Let's Talk Backing

    This week has already started with ridiculous heat and a very tired me. A good pick me up or any dreary mood is quilting, and today we need to wrap our mind around the subject of quilt backing. I always believed the back side of a quilt was the one nobody really cared about.

    My heirloom antique style quilts are backed in traditional muslin. This rather natural and neutral approach feels light and homey, lending well to the thousands of tiny hand stitches that span it's space. For years this was my only backing plan; colors or pieced back fabric was not even a consideration.

    Recently the back of my quilts sported print and pattern. Staying close to my comfort zone, the fabric was mild in tone and very lending to the stitch patterns. When planning our spring picnic quilt, I left the back rather open and unassuming, unsure where your tastes may lie.

    These days many quilts sport flirty fun prints all over their backsides. My orange version of spring picnic hosts a soft cream back with small circular patterns- just a faint hint of yellow and brown. So how do you plan for a back? Well, you have to look hard.
    First things first. What are the dominant colors of the quilt top? Above, orange seems to jump out at me on first glance, followed by the blue pieces. Generally, I don't use the dominant color from the front allowing that to be the entire quilt's focal color. Instead, I look for the lighter elements. Here yellow, green, and a hint of brown are present as well as spots of cream.
     The reality is- it is your quilt and how or what you place on the back of it is entirely up to you. Some quilters add an applique or even a pieced strip into their backing as a way of giving a new unique touch. Here is where you could use the left over scraps from cutting the squares. My blue version of spring picnic didn't have much excess to speak of, so that isn't an option for this back.
      A few key points others have shared:
     **when in doubt, yellow always pulls it together. It seems the soft hint of yellow goes well with any quilt top color pallet.
     **decide your desire. Do you want it to seem almost reversible? Or a blended complement? My thought is- stick to the color pallet.
     **confidence is key. How confident are you with your quilting. Patterned or figured backing fabric will forgive any error and hide awkward or uneven stitches.
     **there are no rules. If you like it..use it. The quilt police will not come to your door and charge you with poor fabric choice.

      Take time this week to play with the idea of backing your quilt; no need to rush. Consider the elements, the colors, even the motifs on the top and settle in good with the choice you make.

Putting it Together....

   Last week found me rather put out with ragweed levels high enough to disrupt my sense of accomplishment. Despite the tissues scattered about my sewing room, I managed to stack my neatly squared blocks and get some stitching done. Let's get started, shall we?
 

     With my layout in mind, the blocks are stacked and ready beside the sewing machine. The most important thing to remember with a spit rail design is to be sure the blocks alternate direction. Mine starts with a horizontal block..I will place the vertical block right sides together, lining up the corners. With my 1/4 inch foot still in place, I will stitch the blocks together four across. In the end, I have four rows of blocks four blocks across. Here is a video with some hints and tips for stitching the rows.

     My rows are pressed and set out making sure the blocks are neighbored by opposing blocks: horizontals next to verticals. As you will see, each row has consistent opposing blocks up and down as well as across. Once we are comfortable our blocks layout, it's time to sew the rows together completing the quilt top. Let's meet in this video to stitch those rows together.

      You may notice, the pictures are of an orange based quilt and the video shows a blue and pink quilt. I worked a yellow and orange sampler before starting the videos; they are two different quilts. Hopefully this hasn't been too confusing.
   

       Take a deep breath. Lay that quilt top across the machine and just admire all the hard work you have accomplished. Next week we will take a look at choosing batting and backing as we prepare to baste our quilt together for quilting. Share your pictures and posts- I would love to see your beautiful work!

Come Piece with Me: Square and Style

  Once all our strips are stitched together, we are ready to cut our blocks. Each block will measure roughly 10 1/2 inches by 10 1/2 inches. I use a ruler and rotary cutter, however, you can use a template and traditional scissors if you prefer.

    Layout one section of pieced strips, lining up the bottom. Using a ruler and rotary cutter, cut the rough edges to make a clean end. Move the ruler ten inches over and cut a ten by ten inch square. Set it aside, and continue measuring and cutting until you have finished the section. Notice, I have some extra leftover. Set those aside for an optional use later. 

    Once you have all your pieced sections cut, take a sigh of relief and revel in the moment. Look at what we have accomplished! Isn't it beautiful? Set your blocks aside, turn off your iron, and reward yourself with a glass of tea or a dip in the pool. 

     Here is a little video if you need a little more help cutting your sections.

    Once the blocks are squared up, it's time to decide how they will look in the quilt. In the orange version, my quilt blocks are displayed in the typical 'split rail' layout; vertical next to horizontal. 

        In the picture we see the first two rows. Notice here the blocks alternate; stack one, stack two, stack one, stack two. In the video we will see two different layout options for the quilt blocks. Once you determine the layout you want it's time to stitch those blocks together row by row.

         Next we will stitch each row, and then stitch those rows together. Let's get stitching!

Come Piece with Me: Stitch the Strip

   Today we embark on a new journey together as simple strips of fabric magically become colorful quilt blocks. Before we get going, we need to set our stitch length and fill our bobbins. Let's head to the machine for a few quick checks before we start.

    Now that we are all set, let's get our strips going. I will be working my block left to right as the strips are set out. Taking the strip laying on the left, we place the strip to the right of it on top; right sides together.

   At the machine, we stitch top to bottom with a 1/4 inch seam. Try  to be consistent in the seam allowance. Set the seam with our iron before pressing the piece open..keeping our seam allowance to one side. 

   Place the next strip, right sides together, on top of our inner strip. Stitch in place before setting the seam and pressing open. Stay consistent in the direction our seam allowance faces, this helps in the quilting later. 

    Continue the process until you have all five strips stitched together and pressed. Set that section aside, and work the next stack of strips. Note: you may notice some 'rough edges' where the end of the fabric strips are odd lengths. Don't worry. I noticed my jelly roll strips ranged from 42" to 45". We will clean that up in a little bit. Here's a little video help if you need it.

   Breath a sigh of relief and enjoy the rewards. Next week these sections will be squared up and cut into blocks ready for styling.