Saturday, June 23, 2012

Back to Back...

I just finished the backing for the filmstrip quilt...YAY!  (more on it later).  While working on it, I thought about the backings I've put together for my other quilts.  Some quilters prefer to use a single fabric on the back...nothing fancy.  Why?  I suppose because it's meant to be 'the back'.  Ya know?  Who looks at the back when all the gorgeous piecework and fabrics are on the front!  I get that.  I really do.  

However.  I must say, I actually prefer pieced backings.  I almost always opt to put together my backing with fabrics left from piecing the front of the quilt .  I think it's just more interesting to have a fun back.  As I gazed with love and admiration upon the quilt backing I finished this morning {grin}, I thought that it might just be easier for me to make backings.  Only backings.  And, then, ya know...use them for fronts!  {grin} 

Here are some of my fave backings...with links to the original post so that you can see what the fronts look like, for more information on the quilt and, perhaps, additional photos of the backs.

Whirlygig - I love this big floral fabric!  I pieced two pieces together almost perfectly...follow the link to see a photo of that. 

Carole's Quilt  - This is a single fabric backing, too.  I made this quilt in a hurry, so opted for simple.  This is one of my all-time fave quilts.
 



Postage Stamp Quilt - Another single fabric quilt backing...so many fabrics used in the squares (1296), that simple seemed better.  Plus, I suppose the hours and hours put into making the front did me in.  Well, probably not, but it could have been that I just wanted to be done with it, couldn't it have? 

Okay, so that's enough of that!  Now on to the pieced backings...the ones that are more fun to look at...more interesting...

 My First Quilt - Piecing my backings started with my very first quilt.  I'm not sure how much reading of quilter blogs I had read by that point...probably not many.  But, apparently, pieced vs single fabric was an early decision.  Actually, though, for this one, I think I only had a small bit of fabric left.  I know I don't have scraps of it anywhere.  (And, by the way, this is the only quilt with the brown dog label...I really should do something with that idea.)


Iced Mocha - This blue, chocolate and cream colored quilt was made for me Mum's birthday.  I used to get a bit perturbed because she liked this back so much.  I kept asking her if she knew how much time was put into making the front...but she didn't care.  She thought this looked awesome.  Or something.  {grin}

Ashley's Blush Quilt - This backing is so simple...just 4 rectangles put together.  What makes this one special to me is how the rectangular spiral done with brown thread looks on these solid colored pieces. 
  

Ashley's doll quilt - Usually, the smaller quilts are backed very simply.  But, I couldn't resist playing around with this one (and a few others done at the same time). 

Tag's Blanket - Joanne of Snippets & Scraps of My Mind sent fabrics for this little quilt for Tag.  I couldn't resist fancying up the back (a piece of muslin) with the little blocks in the center.  Case you're wondering...yes, he does lay on this blanket.

Sherbet Pips Wonky Charms Quilt - I think this backing is quite fun! 

Summer Sampler Quilt -  This, though.  One of my very most favorite backings.  I wanted to keep some of the Hope Valley fabric for another quilt, so had only so much that I was willing to use for the backing...but it worked out perfectly!  I love it.  LOVE.  

Kashmir Filmstrip (no link...first time shown) - I think that this may become my all-time fave of the faves.  I cannot wait...can. not. wait. to put this quilt together!  To quilt, bind, and finish it!

So.  What about you?  Which do you prefer...single fabric backings or pieced backings?  Do you have a fave?  Of mine...or of yours?  


Inquiring mind and all that.







"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

10 comments:

kks said...

love the piece backing! or peace backing!
xoxo

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

They are all so beautiful...but the pieced backings are just sublime! You do such amazing work!
Hugs,
Courtney

moosecraft said...

I'm starting to really favor the pieced backings! Too funny that your Mum was giving the back more attention than the front! lol! But, seriously... alot of these backs pictured here could easily be fronts... love the brown dog label! Yes... we need to do something with that! lol!

Angie said...

They are all beautiful and fun! :)

kelley said...

the summer sampler backing is yummy...even for a non purple gal...the kasmir filmstrip is drop dead gorogeous!!!

I prefere pieced backings...love to use odd leftover blocks and large prints when possible...or even make up special blocks and applique for the back...

WoolenSails said...

Beautiful quilts and beautiful finishes on the back. I like whatever I have, lol. If I have a large piece I will use it, but most of the time I have to piece them together.

Debbie

Anonymous said...

I like the summer sampler quilt backing. I also love all my own quilts that you have made. My black and white with a piece of purple. :)
Also Riley's turtle backing on his. Glad you posted Ashley's quilts. Alyssa and I were just really looking at her own quilt today and she showed me which pieces were her favorite on the front. Hers is a single fabric back. She did not know that it takes money to purchase these beautiful quilts!!! She was very impressed!!
Joyce

Lindy said...

As usual the backings are cute, beautiful, and quite whimsical!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Jacque ~
The pieced backings are fun, but the quilt I really love is Carole's quilt, probably because it is more traditional.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Trace4J said...

Beautiful.
Love love love..
Especially the one with the Brown Dog tag!
Awesome..
Hugs
Trace

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