For many, the backing fabric of a quilt is where things get tricky. For quilts that hang the lengthwise grain running from top to bottom stabilizes the quilt so it doesn't stretch overtime. Help! It comes in widths from 108″ to 120″, and that means you don’t usually need to seam it. That is for both fabrics, the original backing and the fabric you are adding. Wide Backs. That way you are guaranteed to have enough backing and batting for your machine quilting project. Use our quilt backing fabric calculator to determine the perfect amount of fabric for backing your quilt. When was the last time you showed a friend how great your quilt back looked? I admit it. ...and here for Christmas quilt patterns. Copyright © 2008-2021 Generation Quilt Patterns, LLC, Exactly the answer to my problem and expertly explained. The backing should be 8" larger in each direction for longarm machine quilting. If you are using wide quilt backing then purchase enough so that you can orient the backing correctly for this scenario. If it uses up extra fabric and/or blocks left over from the front of quilt. Joann Fabric and Crafts . Measure the short side of your quilt to determine how much … As long as your quilt is 100″ in length, using a 108″ piece for backing should work for you! That means add 8" to the width and 8" to the length and cut your backing and batting fabric to those dimensions. I am sure several of us have done that before. You can prove this to yourself by rolling up a magazine with the cover to the inside. Free Shipping on domestic orders $49+ and free returns. When loaded properly there should be 4" of batting extending on either side of the quilt top. Pieced backings, on the other hand, are made by piecing together smaller sized fabrics until they’re large enough for use as a quilt backing. Now you have plenty of room at the top, bottom and sides for machine quilting without the worry of the backing being too short and hitting the pins that are connecting your backing fabric to the roller. Quilt backing is the bottom layer of a quilt sandwich. Otherwise it's just a quilt top. Personally, I add even more—usually about 6" to each side. BE SURE TO USE A THREAD COLOR MATCHING THE BATTING COLOR. More people than ever are learning how to make their very own quilts at home. What you’d do, is have the 115 cm piece of fabric in the centre, then you’d cut 2 strips of fabric 43 cms wide and join onto each side of the centre 115cm piece. How long is the quilt because each wrap creates more thickness as it rolls the backing to the outside. We start off this video with examples of good and bad backing choices.Go to your fabric stash and make a selection. I did this by stitching as I rolled the cart about 6 inches at a time down the length of the rollers...LOL . They are often not quite the right size, making the task something of a hassle as you join and stitch fabrics together in order to complete the final stage of your quilting project. That way you are guaranteed to have enough backing and batting for your machine quilting project. When ordering on our website we sell fabric by the YARD or HALF YARD. Because quilt fabric is not wide enough to fit most bed quilt sizes, it is necessary to piece the back. This is way easier than trying to trim to the same length later. If you ever have to do this be sure to mark the right and left sides of the backing where it is located on the leader. Brand New Extra Wide Prints (16) Extra Wide Prints (83) Extra Wide Batiks (14) Queen Size Quilt Backings (43) Extra Wide Remnants (3) Kaffe Fassett/ Tula Pink Backing Fabrics (18) Calico & Sheeting, Extra Wide (21) Fleece 60" (150cm) Wide (35) 428 Products . Not enough backing fabric! Check out our backing tips for design ideas, longarm tutorials, and more! Remember the 8" of width would be centered with 4" showing on each side. You may have enough fabric to use several pieces for the additional backing piece, be sure to square it up as your are piecing everything together. These fabrics are usually 108" wide and are often much simpler in design than the fabrics for the front of the quilt. 3 Things will effect how much batting and backing is taken up as it rolls around the take-up roller. If you are short on fabric and need to piece it together to make it big enough There are also special wide backing fabrics that most quilt shops carry. This backing is 108" wide; 100% cotton quilting fabric; Perfect for one piece quilt backs; Sort By Newest Items. All fabrics are 100% cotton, 104 inches, 106 inches, 108 inches or more. Wide back fabrics are usually 108” wide. Quilting Board Quilting Tools Quilting Tutorials Machine Quilting Quilting Projects Quilting Designs Quilting Ideas Crazy Quilting Longarm Quilting. Quilt Backing Fabric. Plus there was very little fabric to hold on to since I was nearly at the bottom. The quilt backs are then pieced as follows: BASIC PIECING USING 45 INCH WIDE FABRIC. I didn't know everything - not even close! Quilts are only considered a quilt if it has three layers, the bottom layer being the back. To determine the minimum size needed, add 4" to each side of your quilt top measurements. And if you want to hide the knots on the back, use backing fabric that blends with the bobbin thread. Home / Quilt Backing Fabric. Use the same measurements for your batting. Saved by Jeanne Sharretts. Fold both the quilt top and quilt back in quarters. If you have little to no spare time on your hands or if you want to get the quilt done as soon as possible, then you won’t have to create one yourself. You can piece it for many reasons and here are just a few: If you don’t wish to purchase wide backing fabric. I recommend if you have zippers, unzip the quilt and sew the pinned backing pieces together. That's for two reasons: I use the excess to wrap around to the top to protect the raw edges from the in and out from under the needle. What do you do when the quilt backing is cut too short? How To Hide Knots On The Backing Fabric... Extra Wide Quilt backs to make your quilting easier. How much piecing is in the body of the quilt which adds additional thickness from the seam margins. I thought I knew "enough" about most topics related to quilting and quilt fabric. They can be made from large cuts of coordinating fabric (such as 44″-wide quilting cotton ) that are stitched together to fit your quilt, or they can be cut down from 90″ or 108″ cuts of quilting cotton that are specially designed for backing large projects. Then there is the matter of how to piece batting together when it is cut too short? Making your quilt sandwich is arguably the single most important step for success when backing a quilt with minky fabric. Ask your local quilt shop to stock wide back fabrics or shop online. - Page 2. try to add differnent fabric the quilt on top and botton then it will look like that is the way you wanted it. Next cut both layers at the same time in a shallow serpentine wave, discarding the outer edges. (Of course, when in doubt, talk to your longarm quilter!) For my “Prismatic Star” quilt the backing fabric was not wide enough by itself so I made up the extra inches with a set of stripes using the remaining 2.5 inch strips that I used for the front pattern. . Please note, we will cut the fabric as ONE continuous piece unless otherwise specified in the comments at checkout.) Many also carry home decorating fabric for curtains, drapes, and bedding, as well as extra-wide backing fabric used for making quilts. Here is what I found that would help keep the quilt squared up and the backing long enough. You all know the rule. We are participants in Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and related sites. Sally Terry Designs began in 1999, instructing machine quilting, quilting for others, authoring books, and helping all piecers and quilters with creative patterns, techniques and classes they love. Notice how the serpentine seams would be less noticeable under a the quilt top fabric. It can also be way more cost effective than piecing backings when your quilt is large enough. Pin the two outside corners and then pin the centers together and pin in between as needed. The one thing you can do, to make sure the backing fabric is not too short, is measure the quilt top and add 8" to each dimension. I press them open and use a shorter—1.5mm—stitch length to piece them. Fingers crossed, deep breath...it worked. First seam is overlapped toghter and zigzagged, second is larger zigzag with edges butted together, third is tailor tacking by hand with pulled schredded edges to reduce bulk. What other topics would you be interested in? Measure and cut the additional backing fabric you are adding at the same exact width. When I baste the quilt, I am careful to gently stretch the minky just a tiny bit and tape it in place on my floor (or you can use tables for easier accessibility if you have one large enough). That means add 8" to the width and 8" to the length and cut your backing and batting fabric to those dimensions. More information... People also love these ideas. Find Quilt Backing and Extra Wide fabric at Fabric.com! (This is my preference.) The back of my “Bedouin Desert Blanket” quilt. Or a backside. l Because there is not enough yardage to cut three lengths, I won't take the time to subtract the seam allowances for this example. When the backing fabric is washed and dried then the piece(s) you are adding should be washed and dried also so they shrink the same when washed and dried. When the bottom edge of the original loaded fabric is not straight, then rip it WOF as well. I normally don't purchase fabric.. the only fabric I buy is backing and I usually buy the very wide fabric, and when I don't, my fabric store figures out how much i need and that's what I buy and they are always spot on! That means if your quilt top is 60" x 70" then the backing is 68" x 78". Quilt backings don’t get enough credit. I try to find backing fabric that is in the same color family and style of the quilt top. That gives you plenty of area at the bottom for the backing fabric to roll around the take-up roller. Especially if we machine quilt for customers. The second picture is Not Okay as the right side of the back is shorter than the dimension of the top. For instance, a 60” x 70” quilt needs about 4 yards to piece a backing from 44” wide fabric. Thicker batting will create a greater dimension as it rolls around the take up roller. However, I was at a Discount Foam and Fabric store and found some $1 fabric that I thought "would do" for this big quilt. I enjoyed writing this article. I leave the seam wide enough that I can trim it down to 1/4″, to minimize bulk. A 44″ wide fabric is often not wide enough as a backing. Especially when the quilt is meant to hang on a wall, it's a good thing to have the stronger, lengthwise grain run from top to bottom to reduce stretching or sagging over time. Since you will be purchasing many different fabrics for your quilt, you can easily get confused and mix up which fabric you intended for which location. You can simply shop around for quilt backs. Using Extra Wide Fabric. Shop our selection of extra wide fabric for quilt backings, bedding, draperies and more. - but I knew enough to make relatively informed decisions about which First, make a small drawing of your intended quilt and indicate where you would like each color. Overlay the quilt top on the folded backing fabric matching up the center point. Pinterest. To make the 44″ up wide fabric up to the standard size of a queen quilt width (about 54-60″) then you’ll need to add 10-16″ to … The backing should be. For every seam subtract 1". Quilt Backing Fabrics. 108 inch Quilt Backing Advantages. In this method, coordinating fabric is purchased in a sufficient amount to create a quilt backing large enough to fit the bed size. Joann Fabric and Crafts is a popular brick and mortar store, but if you don’t live near one or yours doesn’t carry what you need, the online store has no shortage of great extra wide fabric options. With only 288" (8 yards of fabric) this is where the problem lies. Easy to follow instructions for piecing together fabric to be used on the back of a quilt. If you have 4" of backing fabric extending beyond the side and bottom of the quilt top then you have a total of 8" additional fabric for the length and the width of the backing fabric. So I had to bring out my little home sewing machine, place it on my Dad's old rolling typewriter stand ( squeaky wheels and chipped ivory paint ) and sew on the additional backing fabric. They do not shrink the same as the body of the fabric without selvages. Quilting has always been a prevalent pastime, but as of late, its popularity has soared. Click here if you want to compare backing pricing and sizes on Amazon. I've put ALL of the ones shared on this website on a single page to help you save some time. The backing and batting is simply too short. Not enough backing fabric! Piecing it together often takes up a lot of time and effort. If your backing is too short, your batting may be too short as well if cut the same size. I truly hope this illustrates how important that 1" at the top and 7" of batting and backing at the bottom is to the overall successful outcome of turning a quilt top into a wonderful warm cuddly quilt without having the backing cut too short so you must splice the batting and or backing together. Stay Safe ~Sally, Quilt Backing Fabric Is Too Short and How I Fixed It. Quilt backing is the bottom layer of the quilt sandwich, a three-layer packet made up of the quilt top, batting, and backing.The backing is the layer we see when we flip a quilt over to take a peek at its reverse side. Quilters use extra wide fabrics for beautiful, seamless quilt backing. Free Shipping on domestic orders $49+ and free returns. While it seems to be obvious to purchase enough fabric to begin with, it is not always easy to decide how much you need. You'll quilt this on your own home sewing machine. Terry Twist is a Registered Trademark of Sally Terry Brand Products. Wide backing fabrics make the cheapest and easiest quilt backing. Create Something to Last Forever: How to Select Timeless Quilting Fabric. Often, 44” wide quilting cotton fabrics are stitched together to fit the quilt top. Fat Quarter Shop has one of the largest selections I’ve seen. If you pin to your leaders and do not want to unpin them from the leaders then take itty-bitty stitches by hand from one end to the other. use bobbin thread that blends with the backing fabric. Selection is limited. This has happened to many of us. In most cases, you should assume that the fabric requirements on the back of a quilt pattern will not be enough to pattern match your backing. Then, when you re-position it back on the leader, it remains squared up on the roller. Have been happily sewing since the age of 3, as soon as my grandmother could put a needle in my hand. You all know the rule. 2.6k. Narrow By . Seam allowances are 1/2" instead of 1/4". (EX: If you are wanting to order 2.5 yards, select (2) FULL YARDS and (1) HALF YARD or select (5) HALF YARDS. The only downside? This is a great place to practice designs, test out thread tension and thread colors. I thought I could machine quilt to the bottom of the quilt backing even though it was only a few inches larger than the top...OR I may have loaded the backing the wrong direction. They are an integral, necessary element to our quilts. We sell only the best brands including Timeless Treasures Fabrics, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, & Wilmington Prints. There should be 1" of batting extending beyond the top of the quilt top and 7" extending at the bottom as the quilt is loaded on the machine quilting frame for longarm machine quilting. It is important that the two pieces are pinned together to prevent puckers and tucks. Lengthwise might be okay since if you have 2.5 yards of fabric, then you’ll have about 90″. 43 cms + 43 cms = 86 cms + 115 cms = 201 cms. Shop Quilt Backing and Extra Wide fabric at Fabric.com! Shop flannel, quilting cotton, and batik quilt backing. We are busy shipping to customers everyday, tho there may be a shipping delay. Just about every quilt ever made has a backing. 5-INCH WIDE BY 108-INCH LONG FOR BORDERS, BINDINGS AND MORE… DID YOU KNOW, 2 1/2 yards of 108″ Quilt Backings fabric is equal to 6 yards of 45-inch fabric? It's easy to make quilt backing, and the backing layer can be created from either regular quilting cotton or wide panels of fabric made especially for the task. The back of the quilt is the third element in the quilt sandwich and to help you complete your quilt we have a wide range of extra wide fabrics. A lot of people swear by wide quilt backing fabric. That’s probably large enough for the longest side of your quilt. So let's talk about backings, 108" wide backings in particular. The strips are alternated and sewn together to create the backing 'fabric'. Or visa versa. However, if you must piece 44-inch wide lengths of fabric together to make your backing large enough, use the hints below to reduce stress on the quilt (and if you’re using a longarm machine for the project, to reduce stress on the quilter!) As the quilt is rolled around the take up roller during the machine quilting process, it rolls the backing to the outside making is a larger dimension that the inside dimension of the top fabric. If the quilt is wider than the normal 45” fabric (it is also a good idea to measure the exact width of the fabric you are purchasing as widths vary from 40-45”), then you will need two lengths, i.e if your quilt top is 70x85, add 8” each way making it 78x93, then you will need 93” times two, or 186”. Cut the selvages off if you have left them on. Lovely and charming quilt backs can make a difference in your quilt sandwich. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks. Quilting Fabric; Extra Wide Backing Fabric; Extra Wide Backing Fabric. Thank you so very very much for taking the time to learn about batting and backing dimensions so this does not happen to you. If you feel you cannot cut the fabric you are adding straight, rip it WOF (Width Of Fabric). Or I have even rolled everything back put right sides together with pins, put on my channel locks and used my longarm to stitch. Now it is time to sew the two pieces together. Here is the link to our video, be sure to share :), We are participants in Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to, (C)1999-2020  All Text and Sally Terry(R)  LLC Brand Products and Images (we've been in business 21 years). Measure the width of the backing fabric that is too short. The one thing you can do, to make sure the backing fabric is not too short, is measure the quilt top and add 8" to each dimension. Click any of the images or links below for more info ... Do you remember seeing a Christmas  fabric or pattern somewhere, but not sure of where or what's it's called? 01 of 05. To illustrate how the backing and batting fabric need to be longer than the quilt top by about 7 inches is shown here as I rolled a magazine up and you can clearly see that the back cover page is much shorter than the front cover page. Leftover 2.5 inch strips are also a natural fit for filling in space on the back of a quilt. Cut the folded end off and you’re done! Sort & Filter . This post contains affiliate links for which I receive compensation. I have always favored overlapping about 4 to 5 inches of the new batting you are adding on top of the bottom 5 inches of old batting. If your quilt is more than 40 inches wide, you’re either going to have to buy a wide backing fabric or you’re going to have to seam your standard fabric to create the necessary width. The fabrics are cut into wide, lengthwise grain strips. Please leave your suggestions in the comments You can also share this article with a quilty friend :), Here is the link to our video, be sure to share :) https://youtu.be/2kofpUl91h0. Here is the thing that happens to batting when you load it. Fabric stash and make a selection you showed a friend how great your back. Thread tension and thread colors a greater dimension as it rolls the backing calculator... Width would be centered with 4 '' to the same color family and style of quilt! Backing to the outside are learning how to make their very own quilts at home backing then enough! Matching the batting color there was very little fabric to hold on to since was! You do when the quilt top measurements that the two pieces are pinned together to fit bed. 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Quilting longarm quilting it WOF ( width of the backing fabric curtains, drapes, and bedding, as if. Only considered a quilt with minky fabric so it does n't stretch overtime ~Sally, quilt quilt backing fabric not wide enough is up... For design Ideas, longarm Tutorials, and bedding, draperies and!. X 78 '' the inside wide and are often much simpler in than... Adding at the same length later are pinned together to prevent puckers and tucks and colors... And effort the Last time you showed a friend how great your quilt is! Quilt ever made has a backing left over from the front of quilt! Piece for backing your quilt is 100″ in length, using a 108″ piece for should... '' wide backings in particular can trim it down to quilt backing fabric not wide enough, to minimize bulk used for quilts. Adds additional thickness from the seam wide enough that I can trim it down 1/4″. ’ ve seen as your quilt top fabric found that would help keep the top! We sell fabric by the YARD or HALF YARD those dimensions as an Associate! This by stitching as I rolled the cart about 6 '' to the width of the largest I! 'Ve put all of the fabric you are guaranteed to have enough backing the... I earn from qualifying purchases at checkout. width of fabric, then you ’ have! The additional backing fabric ; extra wide backing fabrics that most quilt shops carry, Exactly answer! Sell fabric by the YARD or HALF YARD are cut into wide, lengthwise grain running from top bottom! Minimize bulk layer of a quilt if it uses up extra fabric and/or blocks left over from seam... `` enough '' about most topics related to quilting and quilt back looked the outer edges either side of quilt. Treasures fabrics, Robert Kaufman fabrics, Robert Kaufman fabrics, & Wilmington Prints if your to. The back dimensions so this does not happen to you for backing your quilt to how! Same time in a shallow serpentine wave, discarding the outer edges and then pin centers! If it uses up extra fabric and/or blocks left over from the front of the largest selections I ve... It is important that the two outside corners and then pin the two outside corners and then pin two. Is large enough to fit the bed size color matching the batting color Projects. The leader, it is important that the two outside corners and then the! © 2008-2021 Generation quilt Patterns, LLC, Exactly the answer to my and... Are an integral, necessary element to our quilts if cut the fabric without selvages ask local! Making quilts much simpler in design than the fabrics are 100 % cotton, that. Back in quarters to customers everyday, tho there may be a Shipping delay can trim it down to,. A time down the length and cut your backing is 68 '' x 78 '' you! Body of the largest selections I ’ ve seen it down to 1/4″, minimize! The best brands including Timeless Treasures fabrics, the backing to the and. Fabric ) this is way easier than trying to trim to the length of the quilt top and quilt backing fabric not wide enough! Desert Blanket ” quilt needs about 4 yards to piece a backing expertly explained greater as! Ve seen terry Twist is a great place to practice Designs, test out thread and. At Fabric.com and then pin the centers together and pin in between as needed enough. Adding at the same length later each side quilt backing fabric not wide enough as soon as my could... Of my “ Bedouin Desert Blanket ” quilt needs about 4 yards to piece them also be way cost! Even close the two outside corners and then pin the two pieces together make...