Piecing a Scrappy Back for the Hope’s Path Quilt
Sometimes quilting projects don’t go as planned—like when I completely forgot to order backing for the Hope’s Path Quilt. This is a quilt that is so is special to me. I share the rights with Quilts for a Cause. An organization that raises money to combat cancer by selling quilts. I was working under a tight, self imposed deadline. While it might sound stressful, it turned into an unexpected creative opportunity!
Why? Well, I decided to piece together a Snazzy Stripy Quilt Back made solely from my stash which is the perfect solution. Stripes are one of my favorite design elements—they add a touch of fun to a quilt, and I love incorporating them into my quilting projects, especially in the binding.
When you find that perfect fabric that you just have to have but don’t have a project or purpose for it.. What size of fabric do you get? I love a half yard cut, a yard cut or a two yard cut. If I get a two yard cut I have a bag project in mind. However if I am wanting it for a quilt then a half yard will give you a 9″ x 40″ strip of fabric and a yard will give you a 18″ x 40″ strip of fabric, which is perfect to fit into a quilt back.
The Joy of Piecing a Stripy Quilt Back
Piecing a quilt back is incredibly rewarding. It’s like having two quilts in one! More often than not, I find myself loving the back just as much as (if not more than) the front. This process also gives me a chance to lean into improvisational quilting—a playful and freeing technique that’s lets you throw all the rules out the window. Here are some of those quilts I have made with a fun and crazy quilt back.
Another perk? Taming the fabric stash. I swear they multiply at night. Using those leftover pieces for the quilt back not only adds a personal touch to the project but also helps manage those ever-growing piles of scraps and fabric stash.
A Striped Design with History
The design for this backing came from a quilt I made years ago. It’s been on my “to-do” list to turn it into a full quilt pattern, but for now, it’s the perfect method for piecing a quilt back. With a little adjustment, this striped backing can work for the throw size of the Hope’s Path Quilt or any quilt you’re finishing.
A Quick Tip for Backings
When piecing a quilt back, I recommend using a larger seam allowance to ensure durability. For this design, I worked with a 1/2″ seam allowance—it’s a small adjustment that can make a big difference.
Making the Stripy Quilt Back
| Black Fabric | Fabric A | 1/2 yard |
| Black Fabric | Fabric B | 1/3 yard |
| Black Fabric | Fabric C | 1/2 yard |
| Black Fabric | Fabric D | 2/3 yard |
| Black Fabric | Fabric E | 2/3 yard |
| Blue Fabric | Fabric F | 1/2 yard |
| Blue Fabric | Fabric G | 1/2 yard |
| Blue Fabric | Fabric H | 1/3 yard |
| Blue Fabric | Fabric I | 1/3 yard |
NOTE: To make the tutorial stash friendly I kept the rows as separate fabrics. Feel free to make changes to make this project work for your stash. We will be cutting each fabric vertically and sewing them together to make one long strip of each fabric.
Locate Fabric B, trim off the selvages. Cut into (2) strips of fabric measuring 5 1/2″ x 40″. Sew two vertically edges together creating (1) 5 1/2″ x 80″ strip of fabric. Press seams.
Repeat this process for Fabric H, and Fabric I.
Locate Fabric A, trim off the selvages. Cut into (2) strips of fabric measuring 7 1/2″ x 40″. Sew two vertically edges together creating (1) 7 1/2″ x 80″ strip of fabric. Press seams.
Repeat this process for Fabric C, Fabric F, and Fabric G.
Locate Fabric D, trim off the selvages. Cut into (2) strips of fabric measuring 10″ x 40″. Sew two vertically edges together creating (1) 10″ x 80″ strip of fabric. Press seams.
Repeat this process for Fabric E.
Sew the strips of fabric together referring to the diagram below.
Sewing the Stripy Quilt Back Rows Together
If you can’t see the image above, sew the following fabrics together:
Fabric A strip to Fabric D strip
Strip of Fabric F to Fabric H strip
Fabric B strip to Fabric I strip
Fabric G strip to Fabric E strip and add Fabric C to the raw edge of Fabric E
Now sew the groups together:
Fabric A/Fabric D strip to Fabric F/Fabric H strip
Fabric B/ Fabric I strip to Fabric G/Fabric E/ Fabric C strip
Finally sew the (2) parts together to make (1) quilt back. Iron the seams open or press to the darker fabric. I absolutely love how this scrappy quilt back turned out and I am so happy I didn’t buy any fabrics to create it. I hope you find this tutorial helpful. If you piece fabric together for the backing tell me what your favorite way to do that is in the comments below.
Share Your Thoughts
I hope you find this Stripy Quilt Back tutorial helpful. If you piece fabric together for the backing, tell me your favorite method in the comments below. This tutorial is for a quilt that is 57″ x 57″, if you want to make the back larger add more strips. You can make it scrappier by replacing one or more if the strips with a strip that is made up of crumb piecing.
Helpful links on finishing a quilt:
Learn about now I spray bast a quilt together.
Learn more about binding a quilt.
Happy Quilting!!
