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Home / My Blog / Improvisational Quilting Classes / ::Quilt Backs::

::Quilt Backs::

August 19, 2014 By Katie

I hate making quilt backs.  I also spend too much time over thinking the quilting.  I know from discussions that I’m not alone at this stage of quilt making.

So instead I’ve been piling up quilt tops.  I haven’t quilted a quilt since, oh, November;( lame.

So I’ve started making my fabric piles, AND I will…make…quilt backs.

I know many quilters that now shy away from prints, but I have a soft spot for prints and backs are a perfect place to use up those that made me love fabric and quilting.

sewkatiedid/Psychedelic Baby Quilt

I think this quilt has been together minus a border for a year and a half.

sewkatiedid

This is what I purchased, but I’m not so sure I’m sold.  The handle on these Kaffe fabrics is really nice if you are looking for a soft quilt back.

Snowballed Sunshine is my new color way obsession.

wonky snowballed stars/sewkatiedid

It’s getting scraps and some larger cuts in the same sunshine happy tones.

sewkatiedid

My Sochi Hex just needs some length and maybe some added width.

sewkatiedid/hex

Fabrics from the front and a few of the same prints in an alternate color way will merge for its back.

sewkatiedid

My newest Double-Trouble quilt is the one I’m itching to quilt the most.  The picture makes it look so dull, but it’s bright and vibrant.

double-trouble scrappy/sewkatiedid

I knew I wanted the 60s type flower print to be showcased on the back and I’ll take it from there with the others.

sewkatiedid

Now we’ll just have to see how long those piles sit?

I do enjoy choosing binding, so maybe that will be my incentive.

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Filed Under: Improvisational Quilting Classes Tagged With: alexander henry, Improv, improvisation, improvisational, improvisational patchwork, modern quilt, sew katie did, workshops

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Georgi Sears says

    August 19, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    Your quilt tops are gorgeous! I especially love that newest Double-Trouble and the Snowballed Sunshine. Can’t wait to see these finished ~ you can do this!!!

  2. GerryART says

    August 19, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Love all your colors ‼️ hugs

  3. Tina Short says

    August 19, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    I hate making backs too, so I bought a whole bolt of Ikea Numbers fabric. It’s quite wide and I dont mind joining it if I have to. I know its lightweight and that doesn’t suit a lot of people but the convenience of not having to make what is essentially another quilt for the back makes it a winner in my book. I have also been known to use lightweight cotton curtain fabric for backing – whatever works.

    • sewkatiedid says

      August 20, 2014 at 7:58 am

      Those are good ideas!

  4. totrockmom says

    August 19, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    I love your arrangements, and I can totally identify with “quilter fatigue” when it comes to everything after piecing together the top.

  5. Carla says

    August 19, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    Every one of these is amazing . I’m glad I’m not alone in my struggle to quilt my tops. Your work is lovely

    • sewkatiedid says

      August 20, 2014 at 7:57 am

      Thanks Carla, we’re not alone apparently.

  6. twoquiltsandachicken says

    August 19, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    I am loving that Double Trouble quilt, but can we see what’s next to it?! Please? 🙂

    • sewkatiedid says

      August 19, 2014 at 11:39 pm

      haha, you’ll see it soon or you can follow progress on Instagram;)

  7. quirkyjazz says

    August 20, 2014 at 2:08 am

    Fun quilts! I also get “stuck” when faced with making a back. Lately I’ve been better about just diving in and trying to “make it work” with the leftover fabrics from the “front” side. I start making something that is wide enough and then keep adding things to the top and bottom of that piece (mostly in wide horizontal pieced together hunks until the whole thing is long enough. I’ll try to post a photo of what I mean since this description isn’t even making much sense to me and I’ve actually done it!

    • sewkatiedid says

      August 20, 2014 at 8:28 am

      I know what you’re describing. It’s the same process I use. I like to lay my top on the floor or design wall for the process. Happy Wednesday!

  8. erin says

    August 20, 2014 at 6:30 am

    I’ve been doing the same thing. Why do we wait so long?!? I think I only have 2 tops without backs left! That’s down from 7….progress!

    • sewkatiedid says

      August 20, 2014 at 7:57 am

      You’re clearing out! You’re my hero.

  9. Alison says

    August 20, 2014 at 8:45 am

    I’m still in the “every quilt has a reason or recipient” phase so all I have are some orphan blocks. I see I have some catching up to do.
    I love your double trouble. I’d love to make a white background quilt but it would be grey in a week in dusty Santiago. My next idea is a red background.

  10. sylviarainbow says

    August 21, 2014 at 6:16 am

    Your work on quilt fronts is amazing! I’m still insecure about trying quilting but this post raised my hopes high and I might as well start a quilt project!

  11. divinedaisy01 says

    August 21, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    Super cute! I really want to learn how to quilt. First I need a sewing machine 🙂

  12. Jolly and Delilah says

    August 22, 2014 at 12:19 am

    Your work is beautiful! Are you not interested in buying some super wide fabric? That’s what I’ve done for my latest project backings.

    • sewkatiedid says

      August 22, 2014 at 10:16 am

      I just have so much fabric already that I’m trying to use what’s here and get over my backing push off. My mom always buys the wide fabric too;)

      • Jolly and Delilah says

        August 22, 2014 at 12:27 pm

        I have a ton of fabric too. I finally had to come to the conclusion that I didn’t buy all those fancy prints to go on the back of something. I usually make pieced backings for myself, pretty simple ones as gifts, but I’ll be making gifts for the rest of the year, so superwide it is for that. I think this is the first time I’ve had a finished quilt top with no back. I have to make them as I go. It’s some sort of compulsion.

        Good luck making yours!

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