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Friday, October 18, 2013

The Other Side of the Quilt

It's no secret that I absolutely love making the backs of my quilts special by piecing, so when I heard about the link party that Katie from Swim, Bike, Quilt has going on called "The Other Side of the Quilt," of course, I decided I'm totally in.

I piece almost all of my quilt backs these days, so it was hard to select just a few to highlight as my favorites.  Feeling Groovy is probably my most favorite quilt back of all time.  The front is an X-Plus, and I just decided to have fun with the back with improv.  I managed to use every bit of my precious Carnaby Street fabric on this one.


Sewing in an improv style on the back is one of my favorite ways to use scraps.  My very first experience with improv came with this quilt, called Sunning by the Pool.  For me, it's a lot of fun to have a break from the "rules" that come along with sewing a particular pattern.  Once the top is done and all that's left are scraps, it's great to throw caution to the wind and just sew!


Recently, I was able to sew scraps and make what I consider to be a completely reversible quilt on Summer Storm.  On this quilt, I may actually like the back better than the bento box front!


A Dash of Luck also has improv piecing, but has just an offset strip of scraps, which I've also loved doing lately.  My husband jokes that this kind of backing is becoming my "signature backing."  I think this is one of my favorites because I could just eat that Happy Go Lucky fabric up, and I love the fabrics with that happy orange Denyse Schmidt print.


The last one I'll share is not improv pieced at all.  Instead, on Happy Dance, I made extra blocks for a stripe across the back, and I just love the way the colors pop against the black and white polkadots.


Quilt backs are a way for me to unwind a little bit and loosen up my sewing.  Especially after a particularly fussy pattern on the front, piecing the backing can really be relaxing, and I just love the look of surprise when the recipient sees the other side of the quilt!

20 comments:

  1. What can possibly be said about your backs? They are fun and whitty. They are a very fun surprise when turning a beautiful top around to peek at the label. They are every bit as important as the fronts....of your quilts! Great job!

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  2. Your quilt backs look wonderful! I don't do much piecing on the backs of my quilts because I can't seem to keep them lined up properly after the quilting and squaring up is done. How do you do it?

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  3. Your improv backings are great. I used to do pieced backings but I always thought the backs looked like a mishmash of colors and designs. My fabs run from 20 years old to the newest most modern fabrics. Sometimes it is hard to put them together. I think I might try again. Perhaps using up the fabric from the front of the quilt. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  4. I am so with ya Kelly....as I think the back of the quilt she have the element of surprise! Yours look great!

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  5. Love your backings as much as all the fronts, Kelly. It is so much fun to put together a backing like those! And yes, they could all be considered reversible!

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  6. You're backs are always really interesting and surprising. I really love the "Sunning by the Pool" one. This could have easily been a front!

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  7. So pretty! I really love your Carnaby Street backing :)

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  8. I'll be finishing up my accuracy quilt tomorrow and have decided try an improved, pieced backing with all my leftover scraps. I guess I need something of a contrast back fabric to fill in the gaps so we'll see how it goes!

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  9. The backs are as beautiful as the front! I will have to remember to do. This for my next quilts

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  10. You have inspired me, my last 2 quilt backs have had some type of scraps on them too, and my upcoming will be pieced as well. THanks again for sharing, you just keep showing that yellow and grey quilt, NEED to use those colours!!

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  11. Your last back is a jewel and I can understand that it is difficult to choose what is the face you prefer !

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  12. I love all of your quilt backs :)

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  13. You're welcome Kelly, I am the one who have to thank you because since I know you, your quilts and your gorgeous backs, all my quilt backs are improved and scrap pieced and I am as proud of my back as of my front

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  14. Your backs look lovely! Great way to utilize the space.

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  15. Feeling Groovy made me by some of that Carnaby Street....now, what to do with it??? It's so beautiful on that back too. You know I love your backs girl!

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  16. They are all lovely ... A Dash of Luck is my favourite .. but don't tell the other quilt backs (wink, wink)

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  17. The best bit about piecing scraps together is that you can break up the yardage needed to finish it off and thus you don't have to buy so much to make up the width! It's my favourite way to do it too!

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  18. I recently improv piced a backing too and can understand your addiction ;)

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  19. yep, I love your backings! so fun to have two interesting sides to a quilt rather than just one. you always do a great job with them. one of my favorite things about your style.

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  20. It is as much fun to see the backs of your quilts as it is the fronts! Beautiful Kelly! Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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Thanks so much for your comment and for visiting! I read and appreciate every single comment, and I reply to each one as soon as I can. If you don't hear back from me, you might be a no-reply blogger. :)

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