Using Extra Wideback Fabric as Background Fabric

You know I like to make scrap quilts and that is not just because they are pretty and colorful and just the most fun to sew. I also like to make scrap quilts because they are resourceful and make good use of the fabric that I already purchased.

Another way that I like to make good use of my fabric purchase is by using extra backing fabric. You can certainly do this with either 44" wide fabric or 108" wide fabric, but I find that I generally buy colorful, large scale prints when I am buying 44" wide fabric so it doesn't work as well as a background fabric — I just add those leftovers to my stash and treat them like normal yardage. 

More and more often, I have been buying wideback fabric for my quilts because (1) they don't require a seam, (2) they tend to be a little less expensive than buying 44" wide fabric for a quilt backing, and (3) there are fun, cute options available. Many of these fabrics are basic prints (Speckled, Widescreen, etc.) so they have an added benefit: they work well as background fabric. 

Since I mostly make lap quilts, after cutting away the extra wideback fabric, I *might* have enough fabric left for the background fabric on another project and being resourceful like this brings me so much joy. I am truly a fabric nerd.

The Math

Let's say for example, that I am making the Verity Quilt (which is my next pattern). I normally stock up on backing fabrics and buy 4 yards of 44" wide fabric or 2 yards of 108" wide fabric (lots of times 108" fabric is available by the yard or by the 1/2 yard and I would always rather have a little too much than too little).

This pattern happens to require 3 1/2 yards of 44" wide backing fabric or 1 3/4 yard of 108" wide fabric so I already know I'm going to have some extra fabric from the length as well as the width. 

The quilt top is 54" x 66" and I want at least 4" extra on each side so I need a backing piece that is 62" x 74". I'm going to start by cutting off the extra width — I will cut off a 34" (108 - 74 = 34).

Now I need to cut off the extra length, so I will cut off a 10" piece (72 - 62 = 10).

Total Leftover Fabric Yardage

The two pieces that I have left are 34" x 72" and 10" x 74", but how much fabric is that really? You are left with the equivalent of about 2 yards of fabric!

Is Wideback Fabric Different from Regular Quilting Yardage?

You might find the texture of the fabric a little different from regular quilting yardage. Ruby Star Society uses sateen for their wideback prints and other manufacturer's fabrics might feel a little different but I have done this many, many times and have never had an issue. 

Which Wideback Prints Would Work Well?

The two that I have used are Speckled and Widescreen, but here are a few other suggestions:

Cost Comparison

Are Wideback Prints Less Expensive than Using Standard Yardage?

This is going to depend on a lot of factors, but let's compare purchasing 4 yards of 44" wide fabric to 2 yards of 108" fabric which is what you would need to make most lap size quilts. I will use the prices at Fat Quarter Shop for comparison since they have a good selection of wideback prints.

4 yards of Architextures Grey Crosshatch x $11.48/yd = $45.92

2 yards of Widescreen Grey Crosshatch x $19.98/yd = $39.96

Not only is it cheaper, but using the example above of the Verity Quilt Pattern, if I had purchased 4 yards of 44" wide fabric, I would have the equivalent of less than a yard leftover and if I had purchased 2 yards of 108" wide fabric, I would have the equivalent of 2 yards leftover.

In Conclusion . . .

I am always looking for ways to be more efficient and this has been a fun way to make good use of pretty fabric. I hope it helps you make use of what you have!