Sunday, April 23, 2017

Oh Scrap! : Backings

For me, making scrap quilts is like upcycling found objects.  Making a pretty quilt top from bits of fabric that might have otherwise ended up in the trash appeals to my thrifty self.

So once I complete a scrappy quilt top, the last thing I want to be faced with is spending a lot of money for the backing fabric.  In fact, for the most part, I hate spending a lot of money on any of my quilt backings - except for a few very special projects. 

So I am always on the lookout for a good sale!



I try to buy all of my backings for about $5 - $6 a yard or less.  When I see a good price, I buy between 4 and 6 yard cuts.  And I get super excited when I find a GREAT sale like on the three backings I recently added from Connecting Threads.  While I was initially interested in their wide backing sale, I saw they had lots of cute fabrics in their clearance section that were a mere $3 a yard.



The Good Neighbors fabrics were being clearanced so I also filled my cart with some one yard cuts, that I know I can use for baby quilt backings and bindings.



So if you are wondering what I look for when I buy backing fabrics for my stash?  Here are a few more examples of some from my stash.  I look for pretty backings that are one of three things.

1.  Multi colored with nice bright colors
2.  Monochromatic fabric in single colorways
3.  Fabrics in colorways that are either all hot hues or all cool hues

Fabrics I try and stay away from unless I have a specific use.  (I find these types of fabrics sit in my stash for a really long time.)

1.  Gray, Black and Brown fabrics
2. Novelty and Holiday fabrics
3. Low Volume
4. Prints with muddy colors

I find that having a nice rounded backing stash on hand ensures my scrap quilting doesn't break my wallet.  Which simply means I get to sew more  :)

Do you buy backings for your stash?


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Linking Up:

Love Laugh Quilt (Monday Making)
Patchwork Times (Design Wall Monday)
Cooking Up Quilts (Main Crush Mondays)
Em's ScrapBag (Moving it Forward)
Molli Sparkles (Sunday Stash)

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17 comments:

Julie in GA said...

I agree about hating to spend a lot of money on backing fabric. Connecting Threads is one of my favorite sources for low-priced fabrics.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I have some of those same fabrics in my stash now, too! It's time to make the backing for my scrap jar star quilt. Enjoy your day, Cyndy!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Check out these two for really great sales and end of bolt remnants - Christian Lane Quilters and Backside Fabrics. I like putting nicer fabrics with prints on the back to cover any wobbles in the quilting.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Unless I'm buying backing along with the fabric for a quilt, I tend to save that for after the top is together. I prefer to have the store STORE the fabric (because my sewing space is already OVERFLOWING with stash fabric!!) That being said, when I do buy backings, I look for large scale prints that continue the color story on the front of the quilt to provide a unified whole or add a bit of whimsy.

Jayne said...

I usually buy backings in solids. My safe place. But it has to be a good deal. I buy from 3-6 yards at a time. I love a good deal. If a good deal happens...I buy!

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl said...

This is honestly something that I am not very good about myself. Great purchases and bargains!

Cathy said...

I agree...I'm always looking for a good deal on anything!!! I recently did the same as you...stocked up on fabric for backings at Connecting Threads.

Quilter Kathy said...

Good Neighbours is on clearance?!?! I'm hopping over there right now... thanks for the heads up!
I do have some stash backings, but would like to be more thoughtful about collecting them when I see them on sale.

Havplenty said...

I do bargain shop for backing stash fabrics. There are several online places to do so and Connecting Threads is surely one of them. 5 Bucks A Yard is another great site for $3.99-$5.99/yd fabrics, all name brand. And there is always Handcock's of Paducah in their Shop by Price sections.

Let's not talk about fabric stash... :)

Marie said...

I take a page from your book when it comes to backings and am always on the lookout for a great deal. Looks like I've done a good job too as I counted over 30 when I was sorting out my sewing room lately. I had no idea!

Pamela Arbour said...

Way to go! I have never been disappointed in their fabrics. I buy all of my solids from them when they are 30% off and also their batting when it is on sale. Free advertising here! LOL I really like the quality of their solids.

Marianne said...

I dislike the quality of Connecting Threads fabric after trying two kits and some wide backing. I do try to save though and can usually find something on sale. I quit buying sale fabric for a what if project as it seems I never use it. It's better that I wait and buy on an as needed basis. I think I'm picky about what I put on my backs!

Nann said...

Like you, I seek out great sales for backing fabric. The Hobby Lobby clearance racks are a good source. I also buy 100% cotton sheets at thrift shops. I look for busy prints that will camouflage the deficiencies in my quilting.

Nann said...

P.S. Another source: Joann's Red Tag when there's a 50% off sale.

Tami Von Zalez said...

I usually have to buy fabric retail for my backings. I just discovered the clearance section of one of the fabric retailers so I will be checking that often.
I think backs can sometimes be more interesting that the quilt top depending on how they are pieced.

em's scrapbag said...

Good tips for buying backs.

Lisa S. said...

I don't stash backings and I really need to start. I have had to do some hard core piecing on the latest quilt backs I've made. Sometimes that's a pain.

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