Quilt Backing Prep: Essential Guidelines & Advice
Selecting your quilt backing Fabric
Things to consider when picking your backing fabric. Material: Usually, cotton. It is the most traditional choice. Cuddle and flannel fabric’s can add warmth and coziness for climates where you have cold weather. For light weight quilts, consider cotton and possibly cotton/poly blends. High-quality backing material ensures your quilt is comfortable and also durable. Fabric width: I highly recommend 108 inch backing. Remember, your backing fabric needs to be at least 6-8 inches wider than your quilt top on all sides to allow for overhang. Your quilt backing must be larger than you quilt top to be quilted on a longarm machine. Another consideration is washing your quilt: you should make sure that your backing fabric is washable and can be dried to ensure that your finished quilt will last for years. Because quilts can last for years!
What do you need to do if you have to piece your backing fabric?
Measure your quilt top and ensure that the quilt top is squared. You need the measurements of the width and length of your quilt top. It is usually preferred to use horizontal seams. Use a 1/2 inch - 1 inch seam. Ensure that you have right sides together. Press the seam open so that its lays flat. Lay your quilt backing face down on a flat surface and place your quilt top right side up centered in the middle of the quilt backing to ensure you have the required 6-8 inches on all sides.
Piecing your Quilt backing
However, if that is not possible then please use a 1/2″ seam and make it horizontal across the width of your Quilt instead of vertical. This helps the seam lay flat as it is rolled on the frame and is also stronger for your quilt. Please leave the selvage edges on the outside edges of the Quilt Backing as they are helpful for loading the backing on to the frame. I do offer a service to piece your backing fabric together for an additional fee.
Remember, to check with the longarm quilter if you’re sending them a Quilt backing that has been intricately pieced. You must communciate with your longarm quilter to ensure what they can do! Note these requirements may vary from one longarmer to another, so it is always good to check.
Quilt Backing Prep is critical. Deb’s Quilt Studio suggests the following:
Your quilt can’t be loaded on the quilt frame unless the backing is 12″ wider (6″ on each side) and 12″ longer (6″ on each side) than your Quilt Top. For example, if your Quilt Top Length is 80″ wide, you will need a backing that is 92″ wide, if your Quilt Top Width is 100″ wide, your backing will need to be 112″ long. This is an absolute must.
The largest Quilt Top I can accept is 120″ x 120″ and the largest Quilt Backing I can accept is 132″ x 132″.
If your Quilt Backing has a direction (up/down) please put a safety pin or label to designate the the Top edge quilt backing.
If shipping please iron your quilt backing . I will lightly iron it before I begin to quilt your top if it was shipped to the shop. Major folds or wrinkles will incur a fee for pressing.
Please square your Quilt Backing and ensure you have straight edges. If your Backing is not accurately squared then I cannot guarantee that your quilt will not be twisted or distorted.
I do not square Quilt Backings. It is your responsibility to do so. I will double check them before I load them on the frame and if there is an issue I will contact you to discuss options.
I trim the batting down to about an inch around the quilt once I am finished. I do not trim the backing fabric itself. I do this because you might need to touch up the squaring, you might like to have the batting in your binding, or you could use the extra fabric for your binding.
If you plan to fold the backing over as your binding. Please let me know up front so that I will stop the design as close to the edge of the quilt top as possible.
I do offer machine binding services for an additional fee.
Correctly prepping the quilt back makes it easier to longarm ensures a quality finished product.