Adventures in Hand Quilting

Backing out of a Backing

tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles

This is an update on the recycled denim and home decor fabric quilt I am hand quilting – What Direction Do I Go, that I previously updated you on in the post What’s Going on in the Studio.

I had this home decor/upholstery weight fabric as a backing:

OUCH! That did not work well for hand quilting! It was difficult to get the needle through the denim quilt top, the batting and the backing!

So then I tried taking off the backing, to put on later when I was done quilting using some type of envelope backing method, and just hand quilting with the quilt top and the batting.

BAD IDEA! My lap ended up covered with lint from the backing – ick! My sweatpants were a FUZZY MESS!

So I found a new backing for the quilt, this time a thrifted recycled cotton table cloth – very easy to sew through.

So now back to working on hand quilting it (after I trim down the backing a little and re-press/iron the quilt top again).

Per the advice one of my blogging buddies gave me, I only work on quilting it until my fingers get tired. I wasn’t going to use a hoop, but I think I might try out a large-ish old hoop I have and see how it is to hand quilt it using that (if I can close the hoop with the thickness of the denim!)

Published by tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles

Quilter, crafter, obsessive tea drinker and lover of all furry creatures (especially dogs and cats) - join me on my tierneycreates blog as I share stories from "A Crafter's Life".

28 thoughts on “Backing out of a Backing”

  1. Ah, such is the life and physical demands of a creative (he)artist…I understand that extreme drive to ‘get it right’ no matter the cost of time, effort and to physical stamina – and also feel your pain! In the end, a great decision, lesson and design switch albeit a painful one. I hope you’ve indulged in a treat to help ease away that pain. 🙂

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  2. Given the weight of the denim I would have been tempted to leave out the batting and just do the front and backing but not sure what that would do to the loft and the drape. Hopefully the current approach is a lot easier on your hands.

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  11. I’m relieved! I was already concerned at you hand quilting a denim quilt top, but a decor-weight backing (whilst absolutely gorgeous) was asking too much of your poor fingers.

    May I make a suggestion? Once you’ve pin basted your new backing on, consider working at your dining table, with the quilt rolled up and only the strip you’re actually working flat on the table. You can lean your elbows on the roll that forms as you finish each strip, and the weight of the rolls is enough to flatten the layers together under your fingers, making pushing the needle through a whole lot easier. Also, thread three or four needles onto your thread spool, and as you run out, take up a new needle, already threaded. Saves fumbling about and losing your rhythmn, I find.

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  12. I love that denim top and I like the tablecloth backing too!

    I have been working on hand-quilting a vintage top on and off for years; I am at the point where I think I will get the basic stitching done this year. I may need to go back and quilt more densely. I have been quilting in a hoop and it isn’t a perfect solution for me — I think I will try Kate’s tip about spreading it out on a table!

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