Quilt Backings

When I make my T-shirt quilts and Memory blankets, I ask my clients what type of backing they wish to have as well as what color and size of border they prefer.

I offer fleece, cotton or microfiber and the reason is that these are items I can get in a wider size.  Typically, the average size for my quilts is 72-80" x 80-95".  This is the size without the border.  I prefer to not have a seam running down or across the back, so I have found that I can use a fleece blanket - queen or king sized, or a cotton king or queen sized sheet to give me plenty of width for the back.

Micro Fiber Backing

Fleece Backing

Cotton Backing

I love the internet, since its easy enough to check out prices and delivery times for both types of material, and I have also discovered a significant cost savings.  The only issue I have ever run across is color choice.  Since I let the customer pick what color they wish for the back/border, sometimes the T-shirt colors or the customer preference is one that is not such a common color.  In this case, if I am not able to locate a blanket or sheet in the correct color, there is always the option of finding the correct color and material at my local fabric store, and if I am not able to find it in an extra-wide width, I end up with that darn seam!  The funny thing was, until recently, I did not know that I could get the material in 108" width!  However, it is typically more that I like to spend on the backing, as I like to keep my pricing as low as possible.

In addition, since I prefer to "self - bind" or wrap the quilt using the backing, I need to be sure that I allow enough width in my selection to double the border size on all sides of the quilt.  If my quilt ends up to be larger than I expected, I can always use a binding strip to make my borders.  So far, I have been lucky and have always found a large enough blanket or sheet to accommodate my custom quilts.

I have used Amazon, Walmart and even Target to find my backings, since these are convenient and quick deliveries for me.

I always wash the backing material before I sew it into my quilt sandwich, since the t-shirts are already well used and have been washed many times!  The picture below is a queen size black fleece blanket that I used for the quilt on the right, including a 2" border.  As you can see, the only seams are the quilted "squares" from the front T-shirts - also known as "blocks" in the quilting world.

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