Making a scrappy quilt backing is easy to do. I’ll show you how I made a scrappy patchwork pieced quilt backing for my Checkerboard Quilt. Pieced quilt backing is a simple and fun way to add life to the back of your quilt. No one wants a boring quilt back, here’s the down and dirty of how to make one version if you have never done this before.
My Checkerboard free scrappy quilt pattern is 100% scrappy. What is scrappy? Well is you have never heard of this term before, it’s when you use fabric that is leftover from other projects or from fat quarter bundles, half yard bundles or yardage that you bought but never used. Scrappy is mixing up any fabric and using it in your quilt blocks, borders, backing and binding.
Scrappy pieced quilt backings can be simple or fancy. It really depends on your quilt top, your fabric stash, your time and who the quilt is for. I tend to have leftover quilt backing fabric from other quilts I’ve completed. Not enough to cover another quilt but certainly enough to cover a third or two thirds or may half of the quilt. The rest is scrap fabric pieced into panels.
Make sure you check this out!
After you read this post, make sure you also check out How To Learn How To Quilt: Beginner Quilting Guide. It’s jam packed with even more information, links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. It also has a section with free quilt patterns that are great for beginners. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!
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Pieced Quilt Backing – Instructions
Go to your fabric stash and look for large pieces of yardage, and leftover fabric yardage that’s never going to be used. Measure the quilt and determine your quilt backing measurements and add an additional 8 inches to the width and length. This is how large you need to make your backing.
Now create a patchwork backing with what you have. My stash will look different from your stash and that’s the beauty of it. No two quilts will look the same. Plus, the concept is to use what you have. Don’t spend money even if you are tempted.
Quilt Backing – Rows vs. Panels
Rows vs. panels just means the direction of the fabric. If you want horizontal then it’s rows, if you want it vertical then it’s panels. This means which way your make and assemble it, what direction everything will go. If you are making a square quilt, this won’t matter because it’s the same size on all four sides.
If you break down the size of your quilt into sections, it makes this easier on your brain to assemble. My go to number is three sections. Two sections that are same, then one middle section that is different. But that number changes based on how much fabric and the size of the quilt. How different depends on my mood, the weather, if I’m hungry, how much energy I have left to finish the quilt. You get it, right?? Quilters make things up on the fly, but that’s my logic and I’m sure there are lots of you reading this and are laughing because it describes you too.
Three panels contains the scrappiness too. Too much chaos and the quilt is too busy, but one panel in the center with a little chaos is cute, charming and unique. Again, use what feels right to you. Customize the quilt and put your style and stamp on it.
Fabric Stash
Determine if your largest pieces of fabric will cover the length of the quilt. If yes, use those pieces to make life easier. So start there with your biggest and longest pieces. Then fill in the blanks to make panels or rows. Connect the rows together. Now instead of making rows for the backing, try making panels. Three is a good number of panels and then you can add more if you like.
Using the bed for this is hard, it was easier to use the floor but still hard because quilt was larger than the floor space. Just move the quilt as needed, but this was a back breaker to do. Moving things around, pinning, sewing and laying back down to fit it into the puzzle. That’s it in a nut shell.
Leftover quilt backing from wide fabric is the first thing you should look for in your stash. Just lay those large pieces of a work surface and cut to the length you need. I like to have those pieces on the sides and then make it more patchwork in the center. Piece together your smaller yardage fabrics to make a third panel.
Divide quilt into sections
Divide the quilt into sections. Then make panels or rows for the number you need based on quilt size and amount of fabric you have to work with. It’s so easy but it’s a physical task. Don’t be afraid to really mix up the patchwork fabrics. Everything comes together when you quilt it up! That’s the beauty of quilts. They come to life and have their full charm when the are quilted and bound.
Quilt backing posts you may like:
Pieced Quilt Backing Ideas – Super Simple Backs
How to Select Quilt Backing Fabric for Your Quilt Top
Basting, machine quilting and binding posts you may like:
How to Quilt on a Regular Sewing Machine
Machine Quilt with Walking Foot Tutorial
Beginner Spray Basting Tutorial
How Wide to Cut Quilt Binding & Make Easy Strips
Joining Quilt Binding Ends for Beginners
Pieced Quilt Backing – BEGINNER SUPPLIES
Here are some quilting tools and supplies I recommend. I make a small commission if you purchase through the links, this helps to support this free content. For more info, check out Supplies for Beginners (Best Tools To Start).
Rotary Mat Cutting Mat (Self-Healing Mat)
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 Replacement Blades
4.5″ Square Ruler for half square triangles
12.5″ Square Ruler for blocks
Sewing Machine Beginner (see my about me page for more info on sewing machines for beginners to the one I use today).
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If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! My name is Nikki. I’m a weekend quilter, have a super small sewing space and taught myself how to sew and quilt by watching YouTube videos! Just print this post for the free pattern. My blog has How-To’s, Free Patterns and Pattern Reviews. Read more about me here.
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