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Quilt backing

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SusieQ58
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2018 6:17 am

Quilt backing

Post by SusieQ58 » Mon Nov 26, 2018 6:29 am

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.

kenderosa
Posts: 8630
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:18 am

Re: Quilt backing

Post by kenderosa » Mon Nov 26, 2018 8:47 am

I always cut my batting and my backing at least 3 inches all around, bigger than the top. Allows for shrinkage when quilting.

Sue

SusieQ58
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2018 6:17 am

Re: Quilt backing

Post by SusieQ58 » Mon Nov 26, 2018 9:17 am

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!!!

auntjana
Posts: 15969
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:42 pm

Re: Quilt backing

Post by auntjana » Tue Nov 27, 2018 2:37 pm

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

MaryGoRound
Posts: 133
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2019 8:47 am

Re: Quilt backing

Post by MaryGoRound » Thu Feb 14, 2019 11:25 am

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.

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purrfect-lady
Posts: 23298
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2008 4:01 am

Re: Quilt backing

Post by purrfect-lady » Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:46 am

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

Joans
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2019 2:36 pm

Re: Quilt backing

Post by Joans » Sun Mar 24, 2019 2:45 pm

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?

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Carrie-Waltz
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2019 10:02 pm

Re: Quilt backing

Post by Carrie-Waltz » Thu Aug 08, 2019 8:03 pm

Backing needs to be larger, it easy to cut it afterwards and all will look perfect!
Life is brighter, if you have a hobby!

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purrfect-lady
Posts: 23298
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2008 4:01 am

Re: Quilt backing

Post by purrfect-lady » Fri Aug 09, 2019 6:09 am

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

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gershwin64
Posts: 11026
Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:56 am

Re: Quilt backing

Post by gershwin64 » Wed Aug 14, 2019 4:08 pm

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

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