How to Select Quilt Backing Fabric for Your Quilt Top

Today I’m sharing how to select quilt backing fabric. Plus, you will learn how to shop successfully in fabric stores and keep your purchase budget friendly. The best quilt is a finished quilt, we can do this!

It can be challenging to find just the right backing fabric for a quilt top especially when you don’t have any fabric leftover. If you’re like me, I always buy backing fabric when I’m done with the quilt. Others are smart and get all of the fabric at one time. Sadly, I’m just not one of those people. My quilts need to speak to me and I need to know who will end up with it. So let me walk you through how I selected backing for four quilt tops for the best price.

Selecting the best quilt backing fabric is challenging. The best place to shop is your local fabric store. Now these stores usually have racks in the back of discounted fabric that won’t break the bank. Depending on your quilt size, you may need 3 to 7 yards of fabric and this can add up when you pay full price. Check out my shop like a pro post if you need more detailed info.

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THESE OUT!

After you read this post, make sure you also check out Learn How to Quilt for Absolute Beginners. It’s jam packed with information to make your first quilt. It also has links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. There’s lots of free quilt patterns that are great for beginners and all skill levels too. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!

Make sure you grab a copy of my Quilt Planning Journal, filled with graph paper and some note pages to help you design at least 4 quilts or sewing projects! I have been using mine for a little while and already I am jotting down ideas as I see them and reminders about websites where I have seen some ‘must have’ fabric, so I think this can be so much more than just a design book. Pin in fabric swatches, photos of your finished quilts and enjoy your creative process!

Quilt Backing Fabric – Fabric Stash

Obviously the first place you are going to look for backing fabric is your current stash. Yardage is needed unless you do a patchwork back. Check out my pieced quilt backing ideas post for more suggestions on that method. But for this post, we are going with one fabric to cover the entire back plus more fabric for the binding. Note: Most of my quilts binding that is different from the backing to give contrast and make it pop.

If you are like me, you don’t have enough yardage in your stash of one fabric. So this means you need to buy new fabric. Before you go shopping, check the ads or apps for coupons and sales. Now the fabric store is always the first place I go shopping and for the fabric that is discounted at $3.49 a yard. More on this below.

Where and How to Shop – Quilt Backing Fabric

Bring your quilt top

Now I make a lot of items for this blog, but completing a full quilt takes a lot of time and most of my samples are just the quilt tops. That means there is a stack of unfinished quilt tops and the pile is way too high! I want them finished and out of my line of sight. Everyone has their own process for this, there is no right or wrong answer. You might find my way interesting, so I’ll share it with you.

Have a plan

Fabric shopping is dangerous if you don’t have a game plan. You can waste half a day in the store and spend a fortune if you are not organized. Grab each quilt top and fold it up in a plastic grocery bag or any other bag. Why? You need to match the fabrics on the quilt top, you want your backing fabric to work with the other fabrics.

Craft Store

Joann will offer coupons for 40% and 50% off one regular price item, but you need to check weekly because it’s not offered a lot. This is a great option if you don’t have a local fabric store with discounted fabrics. This store also has a very limited selected of wide back fabrics. Look for the grey wide backing, this color tends to work well with most fabrics if you are in a pinch.

Fabric Store

There are several reasons why I love the fabric store. First, they change out the fabrics every few months in the discount section. It’s not the same old stuff every time I go there which is a good thing. Second, the prices are good and so is the quality of fabric from popular designers. Third, the gals at the cutting counter will help you determine how much fabric you need. They use their yard stick and confirm my guestimate. All of these reasons are why I go here first.

Here are my quilt tops and the backing fabrics I selected below. All of these fabrics were in the discount section, standard width. Cost per yard was $3.49, very budget friendly.

Here’s My Selection Process

Grab a shopping cart, place your bag with the quilt tops in the cart and go find the wide quilt backing fabric section first. This fabric section will be larger than the craft store but still a limited selection. I found Ruby Star Society wide backing the last time but too expensive. See what they have and if any will go with your quilts. Make a mental note but don’t pick any yet. Instead, head over to the discount racks.

When you are in the discount rack section see if they have any wide backing first. Wide backing is the easiest because it’s wide enough for most quilt sizes except king or California king. With standard fabric, you need to join the fabric to made it wide enough and these are extra steps making it the second option for most.

The wide fabric with the farmhouse print by Lori Holt in low volume and didn’t go with my stuff. So then I looked for my discount standard fabric by designer. The fabric store has it posted so I know where to go. Go to your favorite designer section and pull out your quilt tops. Look for fabric that is in your quilt top first. Obviously, using one fabric from the quilt top is preferred. If you can’t find a fabric that’s in your quilt top, then choose a solid color with a tiny print from that same designer if possible. Audition it with your quilt top by laying the backing over the top. See how the color plays with the top.

Also, decide who the quilt is for when selecting your backing fabric. For instance, my log cabin child’s throw quilt is going to my granddaughter (age 11) or my niece (age 4). I look at the colors in the quilt selected for each child and then think what color is their favorite. This really helps when you know who you want to gift it to or keep for yourself. Pick the color or colors they like best.

Quilt Backing Fabrics – My Quilt Tops and Backing

Here are the fabrics and why I selected them for my 4 quilt tops. There are posts and free patterns for all of these linked below for all but one.

Chevron Quilt

This one is ear marked for my sister Kim, I really want to give quilts out for Christmas presents this year and not just one person a year. I hope my family members don’t read this post! My sister likes the Ralph Lauren vibe and Americana colors of red, blue and white. This dark blue backing fabric works well with the Lori Holt prim fabrics.

Pinwheel Quilt

What an easy half square triangle pinwheel quilt with scrappy fabric. More Lori Holt but not sure which line. Again, this is a child’s throw quilt and will probably go to my niece Charlotte who is four, turning five very soon. She likes pink, she can use this to play with her dolls on. The quilt backing fabric is Lori Holt so I know it will play nice with the other fabrics.

The pinwheel quilt top was completed in November 2023. Can’t believe it’s still unfinished. Not to worry, I’ll post the completed quilts when I get them all done to show them off!

Flight Quilt

The Flight quilt is one of my entries to this years county fair. I’ve been struggling with how to machine quilt this one. It’s tricky because the geese are not going in the same direction. Really need to learn how to free motion quilt ASAP. I really love this quilt but may gift it to my mom for Christmas. That backing fabric is perfect for her house and the colors would look great in her family room too! She needs a proper quilt hanging over a chair or the sofa. It would add even more charm to her already cozy room.

Log Cabin Quilt

One last quilt top to share, child’s log cabin throw quilt that’s scrappy and gorgeous. There were so many log cabin blocks that were made with all the fabric I purchased. I made a king size quilt, full size quilt, two table runners and this was the final quilt.

No sashing or cornerstones for this but it has a double border. Been seriously thinking about changing out the border but not sure how to embellish the quilt top. Anyway, selected this yellow quilt backing fabric. I’ve never used yellow backing and this may go to my hairdresser’s little girl, her name is Dixie. Isn’t that the cutest name ever!!

Adding Contrast Fabric to Quilt Backing

Have one fabric for the backing is fine, it’s very clean and that’s fine. However, it’s nice to add a wide strip of white fabric or a background fabric that was used on the front to give your quilt back more personality. Again, check out my pieced quilt backing ideas post for detailed info.

Happy Quilting!

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Rotary Mat Cutting Mat (Self-Healing Mat)

28 mm Rotary Cutter

28 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades

45 mm Rotary Cutter with Sharp Blade (start with this one)

45 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades (start with this one)

60 mm Rotary Cutter

60 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades

5″ x 20″ Straight Line Ruler

4.5″ Square Ruler for half square triangles

12.5″ Square Ruler for blocks

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Universal Sewing Needles

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ABOUT SEW NIKKI

If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! I’m Nikki, a maker obsessed with quilting, crochet, and all things fabric. Here, you’ll find easy-to-follow patterns, helpful tutorials, and plenty of inspiration for your next handmade project. Whether you’re stitching up a cozy quilt, crocheting a vintage-inspired blanket, or diving into upcycled sewing, I’m here to make the process fun and stress-free. Grab your fabric (or yarn), and let’s create something beautiful together!

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