lot. I have seen some otherwise nice patterns for heirloom baby gowns that encouraged cutting the opening with the selvedge so the facing wouldn't have to be finished. Bad idea. Polly

"Lizzy Taylor" <

i've done a few with horizontal seams, but have learned to quilt them turning the whole sandwich on it's side. then the quilt doesn't pucker as much. amy in CNY

Thanks gals, horizontal seam it will be with selvages removed! I appreciate your help. Donna

I thought that advice was for quilts that will be hanging vertically - basically show quilts, or wall hangings I guess, I think it's to avoid sagging.

I've seen instructions to make quilters width fabric into a wider backing with diagonal seams. I have friends who piece every scrap left from the front into the back - no one has complained of it causing a problem.

So I guess it depends on what you are planning to do with the quilt.

Cheers Anne

If you are having it "long-armed" you might be wise to check with your quilter. At least some long-armers do not like vertically seamed backings, because then the seam makes a ridge in the rolled up quilt. I may not have explained it well, so just check with your quilter...

Julia > I'm in the process of making a 'scrappy' quilt. I have enough backing

Thanks Julia....I'm going to quilt this myself, so that won't be a problem. I appreciate your insight though and will remember that for ones I send out. Donna

IMO it has to do with how you might usually fold the quilt. One of the folds often goes down the middle in each direction.

If you have enough fabric, you might c>I'm in the process of making a 'scrappy' quilt. I have enough backing

I've done horizontal seams, in fact, on a quilt I use and wash often. Looks great after many washings. Go for it!

Sherry

Thanks for mentioning the (ultimate) folding of the quilt. For that reason, I suggest the horizontal seam be off center if possible. FWIW, my QOV Bee uses the horizontal seam on 99% of the quilts we make. We remove the selvedges and use a wider seam, backstitching here and there. The long arm quilters are fine with this. In fact, the long arm quilters here usually set the project into the frame so the backing seam is a bit off center, if the size allows, unless there is a design consideration. We wash finished quilts and they wash up nicely. We make sturdy quilts, so are confident they will hold up in use. HTH. Pat in Virginia PS: I have never used the diagonal seam method in the Flynn site. Any comments from the crew here?

I've used Flynn's diagonal seam quite often. It works especially well when your backing is just a few inches too narrow, as it really is a fabric saver there. He has a formula for calculating the amount of fabric you need. I put the formula in a spread sheet, so all I have to do is enter the length and width of my quilt and the width of my backing fabric.

Julia > IMO it has to do with how you might usually fold the quilt. One of the

I often use a horizontal seam on quilts less than 72" long because two widths of fabric are a perfect fit. I do not remove the salvage until the seam has been sewn. The salvage makes it easier to match the edges. I sew a one inch seam then trim off the salvage and press the seam allowance flat. The salvages on the top and bottom are cut off after quilting when the backing is trimmed.

Susan

Ive just cut a backing using the Flynn method, but to make it even wider I'm inserting a strip of blocks made with the left over pieces from the front. Seems to be working ok, and it looks planned.

I was a bit scared when I cut the diagonal, but it works beautifully.

Method is at:

Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~uk

Roberta wrote:

Excellent, Susan. Trimming afterwards certainly would make matching as well as seriously stabilizing good, good. I can remember that. Polly

"Susan Laity Price" I often use a horizontal seam on quilts less than 72" long because two

Donna, if it's going to be quilted on a frame, it's much BETTER to have a horizontal seam. A vertical seam rolls over and over on itself and creates uneven tension. Another thing to try is John Flynn's diagonal method. Nothing rolls on itself or folds on itself. It usually saves a little fabric, too. The formula looks a little complicated, but I have a spreadsheet that you just plug backing length and width into. I'd be glad to email it to you (or anyone) if you'd like .

--Heidi

Thanks Sally for sharing this link. Barbara in SC

Yes,I will share. I've got it in .123 format. I assume you probably want .xls, so I'll convert it for you. Hopefully it will convert correctly.

Julia > And are we sharing "our" spread sheet?