backing fabric?

OK, probably a daft question, but what is the difference between
"normal" quilting fabric and backing fabric?

I know that the width is larger, so why can't it be used on the top?

Janner
France

IMHO you can use it anywhere you want to. I expect backing has improved
through the years but the only time I bought the wider fabric, I thought the
quality was not so good. Maybe some of our longarmers who 'do' lots of
backing will join in with fresher opinions. Polly


"Janner" wrote in message
...
OK, probably a daft question, but what is the difference between "normal"
quilting fabric and backing fabric?

I know that the width is larger, so why can't it be used on the top?

Janner
France

No reason that I know of, or can think of!
..
In message , Janner
writes
OK, probably a daft question, but what is the difference between
"normal" quilting fabric and backing fabric?

I know that the width is larger, so why can't it be used on the top?

Janner
France

--
Best Regards
Pat on the Green

Howdy!

I often buy wide, backing fabric when it's a good price. So far, the
quality is just as good as any other fabric from the same manufacturer.

Why not use it for the top? Because it does tend to cost more to get
that big wad of yardage. And because it could be a bit overwhelming
to cut into such a large piece. But I do it. Esp. w/ the leftovers;
use the wide stuff for backing, trim & use the scraps for something
else... or for binding.

It's your fabric; use it as you please. ;-)

Cheers!
R/Sandy


On 11/10/11 7:52 AM, in article ,
"Janner" wrote:

OK, probably a daft question, but what is the difference between
"normal" quilting fabric and backing fabric?

I know that the width is larger, so why can't it be used on the top?

Janner
France

On Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:52:50 +0100, Janner
wrote:

OK, probably a daft question, but what is the difference between
"normal" quilting fabric and backing fabric?

I know that the width is larger, so why can't it be used on the top?

Janner
France

The 'backing' fabric I see at the fabric shop is much wider than
'normal,' so the idea is you sew don't have to sew as many pieces
togethe (if any) to get a piece big enough to cover the back of your
quilt.

There's no reason it can't be used for 'normal' piecing esp. if you
have leftovers from a completed quilt!

-Irene

I purchased some Bernartex wide backing fabric and found it not of the same
quality
their regular fabric is. I bought it online but would not have bought it in
person. It
wasn't cheap cost wise but was not what I would consider quilt shop quality.
ymmv.
Taria

"Janner" wrote in message ...

OK, probably a daft question, but what is the difference between
"normal" quilting fabric and backing fabric?

I know that the width is larger, so why can't it be used on the top?

Janner
France

No difference, really. There are some extra-wide "backing" fabrics on
the market that are perhaps of lower quality than top-of-the-line
quilting fabric. But lots of people make patchwork out of cheaper
fabric and feel fine with it. There are also plenty of high-quality
backings out there.

If you order something and the quality isn't what you expect, send it
back. Or ask for a sample swatch before you buy.
Roberta in D

On Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:52:50 +0100, Janner
wrote:

OK, probably a daft question, but what is the difference between
"normal" quilting fabric and backing fabric?

I know that the width is larger, so why can't it be used on the top?

Janner
France

I take a somewhat unusual approach to backing my quilts, and it works
well for me and gives me a truly reversible quilt.

First, I do all of my quilting by hand, and make it really portable by
doing it in bits no larger than 2' by 2'. Naturally, I have to leave
about an inch without quilting all the way around when quilting the
small pieces so that I can stitch them together. Also, I cut both
batting and backing a bit larger.

For the backing fabric, I use fabric either from my stash or buy
fabric that coordinates with the fabrics I will use on the quilt top.
Sometimes the backing is several different colors/shades and patterns,
sometimes one fabric with a small print, and sometimes a plain color
that is not white.

When all of the quilt pieces are quilted and ready for assembly, I
trim them each carefully, stitch the top layers together, and re-trim
the backing and batting so they will butt up against each other and
lay flat. For this re-trimming, I use scissors to avoid any ghastly
mistakes with a rotary cutter! Then I flip the pieces over and baste
the batting and backing to close the seam enough so the batting and
backing butt up against each other. A series of X stitches works best
for me.

Then I flip it over again so the quilt top is facing me, and do the
bits of quilting around and over the seam so there are no blank
areas. When this is completed, the top of the quilt appears complete,
and nobody can tell that the quilt was made in chunks.

Now, flip it back over again. You need to cover all those seam areas
where the backing and batting are butting up against each other! You
can hand-stitch sashing that is made with some fabric used in the
quilt top, something entirely different, sashing made from backing
fabric, fabric to match the quilt binding, or even commercially-made
bias tape. The sashing can be skinny like the bias tape or a bit
wider, and depending on what you use can make a striking addition to
the back.

When all of the above is finished, you are ready to add the binding to
the quilt.

One more thing I do when the quilt is probably be going on a bed is
make a pair of pillows, one side to go with the quilt top, and the
other side to go with the back.