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Spreading quilty joy one stitch at a time!

How to match a fabric print on your quilt back

November 16, 2022 by Shannon 6 Comments

How to match fabric prints on a quilt back - Tutorial by Shannon Fraser Designs Learn how I match prints on the back of my quilts for a seamless finish every time! See the step-by -step tutorial on the blog #quilttutorial #quilting

Have you found the perfect backing for your quilt, only it’s got a big and obvious repeat pattern that will look really weird if you don’t match it up? And now you’re wondering how to match a fabric print on your quilt back?

Depending on the complexity of your print, this can be a little confusing to tackle.

This is obviously an optional step, you certainly don’t have to take the time to match the print on your quilt backing. After all, most of the time, you’re tucked under the backing and don’t even see it 😉

I can assure you I have several quilts from early in my quilting journey where the backing prints don’t line up.

Does it bug me?

Not really!

But once I discovered how relatively easy it is to match up your backing print, I now find myself paying attention to that detail.

So, why go the extra distance?

Well, the seamless results are hard to beat. The comment I got from my hubz when I showed him this backing was that if I hadn’t mentioned it, he would have thought it was one whole piece – that’s why you go the extra distance!

And as I mentioned it’s really not that complex to do, just a little bit fiddly.

Let me show you how!

Step-by-step tutorial on how to match fabric prints on the back of your quilts. This used to stump me all the time, but there's an easy way to do it! Read it up on the blog. #quilting #howtoquilt #tutorial #diy

This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission.


Materials and notions you’ll need to match your fabric prints

Here’s what you’re going to need to tackle lining up your backing panels.

  • Backing fabric – I’m using this print from the Christmas in the City collection
  • Seam gauge
  • Iron
  • Ironing board or wool pressing mat
  • Glue
  • Pins (optional)
  • Sewing machine
  • Piecing thread
  • Scissors
  • Cutting mat
  • Rotary cutter with these blades

Find my most loved notions here.

How to Match a Fabric Print on Your Quilt Back

Step 1

The first step is to determine the size of your quilt backing.

Before cutting your quilt backing panels, take a look at the size of your repeating pattern. The larger the repeat, the more excess fabric you may need to match up the prints.

I made this mistake when I was matching the backing on my Ecliptic quilt featuring Tilda Lazy Day. The print is gorgeous but it’s also quite large. I didn’t have enough fabric to cover the backing of my quilt while also having enough to offset my panels to line up the print. Blergh. I just added a bottom border, so there’s an easy fix, but it wasn’t the look I was going for.

How to match fabric prints on a quilt back - Tutorial. Step 1 - start by figuring out how large your repeat pattern is. This is important so you know how long to cut each panel. Here's an example of where I was short! Learn how to match prints on the back of quilts for a seamless finish every time! See the step-by -step tutorial on the blog #quilttutorial #quilting

The moral of the story, take a look at your repeat print along with how big your quilt backing needs to be to make sure you have enough fabric on hand for everything to line up and cover your quilt 😉

How to match fabric prints on a quilt back - Tutorial. Step 1 - start by figuring out how large your repeat pattern is. Learn how to match prints on the back of quilts for a seamless finish every time! See the step-by -step tutorial on the blog #quilttutorial #quilting

Step 2

Once you’ve got your repeat identified and panels cut, the next step is to fold one of the raw edges of your panel over about 1¼”, with the wrong sides together, then press.

You’re creating a seam that you’ll be able to then line up along the second panel. You need to give yourself enough room to accommodate a ½” seam allowance, and also some trimming room after you’ve stitched the panels together.

The width of your folded seam doesn’t have to be exact (e.g. could be an inch wide) but you do want it to be consistent. I used a seam gauge to keep things nice and even.

How to match fabric prints on a quilt back - Tutorial. Step 2 - fold one of the fabric panels under, wrong sides together, by about an inch or so. Learn how to match prints on the back of quilts for a seamless finish every time! See the step-by -step tutorial on the blog #quilttutorial #quilting

Step 3

With the entire length nicely pressed, and working in sections, add a small dab of glue to the folded side of the seam allowance and line up the repeat print along the edge of the second panel. Once you’re happy with how they match up, press to temporarily keep the fabrics in place.

Tip – a small dab of glue will do.

Too much isn’t a good thing here, but too little and it won’t stick.

Continue working in sections, applying glue, lining the prints up, and finger pressing.

Once you have the entire length glued down, leave it for about 10 minutes so the glue can dry.

How to match fabric prints on a quilt back - Tutorial. Step 3 - add a small dab of glue to the folded edge. Learn how to match prints on the back of quilts for a seamless finish every time! See the step-by -step tutorial on the blog #quilttutorial #quilting

Step 4

Carefully flip the top panel onto the other panel, which will reveal the raw edges of the panels and open up the seam allowance you folded and pressed.

You could opt to pin at this point so that things don’t shift or unglue on you, but I’ve found that if I just leave the glue to dry a little, things seem to stay put.

At the sewing machine, stitch directly in the fold of the seam.

I follow the indentation and that seems to give me pretty good results 😉

How to match fabric prints on a quilt back - Tutorial. Step 4 - stitch directly in the crease. Learn how to match prints on the back of quilts for a seamless finish every time! See the step-by -step tutorial on the blog #quilttutorial #quilting

Step 5

Once you have the two panels stitched together, take a peek at how your print is lining up.

I like to do this juuuuust to be sure that things haven’t gone awry at the machine before I go ahead and trim my seam allowance down to ½”.

How to match fabric prints on a quilt back - Tutorial. Step 5 - trim seam allowance down to 1/2". Learn how to match prints on the back of quilts for a seamless finish every time! See the step-by -step tutorial on the blog #quilttutorial #quilting

Step 6

With your seam trimmed, now you can press your seam open.

Tip – I find it best to not set my seams as it makes opening the seam a little tougher with the glue.

How to match fabric prints on a quilt back - Tutorial. Step 6 - press seam open. Learn how to match prints on the back of quilts for a seamless finish every time! See the step-by -step tutorial on the blog #quilttutorial #quilting

Step 7

Stand back and admire your lovely and seamlessly matched quilt backing print! Hurray!

Not so bad after all, right?!

You’re now all set on how to match a print on your quilt back!

How to match fabric prints on a quilt back - Tutorial. Step 7 - flip to reveal your seamlessly matching prints. Learn how to match prints on the back of quilts for a seamless finish every time! See the step-by -step tutorial on the blog #quilttutorial #quilting

For more quilty inspiration, check out:

  • 5 Things Every Quilter Should Know about Batting Bolts
  • Double Windmill Quilt
  • Sew Organized with the Sit ‘n Sew Pinnie
  • Sustainable Quilting Through the Art of Modern Improv

Hope that helps demystify the print-matching process and leaves you knowing exactly how to match a fabric print on your quilt back 😊

Happy print matching!

xo

Shannon


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Filed Under: Quilting, Tutorials Tagged With: Fabric, How to Quilt

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Comments

  1. Cynthia Gottlieb says

    November 16, 2022 at 1:43 pm

    Thank you for posting this and making quilters aware that this really does make a difference in the visual quality of such hard workmanship. But then again my sewing started with dress making so matching plaids and designs was paramount.Which continued into costume making for the ballet. Instead of a dab of glue, I use that narrow double-sided tape but within the seam allowance that I know I will cut off. I’m afraid of the glue getting on my iron when I press open the seam. It really is as easy as you have shown to make this backing look like it is 1 continuous piece of fabric. One may think that no one will take notice but they definitely will if it is just put together without lining up the print.

    Reply
    • Shannon says

      November 16, 2022 at 1:57 pm

      Double-sided tape is a genius idea, Cynthia! And I didn’t know you sewed ballet costumes! How cool is that?! I’m with you on taking the time to focus on these details. They really add up and make the end results more polished. I can’t think of a time where I’ve regretted matching my seams up 😉

      Reply
  2. Roberta says

    November 16, 2022 at 4:03 pm

    You make it sound very easy yo do. Will definitely try it next time I use a print !

    Reply
    • Shannon says

      November 16, 2022 at 4:12 pm

      You’ve totally got this! 🙌 Just take it one step at a time and don’t rush. It can feel fiddly at first, so slowing down and being patient helps ☺️

      Reply
  3. Ingrid Mijares says

    November 18, 2022 at 9:28 am

    Muy fácil…. Después de que una excelente profesora nos lo explica 😆😆😆😆. Muy claro el tutorial. Gracias por compartir. Saludos desde Venezuela ❤️

    Reply
    • Shannon says

      November 21, 2022 at 6:50 am

      Thank you so much, Ingrid! Thrilled to hear the tutorial was clear and easy to follow!

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Shannon. A modern quilt pattern designer based in Montreal. My quilting journey started by stumbling upon a half square triangle tutorial and I've been hooked since. I'm now spreading that quilty joy to you! Read More…

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