I have had my spiderweb quilt top together for weeks now, but I'm having a hard time settling on a backing. Anything would go on the back of this, and I think that's the problem. It's hard to narrow it down from "anything" to the one perfect fabric.
Originally I was thinking of using a plain creamy white backing, as to not detract from the front. The problem with that is that the white backing is more susceptible to stains, and I want this baby to last a LONG time. At this point I'm planning on red polka dot for the binding but that's not set in stone. Any suggestions on what I should do for the back?
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Yesterday many of you asked how I get my quilt fronts lined up with my quilt backs....and it's not that I'm that good...
It's my tile floor.
I just line the pieced back up with the grid on the floor, and it makes lining up the front very, very easy. Did I mention that this was one of the selling points of the house for me? At first I thought it was weird to have tile flooring in a basement-carpet would be much warmer-but tile sure does come in handy for basting quilts. :)
Since I know someone will ask, I have a basting tutorial here.
Oh and one more thing...Tara answers some questions that you may have about the retreat here.
Happy weekend to you! xo
71 comments:
It's beautiful! Congrats, I just finished my first one last month and they are very time consuming! With little kids I understand not wanting to put white or cream on the back, I chose a floral print that had all the colors in it. Hope to get a completed photo up soon, mine was all blues and yellows. I love your blog, very fun ideas and you sew tons like I do! Thanks so much.
If I were picking a backing for this quilt, I would look for a subtle pattern, perhaps in the tealish blue which appears to be a common element in your spiderwebs. I liked the polka-dot teal blue you used in one spiderweb- something with a pattern but not too wild. Of course, thats just my opinion. Im sure whatever you pick will be fabulous!!
To piggyback of what Andee said...maybe something in a teal/mint color in a light, not-too-busy floral pattern? I think it'd look sharp next to the red polka dot binding. I just love red and teal together.
Tres chic.
Can't wait to see what you decide!
All the beautiful greens are catching my eye. I'm partial to green and it's great about not showing dirt!
PS...this quilt is gorgeous.
What about using the red polka dot on the back and a black gingham for the binding?? Your quilt is GORGEOUS!! I'm sure whatever you choose, it will just enhance it ;-)
Amanda, I really enjoy seeing what you produce -- it makes the workday go much faster. The only suggestion I have for the back is something similar to the crib sheet on the back of the baby blanket that you showed earlier in the week -- the numbers and alphabet would be perfect for hiding a young child (and hiding what stains didn't come out in the wash). Liz
It's really beautiful! I would do a backing like the one you did for your filmstrip quilt. You could still have a bit of white, but also use some of the same scraps from the spiderwebs. Can't wait to see it finished!
i'm going with andee with a nice aqua/teal blue colour... but then saying that a nice jade green would be good too... or maybe... see - I'm no good at deciding either!! :)
What about a multicoloured stripe with red in it so you can still do a red dot binding?
I actually think the red polka dot would be fantastic for the backing ... but that's just me. I absolutely love your top. Great, as always!! Good luck!
I have a thing where the backing I pick has to not show dirt and be incorporated in the front somewhere, not that helps you in a any way. lol
Beautiful quilt top.
I use my kitchen floor grid too. :)
Before I read that you were planning on a red polka dot binding, red polka dot for the backing came to my mind! (But I'm partial to red anyway.) The front is so happy and carnival-ish (in the best way) that I thought the red polka dot would compliment that perfectly.
You could go lotsa different ways and have it turn out super.
I used a polka dot print on the back of mine and solid for the binding. The red polka dot would be great for either binding or backing on yours and, I agree, aqua would compliment the spiderwebs well. Can't wait to see it.
Maybe,..... since the spider webs surround the edges, you could use the plain creamy white fabric as the binding and do the red/white polka dots as the backing. I think its a simple enough pattern for an all over back! AND I love polka dots. Then the plain binding would break up the webs around the edge.
I would do a light green or blue matching the front. Or maybe you could do wide stripes of all the colors you used in the front.
I think you were right on with the creamy white, though. If it weren't for the stain concern I would go with that.
I like the idea of red polka-dot for the binding. How about white with bigger red dots for the back; or red with bigger white dots on the back? Maybe dots on the back and a check on the bias for the binding? Whatever you do, it will be gorgeous!
I too like the idea of a polka dot backing with either a stripe on the bias or a checked gihgham binding. I love your quilt and would love to have you tell me where you found this pattern.
Thanks so much!
I was looking at it thinking "red gingham backing" and then I read your red polka dots idea, and thought, "yeah." Only prewash the heck out of it first. Can you imagine red bleeding all over your spiderwebs the first time you have to wash it? Aiyeeeeee!
I was going to suggest polka dots for the back. I can understand you wanting that quilt to last, a lot of work goes into those spiderwebs.
I vote for flannel on the back in a mix of colors. I find that casual quilts not intended for a specific room get used a lot and family members like them soft and cuddly!
What a beautiful quilt! The greens in the pinwheels pop out at me, so I would probably use a light blue backing, something that would not pick up dirt easily. Blue is also in the pinwheels. The red polka dot binding sounds festive.
I vote for a backing in a small pattern so the stitching disappears and stains will be less noticable. maybe a small plaid or check like the small geometrics in KJR. Im assuming your quilting in white thread. So I wouldn't go too dark but please also consider greys or lemony greens like the micro dot in FMF .. I kinda think the whole aqua thing is a little too predictable but yeah, it would be very pretty.
I love hunting for just the right backing!
I like red with white polka dots personally. Nice and bright. Love your spider web quilt!! Think I'd have to change it's name though, really don't like spiders.
a colour like green or coral or orange with white polka-dots on it. Something with a print.... maybe even Deb Strain from the Fresh line some of those adorable flowers
I use my tile floor too! That is just too cool... Why not use some teal/print fabric and black for the binding? Good luck!
I have to vote with a bright color for the back and frequently go to plaids for my own work. Wouldn't it be fun to hide a little spider in the stiches?
I have 2 ideas.
you could compliment it by backing it with a rainbow stripe that accents all the colours in your quilt
or what about a fabulously wild floral print from Kaffe fassett--oooh that would be so rich.
I think a light blue would be good also. I love love love your blog and your creations!!!!
well...after reading all the comments I'm sure curious to see what you will do! I was wondering if you were going to have to go buy fabric..and if you don't want to do that...piece something with fabric in your stash...I know you're really good at that.:)
Have you considered using a bedsheet as the backing? If you had bought extra matching sheets and pillowcases to go on the bed, it would be quite lovely to coordinate the whole bed and quilt.
I don't think a busy back would detract from the front, but what about a solid red or aqua? With one Big spiderweb block offset?
Your spider web quilt is gorgeous!!! as are all your quilts. (I went to the retreat link and am trying to convince my husband I need a weekend getaway!) I look forward to seeing what you choose for the back.
Thanks also for the explanation of how you get your backs so perfect. Too bad for me ... my last house had tile floors but this one had wood ;-))
That is soooooo pretty! I have no suggestions for a backing. I'm in love with the top!
My husband does all my squaring of quilt tops and backings AND he does the basting too. He's a keeper! ;)
Your spiderweb is a keeper, for sure! I'm liking the aforementioned turquoise or teal/blue fabric idea, I think it would look nice with the red polka dot. I tend to dither endlessly about such things as backing and binding, (and frequently regret my choices!) so I hope you are happy with your choice!
And, as for the tile floor - brilliant! But alas, I am stuck with dirty beige carpeting and wood floors. Do you have a quilting plan in mind for your spiderweb? Can't wait to see it!
i was reading your comments and clicked on the link of the gal who said teal would be too predicitable and she had a print that would be perfect... here is the link http://2ndavenuestudio.blogspot.com/2009/09/day-off.html
it's a red/white/black/teal floral that i think is cute/classic... it would be one of those cute kinda old fashioned trendy quilts that your kids will all remember when you're a grandma... anyway. i really wasn't planning on commenting, but before you do a mild, solid, just look at that print. (it would be great for stains!)
so this may sound odd but that dark fabric srip you have, dark grey or black.. would be perfect! and would hide stains :)
I like your original idea, red with white polka dots! But someone else suggested red gingham and that resonated as well...but what ever you chose will be perfect!
what about a happy sunny yellow something or other for the back.
I second Wendy's comment about using a polka dot for the back and then using a gingham for the binding (or you could just use another polka dot!!)
Viki
Wow AJ....Wow!! I mean....WOW! I can't even imagine having the patience to do that!! Beautiful.
You sure do have a lot of suggestions but really....you'll know what looks good!;)
I like what Tara said about having one off-set spider web in the back until I really looked to see how you put this together and I guess that wouldn't work!;o
Why don't you put a lot of choices on the floor....close your eyes and mix them up and pick one!:)
I saw some polka dots in the webs - maybe a polka dotted fabric similar - light blue or that light mint polka dot is a lovely shade - something like that?
Here's what I think. As I read what others suggested you try I realized that really whatever you decide you are going to love it. There was one suggestion about placing an offset web on the back. I'm not sure why that wouldn't be possible, just a little extra work. The quilt looks lovely, can't wait to see what you end up choosing. You have a great eye. whatever you choose will look great I am sure.
So cute! I don't know that I have enough patience for the spiderweb.
Hmmmm, the best thing to couple with spider webs, is spiders! This time of year there should be some nice spider fabrics in stock at the local shop (or even a few blocks of spiders set into another background. Let us know what you decide to do! Can't wait to see it.
I love your spiderweb and filmstrip quilt. They are gorgeous! I know what you mean about the backing though. I sometimes have the same dilemma. When that happens, I usually will wait until the right one hits me.
Thanks for your quilting tips!! You answered my question nicely!! Yippee I have tiled floors so it will work for me too!
If I were you I would take my quilt top to the fabric shop and see what works- remember to check the sales section first! Something always jumps out and bites me!
Paulette
Is the top square or rectangle? I would be so tempted to make one giant spider web block for the back. If it is square it would be perfect. If it is rectangular you could add a strip or two on either end.
You know me, I just like to force things to be difficult for you!
But the top looks great!
I love the idea of some fresh apple green, that I can see in the blocks, with the red polka dot binding.
Good Luck, it is lovely.
Looks great!! Personally I would go with something polka-dotty. I'm loving them right now. As soon as I saw your spiderweb picture, a tealy green popped in my mind. There you are, my two cents!
Always,
Katy
How clever you are, now I can do more interesting backings, Thanks heaps
It looks so nice too. A few years back there was a kaliedoscope fabric out that was multi colored. Hoffman made it. How much do you need? It would be great if they still have any. It was colorful and would go well with it and the red dotted fabric.
The art teacher in me says if you want to go with the red polka dot (which I think would be wonderful, by the way), one of the bright greens would be awesome b/c they stand out in the front and will pop against the red binding as well.
Backing? Go shopping, girl! This is the best time of year to find "spiderweb" prints!
love All of your quilts!! You have inspired me to get going on more of my own:) Thanks for being so creative.
Cheers Janelle (Australia)
I was going to suggest white for the back, but since you've already though of that, how about a black or a red, with one of your spiderweb blocks thrown in?? I just love pieced backs.
Looks like you've got a lot of great suggestions. I like the subtle teal/blue (that's one of the colors that stand out most for me on the front) -- maybe even a solid in that color. Thanks for the tip on the tile -- I've been wanting to replace my tile with wood, maybe I should reconsider. And Colorado!!! Sheesh, I thought you were going to retreat a little closer to home -- what an exciting place to retreat!!!
I pulled a solid color out of my spiderwebs for the back of mine and then I pieced in a spiderweb block. I really liked how it turned out.
My studio has square tiles too...it's such a great basting floor. I was going to change it...(cause it's pretty ugly), but it's so practical...it stays. i'm sure what you decide will be wonderful!
Well, before you said you were thinking red polka dot for the binding, I was thinking red for the backing. Do you have any more little pieces? Maybe you could do a couple pieces stripes on a white background...oh wait...you're wanting to avoid the white. Hmm...
Oi amiga.
Seu trabalho está espetacular.
Bom fim de semana para voce.
bjtos.Nile.
Eh, I guess you don't need my opinion heaped on top of others, since there have been some great ideas. Off the top of my head I also thought aqua or mint green -- either a solid or the polka dot. Honestly, I wouldn't do something as busy as a floral since you have so much going on on the front (which I LOVE!). Whenever I have a complex quilt, I try to go with a simpler back. Just me though. xo
I am working on a quilt that is being made up of small pieces like yours. I'm planning to use a wide yardage for the backing (cannot imagine piecing for the back too).
Well, I'd look for a design with little spiders on!!
Personally, the red jumps out as a key colour for me - if your doing a red polka binding how about just a plain red?
I think a polka dot backing or simple (monochromatic) floral might look nice on the back. The teal/blues are catching my eye too.
Okay, I admit that I did not read all 64 comments before I made mine so forgive me if I repeat what someone else has said. You have used a spiderweb pattern for top. I would look for a cute spider pattern--a small, all over pattern--to compliment the spiderweb on the top. You know, something at a distance that will read close to a solid but will have a wonderful surprise when you look closer. With Halloween coming up you should be able to find something cute.
Funny that you mentioned polkadots in red in the end. I hadn't finished the post but stopped to think and felt immediately that you should have something red on the backside and came to the conclusion that a strong red with little white dots should have personality enough to be a great backing for the web. Then I don't know... white with little red dots around the edges? Or that might be too bleak. I have no idea but I really think red with white dots as backing.
Here are some spider prints or prints of other bugs that might have gotten caught in the spiderweb.
http://www.hartsfabric.com/cotton-prints-butterflies-and-bugs.html
I suggest maybe a green or a teal in a small print that you love to look at....either of these colors would be wonderful paired with the red polka dot binding....I love the quilt. scrappy=happy for me!
x
lori
I think you should go with a teal blue for the background.
That tile floor is a great idea for lining up quilts!
A bit jealous of that tile floor for basting quilts :) Lucky you!
have you thought about yellow? it would have to be the perfect shade with a very simple print. yellow is a great color when using all colors....it stands out nicely and brings out the other colors too. good luck finishing it
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