Wide Quilt Backing Fabric – 108" & Extra-Wide Yardage
Wide quilt backing fabric in 90", 108" and 118" widths – prints, solids, flannel and minky wide enough to back most quilts in one piece, with no seams to sew. Not sure how much you need? Read how to figure yardage for a quilt backing. read more
More wide backing fabric
Wide Quilt Backing Fabric – 108" & Extra-Wide Yardage
Why Use Wide Backing?
Standard quilting cotton is about 44" wide, so anything bigger than a lap quilt needs two or three lengths sewn together for the back. Wide backing skips that step. One length covers the whole quilt, so there's no center seam to line up, no extra bulk under the longarm, and less fabric wasted. Reviewers say the same thing over and over: "no more seam down the middle."
Which Width Do I Need?
- 108" (and 106"–110") – the most common width, and the bulk of this page. Covers throw, twin, full and most queen quilts in one piece.
- 118" – for king quilts, or when you want extra room on all sides for longarm loading. Includes Kona Premium muslin.
- 90" – mostly Cuddle® minky. Shop all 90 inch wide quilt backing.
- 80" – a handful of Luxe Cuddle® faux furs for snuggly throws.
Plan on at least 4" of extra backing on every side of your quilt top (more if a longarm quilter is finishing it). Check our queen size quilt dimensions guide if you're working on a bed quilt.
Prints, Solids, Flannel or Minky?
Most of our wide backs are 100% quilting cotton: tone-on-tone blenders, florals, textures and Missouri Star's own Quilt Backs, plus 108" solids from Kona and other solid lines. A busy print hides quilting stitches; a solid shows them off. For warmth, choose 108" flannel (white quilter's flannel doubles as a design wall). For the softest back of all, minky – see our minky quilt backing. A plaid isn't always flannel, so check the fiber on the product page before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much wide backing do I need?
Measure your quilt top and add 8" to both the length and the width (4" per side), then check that the width fits within your backing fabric. For a 108" back you then only buy enough to cover the length – for example, a 90" x 108" queen quilt needs about 3 1/3 yards of 108" backing.
How is wide backing sold?
Like our other yardage, wide backing is priced by the quarter yard. Add 4 to your cart for one yard, and it's cut in one continuous piece. Some backs also come as pre-cut 3-yard pieces.
Should I prewash wide backing?
It's up to you, but measure first. Wide cotton can shrink a few inches across the width – one reviewer's 108" back measured 104" after washing – so if your quilt is close to the full width, buy a little extra or skip the prewash and wash the finished quilt instead.
Can I use minky or flannel as a quilt back?
Yes. Many quilters love a minky back, and reviewers say 90" Cuddle® quilts nicely on a longarm. Some even skip batting when they use minky or flannel. Use a longer stitch, plenty of pins or spray baste, and a walking foot if you're quilting at home.
Is wide backing the same quality as regular quilting cotton?
Our wide cotton backs come from the same mills as standard quilting cotton – Maywood Studio, Robert Kaufman, Northcott, Andover, FreeSpirit and more – so they wash and wear like the fabric on the front of your quilt.























