Thinking about backings and variegated thread

I'm doing the mindless task of adding logs to log cabin blocks. They are all cut to size, so no thinking required. This is a bed sized quilt designed to practice the feather quilting method in the book "Hooked on Feathers". Then it will reside on my bed.

I was pondering the thread to quilt this one. I love variegated thread for the quilting, but I have reached a conclusion that I love some color combinations but don't like the light/dark factor. If I am quilting on a darker fabric the lighter areas show up and the darker areas disappear. The opposite happens on lighter fabrics. I have decided I like threads that are all about the same- all darker colors or all lighter colors- within the color changes.

Then I started thinking what I'd use for the backing. I have always used a fabric that I used in the blocks or the border- a pretty backing that matches the front of the quilt. But why should I spend the money for LQS quality fabric for the backing? Nobody but me sees the backing- and very few will see the front, either! LOL My bed quilts are washed to death in a year or two courtesy of The HairyButt Gang and them sleeping on my bed.

I am just about decided to purchase the cheapest muslin I can find for the backing. Maybe even a poly/cotton blend! The reason is cheap 100% cotton muslin sometimes looks just awful after it's laundered and a poly cotton has some permanent press and generally is less wrinkled after washing. The cheap stuff will surely last as long as the front will last before it's worn out from being washed.

I'm feeling like a rebel! ;-)

Leslie & The Furbabies in 'finally thawing out' MO.

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.
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Nobody but me sees the backing- and very

Your mama would probably appreciate that comment. I think I would go for a sheet because at least it is all one piece. Target has some nice basic ones that you can buy in separates in a good variety of colors and price is good. Taria

Reply to
Taria

If you want to simplify your life a hair, plain muslin comes in 90" and 120" widths as well as the narrower......and can be bought places like Joanns and Hobby Lobby, doesn't need to be LQS muslin.

I'm a firm believer in it. It's classic, timeless....and while I have--and have made--quilts with other fabrics on the back, I pretty much restrict that nowadays to quilts that just demand it---or baby quilts, which *do* get both sides seen and used on a regular basis.

--pig

Reply to
Megan Zurawicz

My mama is finally realizing that at age 59 I am old enough to make my own decisions without a need (or want) for her approval or comments. ;-)

But then again- I generally post pics of finished quilts, so who knows how many thousands of folks may see my quilt laid out on my bed? VBEG I don't have enough room any where else in my house to take the pic!

Cheap muslin comes as wide as 120 in., so that may be cheaper than a sheet, but I will compare prices on both- thanks.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.

I have a log cabin Christmas tree skirt ready to be quilted and was thinking of doing 'hooked' feathers too. STID on those logs may be more appropriate but I figure would bore me to death before the first block was stitched. Are you sure the Quilt Police won't come after the both of us? Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

Use the variegated thread in the bobbin and you'll have a whole cloth of feathers. Gen

Reply to
Gen

Beware very cheap sheets from very cheap shops! - I used one and it had faded in patches before the quilt was finished. Perhaps I can call it 'hand-dyed' and everyone will think how clever I am. Now when I use a sheet it comes from the store I usually buy bed linen from. A good plain sheet comes in lots of lovely colours and is surprisingly cheap and often in the Sales. I made a lovely bright red Christmas tablecloth from one. When I am sick of it it will become a backing.

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

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Taria wrote:

Reply to
Sally Swindells

Yeah, well my mama is almost 10 years outta this life and I still laugh and think of things she would or wouldn't say. That doesn't mean anyone paid much heed but still I would have her in my thoughts if I had an unlimited amount of folks wandering through my bedroom. She and her sister would probably have some sick interest in looking down though. They were really wacky. lol I miss them both a lot. I think virtual doesn't count though so your pics are good. The roc-lon muslin that Joann's sells is good stuff. I don't think I would go for the really cheapo gauzy stuff though. Looking forward to seeing it whatever back it gets.

I think I hear the quilt police siren headed Polly's way. Taria

Reply to
Taria

Has anyone ever considered quilting a pattern of various types of drums on a log cabin quilt?

Then when someone asks you what that's supposed to be, you can tell them it's a log o' rhythm.

--pig, ducking

Reply to
Megan Zurawicz

Oh man, Megan/Piggy! I can absolutely see Polly doing your log o' rhythm!

I won't. Actually I just got bored with the pretty pastels in my mint green and lavender-y purple log cabin blocks and switched to a very unique modified Rail Fence quilt I designed for my Laurel Burch's Song of The Sea (?) line of fabrics. Wild bright colors to cheer me up on a dismal winter day. ;-)

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.- getting ready to start stitching 47 sets of six 1.5 in. strips.... b-o-r-i-n-g! LOL

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.

Love it! (but then I would wouldn't I? >gHas anyone ever considered quilting a pattern of various types of drums on a

Reply to
Patti

Reply to
Roberta

Reply to
Roberta

I usually use the RocLon muslin for backings (from Joann's), but this year I have found that the quality has gone down hill! I found some Kona muslin and was able to buy some with a coupon, so now I am totally spoiled!

Susan quilting as usual

Reply to
Susan Torrens

My 2-cents' worth about backing fabric is that I NEVER use the cheap stuff! I want the backing to be equal in quality and durability as the front of any quilt. My thinking is that I put a lot of time and effort into a quilt, and I don't want to need to put a new backing on down the road. Cheap muslin is great for Halloween costumes, and that is about it.

Reply to
Mary

But the reasoning is that my bed quilts just don't last very long with the dogs on them. The back of the quilt gets no wear and the quilt top will only last a year or two.... and I make simple quilts for my bed- no sense making a masterpiece when I know it's doomed to a short life....

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.

When it's time for bed, turn the quilts over so the pups dont ruin the "pretty" side. did that for a long time. works pretty well.

amy in CNY (who has used both cheap and better muslin for backing and likes LQS fabric the best)

Reply to
amy in CNY

Amy, the dogs wander in and sleep on the bed off and on during the day. And I wouldn't want to have the hair, etc. against my blankets if I turned the quilt over. I've tried about everything with my many years of dog ownership- including covering the quilt with an old sheet but then I can't see the quilt and my room looks messy all the time. Replacing the worn out quilts works for me- and I get to redecorate the room every year or so. Keeps my little blonde brain from getting bored! LOL

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

When it's time for bed, turn the quilts over so the pups dont ruin the "pretty" side. did that for a long time. works pretty well.

amy in CNY (who has used both cheap and better muslin for backing and likes LQS fabric the best)

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.

Leslie, I hear ya on the need for reasonable backing fabric - I've been making a lot of quilts lately that serve no purpose whatsoever, so I am never sure where they will end up and so how much $$ to put into it.

I've had really good luck with these "tonal" backs from Fabric.com:

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NAYY..

They come in lots of colors, and at 6.98/yd for 108" width, it's a great price. They are really stiff - which I like, because the backing "lays down" then and is easier to baste.

-Tina in Sowal.

Reply to
TinaR

Hi Leslie,

I appreciate your thinking on the backings. I don't see why you couldn't use a poly-cotton blend. When I was a newbie quilter, I used poly-cotton blends in the blocks, and have had no problems with the quilt. I suppose the worst thing that could happen is that top being all cotton might continue to shrink a tiny bit, but it would just make the poly-cotton back look a bit more puckery. Shouldn't be a problem.

I for one would not use cheap muslin unless you have a full-proof way of getting it flat again after washing. I did this once, and never could iron all of the wrinkles out of it. Otherwise, it would be fine.

I've been buying my backing from fabric.com. 108" backing for 6.98/yd. No, it's not the caliber of the $14/yd stuff, but it's okay.

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Best regards, Michelle in Nevada

Reply to
Michelle C.

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