top of page

Solid or Print? What to Think About When Choosing the Backing Fabric for Your Quilt

Writer's picture: Jody JacobsonJody Jacobson

Choosing the right backing fabric for your quilt is an important decision that can affect both the look and feel of your finished project. Whether you’re quilting at home or sending your quilt to a longarmer, here are a few things to consider when deciding between solid and print fabrics.


PRINT FABRICS


Busy Prints: Busy prints can hide the quilting on the back, which can be a great option if you love the print and want it to stand out.


Or....if you’re new to free motion quilting and are machine quilting at home, prints can also camouflage mistakes while you learn. A helpful tip :)


In the image below you can see how the quilting is hidden with the busy prints, but is a fully visible design on the solid backing.


Saffron Blossom pantograph


Low Volume Prints: These fabrics can ‘read’ like a solid, offering a subtle texture without overwhelming the quilt’s design. They provide a nice middle ground between busy prints and solid fabrics. As you can see from the images below, these prints will show the quilting design beautifully, so pick a design you love! My last blog post discusses some of the considerations when choosing a pantograph design.


Driftwood Pantograph

Saffron Blossom pantograph


SOLID FABRICS


Showcase the Quilting: Solid fabrics show off the quilting, making it possible to have two quilts in one! This is especially great for throw quilts, where the back is often seen as much as the front. If you choose a solid fabric, consider using an pantograph design you enjoy to add interest.


Allover Paisley pantograph


Orange Dream pantograph


Coordination: If you’re going to see the back of the quilt frequently (like with a throw quilt or a baby quilt), be sure to coordinate the fabric choice with the top. This ensures a cohesive look from all angles.


Time Warp pantograph


Baptist Fan pantograph


Other Considerations

While this blog focuses on quilting cotton, there are many other options for backing fabrics, such as minky, flannel, or even bed sheets. If you’re interested in learning more about different types of backing fabrics, leave a comment and let me know!


Choosing the right backing fabric can enhance your quilt in many ways. So, don't just rush to the finish line, take a little time to consider the finishing touches.


Happy Quilting!


Jody

Stitchwork Studio


27 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page