I was photographing my quilts to send off to my publisher for my next book and I took pictures of my quilt backs. Then I got to thinking... I have been piecing backs since my 'official' first quilt.... although on my First First quilt I didn't (CLICK HERE to read about that quilt... it's kind of funny!)
When I first started quilting there was a book published that had ONLY Quilt backs, I loved that idea!
I am not a rules follower.. so in the beginning I pieced many quilt backs from random fabric that didn't even go with the front. I just used up things I had.
Then I decided I might as well use up leftover front fabrics. In the quilt back above, these were Fat Quarters and other pieces left over from the project. I used pieces that I was pretty sure I wasn't going to want to use again... how many times can one use rows of ducks in a quilt?
I've graduated to now making my backs co-ordinate with the front.
They often have a colorway that works with the front but doesn't have to be the same fabrics as the front. Once again, I use up fabric I have to clear out stash.. i love doing this!
And at times I'm a bit more selective. When I am creating a backing for a bed quilt I like to add a vertical or horizontal section like this one. If I give the quilt to someone, they can turn it over for a totally different look on the bed, two quilts in one!
How do you handle your quilt backs? I'd love to know!
post continues below ad
