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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Hodgepodge Patchwork Tuesday - A Pieced Backing for My "Think Outside the BLOCK Quilt"

What do you do with all the scraps leftover from a quilt? 
If you are going to stitch them together to create a cool backing fabric, you need to keep a few things in mind as you assemble it.

  • Tight stitches as your backing fabric will be rolled onto rollers and stretched by your long arm quilter.
  • It will be stretched and pulled, so there may be some wavy seams that you weren't expecting on the back of your quilt. I'm OK with them, because I know why they are there.
  • Your backing fabric for a long arm quilter is at least 10 inches larger and wider, so put the pieces you want on your back in the center sections of the quilt - not all the way out to the edges.
  • Try not to have too many bias seams, as those will stretch and get wavy on the back side of your quilt.
  • If you are having special quilting on your quilt it might look really weird on the back of your quilt, if you have completely different design blocks on the back.  I would suggest an overall quilting if you do a pieced backing.  That will look best on both sides.
  • Ask yourself will my pieced backing enhance or distract from the beautiful front of the quilt?  This is important as you have put a lot of work into your quilt top and you want to be happy with the finished quilt.
You have several options when creating a pieced back out of your leftover scraps. 

  • Make more blocks.
  • Sew the pieces together in a new block design.
  • Sew the pieces together in rows.
  • Add another solid color. Use it to border the leftover pieces and partial blocks.
I chose to sew mine together in rows with the solid strips of blue in between each of the pieces.
Then I added long blue strips in between the rows and added some to the ends of the short rows.
Then auditioned fabrics to attach to the sides. I liked this one best.

I added a large long strip to each side. The wider strip on the right to off center the rows.

I started quilting it today and hope to finish it by tomorrow.  I will post photos later in the week of the completed quilt.  I am taking this quilt with me for show and tell, this weekend, to a quilt retreat in Belmont, Wisconsin.  I started the mystery quilt at that retreat 2 or 3 years ago. The quilt Retreat is hosted by Quilts by Barb. 
Previous posts about my Think outside the BLOCK Quilt.
I had fun sewing the pieces together to create a backing, but on most of my quilts I use the Extra wide backing fabrics.
I carry 30 backing fabrics in stock and they can be ordered through my online store.  On weekdays, I ship out your fabric within 24 hours. You can order a sample package of all 30 fabrics (5 inch squares) for matching your colors. 


Back to quilting...
Marcia


Linked with:
 Think Outside the BLOCK Quilt - Oct. 30, 2011
 Extra Wide Fabrics
 Today's Creative Blog: Get Your Craft On - Nov. 8, 2011
 My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday's Treasures - Nov. 8, 2011
 Life in Pieces: 15 Minute Challenge - Nov. 8, 2011
 Freshly Pieced: WIP Wednesday - Nov. 9, 2011
 Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday - Nov. 9, 2011
Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff - Nov. 10, 2011
The Thrifty Groove: Thrifty Things Firday - Nov. 11, 2011
Confessions of a Fabric Addict: Can I get a Whoop Whoop? - Nov. 11, 2011
Roca and Company: You ROCK #9 - Nov. 11, 2011
My Repurposed Life: Catch as Catch Can #52 - Nov. 11, 2011
Quilting in My Pyjamas: Favourite Things Friday - Nov. 11, 2011
2805 Potpourri Party #11 - Nov. 11, 2011
Stuff and Nonsense: fridays unfolded #41 - Nov. 11, 2011
Homemaker in heels: Weekend Craft Soiree - Nov. 11, 2011
So Many Ways: Sew Darn Crafty Party Week 40 - Nov. 14, 2011
Sew Happy Geek: Manic Mondays Linky Party - Nov. 14, 2011
Sew Chatty: Made with Love #51 - Nov. 14, 2011
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday - Nov. 15, 2011
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36 comments:

  1. KarenNovember 8, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    I really like seeing pieced backings. I always think of the lovely surprise someone will have when they turn a quilt over and find something extra on the back.
    Your backing looks great and i am looking forward to seeing the quilting you have done.

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  2. beaquilterNovember 8, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    very cool!! I like the wide backing too, but I don't mind pieced backings either, they are bulkier on my long arm, but i've really only done it on my own, so I don't mind.

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  3. Miss HillbillyNovember 8, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    I've always been scared to piece the backing...and to get it lined up with the front. I guess if I sent them to you...it would be your problem. :0)

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  4. Marjorie's Busy CornerNovember 8, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    Front and back look great

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  5. Vroomans' QuiltsNovember 8, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    Thank you for sharing your information. I love to piece backs, but sometimes a quilt calls for a 1-piece back, too. I prefer to get the extra wide instead of having a seam.

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  6. LindaNovember 9, 2011 at 5:31 AM

    Great pics! I loved pieced backs. I love how this quilt looks, front and back :)

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  7. HeatherNovember 9, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    This is turning out very nice! The pieced back is a great idea! :)

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  8. Quilt GeniusNovember 9, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Thanks for the excellent advice!

    Mary
    http://www.quiltgenius.com

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  9. Heather D.November 9, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    Love the pieced back! I most often do a plain backing because usually by that stage in a project, I just want to get it done!

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  10. ShayNovember 9, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    Very cute. I often do pieced backs out of scraps but nothing as elaborate as yours !

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  11. JuliePicklesNovember 9, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    Yes, thank you for the advice. I've never sent a quilt to a longarmer but have been curious because I like to piece my backings. This is great advice and I really love that quilt!

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  12. JenniferNovember 9, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    absolutely stunning!! the pieced backings are fabulous, i love when people can't decide which one they want to be the top! haha keeps the quilt fun

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  13. MaggieNovember 9, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    I loved seeing how this came together. It looks great!

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  14. Foolish FeathersNovember 9, 2011 at 11:33 PM

    thanks for such great tips, some of which I had never considered! I love seeing how everything came together on the back even before i got a good look at the front!

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  15. LeanneNovember 10, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    Interesting, thanks for all the insights. I think you back is lovely.

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  16. Christie describeHappyNovember 10, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    All great tips and I really like the look of your backing!!

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  17. KristyLouNovember 10, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    Good advice if I ever have my quilts long-arm quilted :)

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  18. KirstenNovember 10, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    Love the colours in your quilt. I prefer to use wide backing for my quilt too.

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  19. Elizabeth DacksonNovember 10, 2011 at 8:17 PM

    Have a great time at your quilt retreat! I definitely enjoy pieced quilt backs as well!

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  20. DebbieNovember 10, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    what a beautiful quilt AND quilt back! Nice!

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  21. Michelle RidgwayNovember 11, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    I agree with Debbie lovely quilt and lovely back...

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  22. SaraNovember 11, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    How fun are those colors and I really like the pieced backing--isn't it great to utilize scraps!!

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  23. Marsha CooperNovember 11, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    I won't ever have the chance to machine quilt but your advice sure makes good sense. The quilt is gorgeous too!

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  24. Sarah CraigNovember 11, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    That's a lovely backing, Marcia! I really like pieced backings when I have time to make them - and they're great for keeping the scrap stash down! Whoop whoop!!

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  25. PauletteNovember 11, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Your quilt, both front and back, turned out beautifully. Thanks for the tips on pieced backings.

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  26. KarenNovember 12, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    The pieced backing is a nice addition to the backing. Very pretty quilt.

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  27. CilleNovember 12, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    It's such a stunning, classical quilt. I love it. And thanks for the tips doing backs. It's a very useful checklist...

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  28. AnonymousNovember 12, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    Lucky you, off to Barb's retreat! Give Kim & Barb a big PQ hug for me!

    Whoop whoop, what a fun time you'll have!~

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  29. Baa-Me KniitsNovember 13, 2011 at 5:09 AM

    Nice!

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  30. RachelNovember 13, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    I'm always a sucker for blue quilts. Yours is beautiful.

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  31. Katy CameronNovember 13, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    Great long arm advice, thank you :o)

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  32. LeilaNovember 14, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    I love how you used the scraps. Brilliant.

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  33. AlNovember 15, 2011 at 12:53 AM

    I normally am not the biggest fan of all blue quilts but that one is just beautiful!

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  34. SelNovember 15, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    Love the back and the strong blues and the rows of blocks - very stunning!

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  35. Marci GirlNovember 15, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Very helpful tips, thank you!

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  36. PatNovember 17, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    I like to do pieced backings on lap quilts but I don't bother so much with bed quilts. Love your backing. It would make a stunning quilt on its own.

    ReplyDelete

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