My friend Cassandra Beaver wrote a blog post on dynamic quilt backs recently, and I was inspired to go through my photo albums. Head over to The Not So Dramatic Life to read Cassandra’s post. Then let me know – how do you feel about pieced quilt backs?
I have a love/hate relationship with pieced backings. On the one hand, when I’m finished with a quilt top, I’m ready to start something new. That means I want to get it onto the longarm, bind it and move on. I love a good wide-back for ease of use, and speed. On the other hand, a pieced back is an opportunity to use up scraps left from the top, and keep the stash from growing even more. It also adds another layer of interest.
A lot of these are from my time as an Island Batik ambassador. They never sent wide-backs, and often they sent 3 yard cuts of a few coordinates. That meant that piecing had to happen, and it had to be more than one fabric. Apparently I never just sewed two pieces together with one on either side. Or, I didn’t take a picture.
This one is my simplest pieced backs. Yellow isn’t my favorite color, and look at this huge piece that got used up! Ohio Star blocks using the AccuQuilt BOB.
I had a ton of strips left over after making this quilt. I love how pretty this backing is. The label is cute, too! This is Log Cabin Jam, and was published in a magazine!
Ok. Weird lighting on this one. Either I was getting artsy, or I was late for posting. This one I used up a lot of extra blocks I had made for the front. I believe I tried several things on this quilt, decided I didn’t like them much, and stuck them on the back to get rid of them. This is from Make Your Own Medallion by Erin Burke Harris.
Preppy the Whale pattern by Elizabeth Hartman. Again, I was just using up scraps while making a panel to insert into the backing piece to enlarge it.
I think this is the prettiest version of my heart quilt pattern. And are you seeing a system here? I have one trick I like to use – make a panel, sew it between two big pieces of fabric. I try to limit the patchwork for two reasons – one, it’s hard on the longarm when seams match up on the front and the back, and it is difficult to prevent that. Second, I’m done. I want to be finished and make the next idea that is exciting me.
This is a pattern by Free Bird Quilting Designs. Maybe Modern Mandala?
Finally, to prove that I can do things other than a strip down the middle, I present Quota, and it’s crazy pieced back. This one was fun – I used up all of the weird leftovers created by making the front blocks. I’m not really sure which side I prefer, but I love that I used up almost all of the fabric.
How do you feel about pieced quilt backs?
Until recently I hand quilted my quilts and a pieced back was impossibly challenging (I didn’t even use batiks because it made it so much more difficult to get the small and even stitches that I was looking for. Now that I machine quilt or have them long-armed, I am so tempted to try piecing a back (but I haven’t been brave enough yet). After seeing how pretty yours are I think I’ll give it a go. I agree with you that when I’m done, I’m done and want to start a new project so maybe just a strip or small “bonus” area!
I use them whenever I can. I try to put my leftovers from the front on the back.
I often piece the backing, and I totally agree with you on finishing the top and being DONE! I have piles everywhere, just waiting and watching as I start another project! Good luck at the quilt show.