I just got back home from a vacation with my family (more on that soon) so I'm trying to figure out what I want to start working on. I don't really like working on more than one or two projects at a time so I think I'll finish this improv patchwork quilt top that my daughter and I started a few weeks ago.
While I mixed in other fabrics, most of the fabrics in this quilt are from a fat quarter bundle of Meadow by Leah Duncan.
I was hoping to have enough of the bundle leftover for another project but that might not happen. Why? Well, I actually made the backing for this quilt first and it is huge. I think at least half of my fabric stash is novelty prints and while I love these fabrics, I just don't use them as much anymore - at least not enough for them to occupy so much shelf space. However, instead of destashing (which I usually do by giving fabric to my daughters to use), I decided to piece a bunch of backings for future projects (well, I've only actually made one backing so far.) And yes, I could just save this backing for another project but since as I said, I don't like having too many WIPs, I've decided to make the meadow quilt top large enough to match this backing. Plus, big quilts are better for cuddling under, right?
Have you done this before? Made the backing first? Made something specifically to use up your stash of a certain fabric? Actually, it will be great when I finish the top that the backing is all ready to go - don't you think?
I have definitely created projects before (and recently) to simply destash! And I love the idea of having the backing done so that once the top is done it will feel like you skip a step and are almost done. :)
ReplyDeleteI have never done that before actually as the backing normally comes to me in the middle of the top... this might be something to give a shot for though! Maybe a quilt where both sides are decorative and able to be used... or look like the "front".
ReplyDeletelove both the top and the back, this will be one gorgeous quilt.
ReplyDeleteNope. I usually use snuggly fleece for the backing so no piecing anything. Yours is looking good!
ReplyDeleteI've never made the backing first, but I did make a rainbow quilt that uses lots of not quite low volumes - all those prints with lots of different colours on white that looked so useful at the time, except for the fact I don't use many multicoloured prints. I designed that one specifically to use some of those prints.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've done those things. However, I don't think I've ever had just one or two projects going at a time in the entire 40+ years I've been quilting. Isn't it interesting the different ways our brains work?
ReplyDeleteNever done the reverse method. I usually take scraps from the front to make the back, leftover fabric and blocks get pieced to make the back. This helps cut down on scraps. Good for you by only having 2 WIP at a time ... I can only wish.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and then when the top is done--bam!
ReplyDeleteI have so many fat quarters that I don't care for anymore. I should use them up this way. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThat's kind of putting the cart before the horse, doing things a$$ backwards, and I'm all in favor of that! It really doesn't matter, as long as it gets used and you are doing what you are happy doing. Right!!! I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.
ReplyDeleteClever of you to use novelty fabrics in the backing. Doesn't it feel good to air out the stash!?
ReplyDeleteI've not done it backwards before but I have pulled a few fat quarters and largish cuts from my stash to piece into a back. It felt nice to destash some fabrics that I would probably never use in a top, but still make them useful!
ReplyDeleteI have never done the backing before the top, but I love the idea, give you more time to think about the front of it, and also it sets the size of it.
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't made the backing first. The closest I have come is to make the binding before the backing, and then incorporating the leftover binding fabric in a pieced back.
ReplyDeleteI do have a large piece in my stash that I bought to back a quilt for my mum. She didn't like it so I bought another fabric. I still have and like the original fabric and it is earmarked for a project that has stalled for a few years. I will probably make sure the front is the right size to fit the backing fabric I have. Does that count?
Such a smart idea to make a backing for later projects! I love the way this top is turning out!
ReplyDeleteNo I haven't made a backing first. However, I may just do that now coz I loathe piecing the backing once the top is finished. It's seems like a drag in what has so far been such a fun process. It's up there with basting for me! It would make it like I'm ahead if the backing was already made. Lord knows there's enough fabric in my stash to make ample backings!
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