How fabric do I......?

Question

Ok... So I started making a quilt. Most of the fabric stores only have the widest part of the fabric at 45 inches.The finished top part on my quilt is 62x84. How fabric do I need for the patting and back? Thanks!!

Answer 1

For the backing, I advise buying a double or queen size muslin sheet! Don't even bother with the fabric stores, you will have an off center seam on the back of the quilt. AND sheets are less expensive if you shop right! OR an older sheet you may have will work just fine. Just make sure the measurements of the sheet are at least the size of the quilt top and then some. Turn quilt top upside down on a slick, clean floor, place batting over it, place sheet over batting, then pin all over the place with safety pins! Now you can sew away for the quilting process, remove the safety pins as you sew...that way, the backing and the batting do not get caught up....IF you are using a machine, USE A WALKING FOOT attachment, otherwise, you will get the backing caught up and folds will be sewn in. Put in plenty of safety pins to hold the top/batting/back in place. AND you do not want to scratch your floor when placing the pins. Good luck

Answer 2

Check your fabric store - they may have wider fabric available for the quilt backing. Many places now offer 90" or even 108" wide 100% cotton backing fabric in basic colors and prints. If you can find this, then you'll need 2 yards. If you have to piece your backing from regular fabric, you'll need 5 yards. Cut it into two section that are 90" long, then sew them together along one selvage to make a rectangle that is approximately 80" x 90". Most quilting fabric is closer to 40" - 42" of usable fabric, not 45". You will need the backing to be a couple of inches larger on each side because it will shrink a bit when you quilt it.

As for the batting (the padding), I think you mean that little hairs of the batting came through the fabric last time. This is called bearding, and is common with polyester batting. Use a cotton or wool batting instead, and you won't have that problem. I like Warm & Natural batting.

Answer 3

For the padding you would require what is called Quilting Batting. This can be purchased at most fabric stores. For the backing, you can purchase a large flat sheet (for normal bedding) or sometimes the fabric stores will carry backing. Otherwise you would have to stitch together strips to form the correct size.