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Quilt backing

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2018 6:29 am
by SusieQ58
Just getting started. Have my quilt top all done and am ready to "layer and quilt". My question is, do I make the backing the same size as the finished quilt top or do I make it bigger? I'm assuming the batting is to be cut in the same size/dimension as the quilt top.

Re: Quilt backing

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2018 8:47 am
by kenderosa
I always cut my batting and my backing at least 3 inches all around, bigger than the top. Allows for shrinkage when quilting.

Sue

Re: Quilt backing

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2018 9:17 am
by SusieQ58
Thanks! This is what I assumed. I also found a good website with very simple instructions for beginners. Amazing that our grandmothers used to do this almost all by hand!!!

Re: Quilt backing

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2018 2:37 pm
by auntjana
I too cut the back and batting bigger. I also sew the first part of the binding , that goes on the front, ready to turn to the back, sewing it down before I trim the back and batting. This makes sure that my binding feels full at the edge, and makes for a very nice edge.

Jana

Re: Quilt backing

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 11:25 am
by MaryGoRound
If you have your quilt professionally quilted they will want 3 to 4 inches extra backing all of the way around the quilt. I also top stitch on the outside edges of the finished top (before it is layered) so that is gives it some stability when it gets placed on the quilting machine. I usually leave extra batting on the outside of the quilt top. It can easily be trimmed off after quilting.

Re: Quilt backing

Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:46 am
by purrfect-lady
I’m late to the party here but you should always cut batting and backing at least 3-4 inches bigger on all sides. The quilting process pulls in the fabric, kind of shrinking it.

Mary

Re: Quilt backing

Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2019 2:45 pm
by Joans
I too cut my batting and backing a few inches larger than my quilt. I have a question though. I am making a baby quilt and am backing it with some good quality flannel. Do I also need to use batting or is the flannel heavy enough without batting?

Re: Quilt backing

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2019 8:03 pm
by Carrie-Waltz
Backing needs to be larger, it easy to cut it afterwards and all will look perfect!

Re: Quilt backing

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 6:09 am
by purrfect-lady
The question of batting in a flannel quilt is a common one. I think it's a matter of preference or the intended use of the quilt. You can use regular batting, a layer of flannel, or skip batting all together. I like to use just a single layer of flannel in place of batting in table toppers, wall hangings, some baby quilts, or quilts that will be used in a hot climate.

mary z

Re: Quilt backing

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 4:08 pm
by gershwin64
Joans, is the baby in a cold climate? I live in NM and my Christmas quilt I made a few years ago is a king size and has flannel for the back and batting, it's a nice warm quilt for our bed. For a baby, you might just want a heavy flannel if it's a drag around quilt for baby. So many things to consider on batting or not for a baby quilt. If you have batting and flannel backing it will be a heavier quilt.
Tina