It has always been suggested that quilts should have a backing that is one piece of fabric or a backing which has as few seams as possible and the pieces are all cut from the same cloth. I have always struggled with this since I usually just buy a half meter or one meter of fabric so that I have a lot of variety in my stash. As my quilts got larger, using one piece of fabric was a challenge and I really liked the idea of a pieced back. Sometimes I have leftover blocks that I can piece into the back. I usually start with those blocks whether it is one or several and I “build the back” around those blocks. Very much like the way a log cabin block is built (sewn).
Herringbone Blues (back)
I come from strong Scottish “stock”. My paternal Grandparents immigrated to Canada in the early 1900’s. They brought with them their strong Scottish frugality which they passed on to their family and the next generations. I did search on Google for “Scottish traits” and frugal is tops as is miser! So I just can’t rationalize buying several meters of “wide back” fabric which is usually 108” wide and can cost anywhere from $18 to $30+ per meter when I have lots to chose from in my own stash with apologies to my LQS! Plus I find it a lot to handle, to wash and to dry and then to iron it.
The Birds Their Carols Raise (back)
The Avenue (back)
The Avenue (back, detail)
New England Motel (back)
So I recommend quilters should give it a try. Start small with a wallhanging back, and gradually work your way up to a queen size quilt or whatever size you want. You can also stitch your quilt label in to the back, use a 4”x6” light coloured rectangle and sew it in to the back then using a pigma pen write the name of the quilt, your name, the quilter’s name (if you did not quilt it), place where the was made and any other pertinent information. Sometimes before sewing the label in I write the information on the label, I iron a piece of freezer paper to the back of the label. This gives you a nice firm surface to write on. When you finish writing all the information, peel the freezer paper off then sew it in.
We Three Birds (back)
We Are Family (back)
We Are Family (back, detail)
I picked up my latest quilt from Nadine who quilted it for me. The back is of course pieced. There were several other quilters there, one who had never thought of piecing together a back and she was quite intrigued with it. I know when I finish a top I am anxious to get it quilted either hand quilted by me or machine quilted by someone else. It does take time to sew together a pieced back but I think it is worth it. Sometimes I have a definite idea of what I will do and sometimes I just pick a stack of fabrics and off I go. I often start with a leftover block or two and more often than not it tells me what to add next, how big or how small. The key is to keep everything straight, trim as you go if it needs it and make sure to add enough around the outside edge for the long arm or for a hand quilting frame. Have fun with it!