QUILTERS- I need to know about the backing fabric of a QUEEN size quilt-If you use a 45 in fabric,how do you piece? Do you make 1 center seam, and if so, will that be wide enough to bind over the top ? (I want to use the backing over the outer edge to come up on the top fpr my binding,if possible.) OR do you cut the length of the quilt twiceand split one length in two,so that you have a wider piece in the middle and two equal pieces running on each side of the center piece? Also, she is going to use it as a comforter with a bed ruffle,so I need to make it go down enough on the sides and end so..What size do you think the finished quilt should be ? I looked up on pc but I want the opinion from actual quilters/people that use them. Also how much yardage at 45" would I need?-I know this is a lot of questions,but I really appreciate your input on this.I have to have it finished by end of next month.-Toogie

Hi Toogie, I never have a seam in the centre of the back. I buy twice the length of the quilt plus 20cm (8ins) extra (my quilter likes to have a good 10cm (4ins) extra around all sides) for my backing fabric which is usually 115cm (45ins roughly). Then I cut the extra piece in half and cut off the selvedges (as they pucker) and sew each section to the middle section. Thereby having 2 seams closer to the edge of the quilt. I hope you can understand this. I also have a good hangover on the sides and bottom of the bed. I, like rachap, love to have my quilts over 240cm (8 feet wide). Love Chris

"A queen size bed is 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. Unfortunately most fabric is either 45 or 60 inches wide. To make a queen size comforter you must sew two or more lengths of fabric together. Comforters look odd with a seam up the middle, so it is best to use a full width of fabric in the center of the comforter and place your seams toward the sides." Copied from EHow.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_7750060_...

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by toogie 18 Jun 2014

My husband says when he covers he wants it to actually cover him,so he likes it plenty wide.He says you are not flat, like the bed, so you need it wider to keep you covered once you are in.I did get the 3 lengths of fabric.

John Flynn, inventor of a very unique quilting system, has also put together some plans for a stress-less backing, where there are no fold or seam stresses. It involves cutting the fabric on the diagonal, and then stitching it back together so that you have a much larger rectangle. I think that if you have the space to do this, you will love the results. I'll post a PDF of his instructions, and if you want more information, search by his name and you'll find a lot of thinking outside the box. Good luck, and have fun!! (Well, maybe this won't be the PDF; not sure now).

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by toogie 18 Jun 2014

Maybe if I was more experienced-lol

However you piece the back together, it is recommended to cut off the selvages. During washing and drying it shrinks more because of the tight weave and causes puckering.

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by toogie 18 Jun 2014

I did that for my piecing and borders,but thanks for the reminder.My fabrics were prewashed.I should wash the backing fabric or not?

by lori2 19 Jun 2014

I would prewash it, especially since all the other fabric were.

by toogie 19 Jun 2014

I thought I should too,but it just doesn't look as 'new' after it's washed and ironed.

I see you have several good answers so just a couple of suggestions. I like to make my queen quilts 92 x 92 or is the mattress is one of the new deep ones 95 x 95. What might be easiest for you on the backing is to just buy 9 yards-maybe you will luck into a sale-cut it into 3 yd lengths and seam them together. That way you can center the quilt on top of the backing and you will have plenty around the top, bottom and sides to bring it to the front & bind. I love to do the binding and to me It is easier to put on a seperate binding-I know, I'm weird! I think if you wanted to do a seperate binding you will have enough to cut off at the sides to make 2 1/2 inch strips for a straight of grain binding. Good luck and be sure to show a picture.

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by toogie 18 Jun 2014

When you make your 2 1/2 in binding,do you fold it in half,wrong sides together and press.Then machine stitch to your outer quilt edges,fold over and then stitch on the fold? or how do you do it,if not like this?

by lori2 19 Jun 2014

I sew my binding strips together on a 45 degree angle, then fold in half and press. This spreads out the bulk of all the layers when folded and stitched on the quilt. Machine stitch to the top side of the quilt, fold to back and hand stitch. If you want to machine stitch the binding on I would sew the binding to the back side of the quilt, and topstitch it on the front side, so you can see the edge easy. For me this is much neater.

by toogie 19 Jun 2014

Thanks lori2,I had the right idea.

by rachap 20 Jun 2014

Just looked in on this thread. Been busy finishing up a quilt of my own and getting the binding on. i do it like lori2 says as I enjoy the hand stitching & I can never seem to get a neat stitch in the ditch or top stitch when I try to do it by machine. How are you coming along?

by toogie 20 Jun 2014

I haven't touched it this week.I had to wait for the backing fabric to come in, and in the meanwhile, I have had some back problems again.Been taking a break,if you can call it that, till my back feels better.I 'know' I am not suppose to lift, but my husband was unavailable when we needed him. Trying to be better for the wedding tomorrow night of my oldest grandson,then hopefully I can get back to the quilt.I just have a few more blocks to make.I want to make some out of the backing fabric and then sew them altogether,after we decide how to place them. I am worrying over quilting it on my machine,without pinching the backing.I know they say to pin,pin pin.

I recommend that you use a full width in the center and then cut your other piece in half and sew one to each side of center panel. This will reduce the stress on the seams when the back is on the quilt. Works quite well

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by toogie 18 Jun 2014

I think it would look better too,thanks

A queen size mattress is 60"x 80". The mattresses today can be very deep, so you will need to know this measurement. To go to the bed ruffle your quilt will need to be the mattress depth x2 plus 60" wide, and the depth 1x plus 80" for length. You may need 3 lengths of 45" fabric. Bringing the backing up and wrapping edge is easier, but it doesn't wear as well as putting on a separate binding. It is best to leave several inches of backing and batting around all 4 edges of your quilt before you quilt it. A large quilt sometimes gets a little larger as the quilting flattens it. Choosing a quilting design is always challenging for me. I am going to my sewing room to work on that, as soon as I'm off this computer. My quilt has many different stars on it, so I will probably do an all over design.

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by toogie 18 Jun 2014

I did buy 3 lenghts of fabric to be sure I had enough.Thanks for the info.

Is the quilt top done yet? If so, perhaps a picture would help us help you with quilting ideas...

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by toogie 18 Jun 2014

I just have the blocks made,at least all but the ones like the backing fabric.Mind you,this is nothing spectular,just scrap fabrics mostly.I don't know about 'tones' or color wheel,etc. just using what she likes (there are a couple 'I' don't like, but its her quilt).If I have the right idea,I sew the blocks together,then I measure the sides and top,bottom.I am not mitering, so do I put the top and bottom border first, or the sides?I do know the sides are to be equal and also the head and foot even. It has two borders or frames,whatever you call them,but in between is the prairie points or saw teeth.

I myself have not made a queen size as of yet. Some quilts that I have seen have blocks from the front on the back. Hope that helps.
Happy Stitching.

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by toogie 16 Jun 2014

We two are alike then,as I have only made the bluejean,queen size.I have made baby quilts but nothing this size before.I think I know what you are talking about.My sister is doing big blocks with her top and backing,quilting as she put these together.I'm not sure if I really like that.I wanted to try to quilt it all together.Wish me luck!-lol

On any Queen siz and bigger that I have made Toogie I put the full width in the middle top to bottom and then piece equally on each side, as you mention above " cut the length of the quilt twice and split one length in two,so that you have a wider piece in the middle and two equal pieces running on each side of the center piece" This way will work if you are also making it wide enough to drop down on the sides of the bed to cover the mattress and just show the bed skirt....some one else may have other ideas ... have fun ...

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by dragonflyer 16 Jun 2014

....usually me, too! Although I have been known to seam across the horizontal middle, too, depending upon the print of the fabric...

by toogie 16 Jun 2014

This is what I thought if it will give me enough to turn back over the top,at the outer edge.Do you think it would? or do you think I should make a small binding? The quilt is just a plain pinwheel, but it has a narrow white strip about 2 in and then a 6 in white strip with prairie points, sewn in between these two white strips.Also Glenda, I am going to 'try' to quilt it by machine.If you are familar with this design,how would you quilt? In the ditch or around each triangle? she wanted the high loft look.Personally I like the flat stipple or meandering look. I also wondered, how to quilt the white, 6 in stripping or border? Any ideas?

I do know that you run the seams, up and down the quilt, not across cuz the seams will pull loose, when tugging on the quilt in bed. Does that make sense to you?

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by toogie 16 Jun 2014

Yes,it does make sense.Thank you

I always use a flat bedsheet so that I don't need to piece, and also it is usually cheaper that way. Sorry I am not any help with the piecing, as far as the size of the quilt if you are able I would just measure the size of her bed with the drop included

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by toogie 16 Jun 2014

I had thought of using a sheet, but she wanted this print/vintage look, and the sheets didn't give us much option.