How to Choose the Right Quilt Backing Fabric

A Pieced Quilt Backing Tutorial

image of Easy Charm Square Quilt for Scrappy Quilting

Choosing Quilt Backing Fabric

Do you know how to choose the right quilt backing fabric to finish your quilt beautifully with a pieced quilt backing? There are many methods to create quilt backings. My preferred method is a pieced quilt back that creates more interest in my finished quilt. Generally the easiest backings use large pieces of fabric. The backing I’m sharing with you actually combines both large an smaller pieces. Varying the sizes of fabric pieces used is a great way to add more interest.

This quilt back is also made with leftover fabrics from other projects which makes it very economical. Not only am I using what I already have, but there’s no need to buy more fabric. That’s a double win!

First we’ll start with a very easy charm square quilt. Then we’ll piece the baking, quilt it all together and add a perfect binding!

How To Quilt with Charm Squares

Fast & Easy Charm Square Quilt

This free quilt pattern was initially shown by the Fat Quarter Shop in a charm square challenge they sponsored. It’s a perfect quilt design for all level quilters who love to work with lots of color and fabric. It’s also a wonderful choice for some scrappy quilting if you have some fabrics waiting to be used.

This easy patchwork quilt block is made with 25 charm squares sewn into a square. Then using the disappearing patch method, the large block is cut into 4 smaller blocks. When two opposing blocks are turned around an entirely new design just jumps out!

Quilting For Beginners

Charm Square Baby Quilt Pattern

The easy baby quilt size can be made with just 100 charm squares. This make 4 large disappearing blocks which are sewn together into a large 4-patch. Such a simple technique for a fantastic quilt! You’ll see in the tutorial below just how quickly you can make this quilt!

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My version of this quilt is a lap top size, requiring nine large blocks for a total of 225 charms. I had one layer cake cut into 5” squares plus 1 charm pack for a total of 210 charms squares. For the remaining 5” squares, I pulled some near-solid, scrap batik fabrics together. Not sure how to cut fabrics into charm squares? My ‘How to Cut Fat Quarters’ post give you all the details you need. The colors worked great with the prints and added some nice balance to the whole quilt. Hint: When in need, check what you already have on hand. You bought it because you loved it so make sure you use it!

Charm Square Quilt Pattern

This quilt absolutely surprised me when it was finished. It is such a fun and playful design that keeps you looking for more. This will be a pattern I’ll use multiple more times with different fabrics just to see how it turns out! Sometimes it’s the simplest patterns that let you get the most creative with your fabric choices.

Pieced Quilt Backing

Let’s not forget the backing for this beauty! Have you seen my ‘What’s Your Back Story?’ post yet? It’s a fun play on words, but also a reminder not to overlook the design opportunities for your quilt backs. This quilt needed a bright backing to keep up with the front. After digging through ‘the pile’ again, I found some great fabrics for a creative finish. Even better was using the trimmed pieces from the quilt back. There was enough after quilting to use it as the binding. It all worked perfectly together.