Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Off Center 4 Patch Backing

I had some questions about one of the pieced backs I frequently use - an off center 4 patch. I like using this back when I don't have enough of a single fabric to make the backing and when I don't have time to piece multiple fabrics together. In a nutshell - this is how I make the back:

I take 2 pieces of fabric that are long enough to cover the width of my quilt plus 8-10 inches. (my selvages are running horizontally here and the WOF is going to provide the length I need).

I trim one selvage off each fabric and sew the two together.


I make an offset cut so the seam won’t fall in the center of my quilt. (see vertical line)

Flip one side around and sew back them together to create the 4 patch.

This gives me a backing that is about 84 – 88 inches long and to offset my horizontal seam – I just position my quilt near the top of my backing rather than centering it. I also don't worry about having the top and side exactly even although they are in this picture.

14 comments:

Silverthimble said...

I love your 4 patch backing! Thanks for sharing this tip.

Kim West said...

thanks for sharing your tip.. it is definitely a keeper.

Anonymous said...

A VERY cool idea - thanks :-)

Patti said...

Thanks Mary! LOVE this idea! I'm most definitely going to use it.

Beth said...

Thanks for the pictures Mary...I 'get' it now! This will definitely use this tip...

Helen in the UK said...

Great idea - thanks for sharing :)

Carol said...

I love it...what a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

Vicky said...

I love that! Thanks for sharing it. I'm piecing whatever is leftover from the front onto the back - will definitely be able to use your technique!

Hugs

Anonymous said...

I like the backing technique! Very different, yet easy to do. Thanks for sharing.

tami said...

That's a great idea. I'm going to file it away for future use.

Cynthia said...

what a great idea for a backing. Thanks for sharing this with us Mary.

Shelina said...

That's a great idea. Thank you for sharing the tip. That fabric is fabulous though - I would have used it for a front.

Anonymous said...

That is a wonderful idea. I like backs that aren't one piece, much more fun looking at them. On my next one I'll use your idea. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tip! Thanks so much

Starquilter