108" Wideback Fabric: Save Money & Skip Backing Seams
108 inch Wideback Fabric: Is It Really Worth It? Let's Talk Quilt Backings!
Less cutting, fewer seams, and maybe even more money left in your fabric budget? Yes, please!
You've spent hours picking out the perfect fabrics, cutting, piecing, and sewing your quilt top together. Now it's time to choose your backing fabric.
And suddenly you're doing fabric math. Again. 😂
Do you buy regular 44" quilting cotton and piece it together? Or is that 108" wideback fabric you've been eyeing actually the better deal?
Here's a little secret: Wideback fabric isn't just for giant quilts, and it might actually save you money!
Let's talk about why 108" widebacks and 118" extra wideback fabrics deserve a spot in your quilting plans.
108" Quilting Wide back fabric available
First Things First… What Exactly Is Wideback Fabric?
Most regular quilting cotton comes approximately 44" wide. That's great for piecing quilt tops, but when it comes to backing a quilt, that width can leave you needing multiple lengths of fabric sewn together.
That's where widebacks come in!
108" wideback fabric gives you a whopping 108 inches of width, while 118" extra wideback fabric gives you even more room to work with.
And just like regular quilting cotton, widebacks are sold by the yard, in continuous lengths based on availability.
So when you order 2 yards of 108" wideback fabric, you're getting one continuous piece measuring approximately 72" × 108".
No piecing multiple widths together. No matching seams. Just one beautiful piece of fabric ready to become your quilt backing!
Wait… Can Wideback Fabric Actually Save Me Money?
This is where things get interesting!
A lot of quilters see the higher price per yard on wideback fabric and automatically assume it's more expensive.
But here's the catch: You're getting more than twice the width of regular quilting cotton!
Let's do some real quilt math.
Let's Say Your Quilt Measures 60" × 70"
If you're using regular 44" wide quilting cotton, you'll need approximately 5 yards to create a backing large enough for longarm quilting, allowing for extra backing around the quilt and the seams needed to join your fabric.
You'll also need to cut those yards into sections and sew them together.
Now, let's look at the same quilt using 108" wideback fabric.
You'd only need 2 yards!
That's one continuous piece of fabric measuring 72" × 108". No piecing required!
Here's a fun example using hypothetical fabric prices:
Fabric Choice | Yardage Needed | Price Per Yard | Total |
Regular 44" cotton | 5 yards | $12 | $60 |
108" wideback | 2 yards | $20 | $40 |
That's a $20 savings, plus no extra sewing!
Of course, fabric prices vary, and not every wideback will be cheaper. But comparing the total amount of fabric needed rather than just the price per yard can make a BIG difference.
And who doesn't love having a little extra fabric money left over for the next project?
No Backing Seams? Yes, Please!
Let's be real. By the time your quilt top is finished, sometimes you just want to get that beautiful thing quilted!
The last thing you feel like doing is cutting several yards of backing fabric, matching everything up, pinning long seams, and sewing it all together.
With a wideback, you can often skip that entire step!
And there are a few other benefits to having a seamless backing:
A smoother, flatter backing: No bulky seam allowances running across the back of your quilt.
Beautiful quilting results: As a longarm quilter, I love working with a smooth backing that doesn't have extra seams to manage.
Less prep work: Spend less time piecing your backing and more time doing the fun stuff.
A clean, finished look: Your quilt looks just as beautiful on the back as it does on the front.
Now, there's absolutely nothing wrong with a pieced backing! I've quilted plenty of them, and they turn out beautifully.
But if I can make the finishing process a little easier? I'm all for it!
Stamped Blueprint 108" 
Voluptuous 108" 
Free Fall Starlight 108"
But Aren't Widebacks Only for Queen and King Size Quilts?
Nope! And this might be my favorite wideback myth to bust!
Widebacks are fantastic for queen and king size quilts, but they're also incredibly useful for:
Throw quilts
Lap quilts
Twin quilts
Baby quilts
Multiple smaller quilting projects
Remember that 60" × 70" quilt we talked about earlier? That's a perfect example of a throw or lap quilt that can benefit from wideback fabric.
You don't have to be making a massive bed quilt to enjoy the convenience or potential savings.
And depending on your quilt sizes and how you plan your cuts, you may even be able to get backings for multiple smaller quilts from one piece of wideback fabric!
A little creative cutting can go a long way! Plus think WHOLECLOTH Quilts.... Not its not cheating!! (I'll let you in on a small secret, I TOTALLY have a 3.5 yard 108 wide quilting wholecloth quilt on my bed currently!) I just loved the fabric so much I needed it for the front of a quilt not just the back.
So What's the Difference Between 108" and 118" Widebacks?
Think of 118" extra widebacks as giving you just a little more wiggle room!
A 108" wideback is a fantastic option for many throw, twin, queen, and some king size quilts, depending on the quilt's dimensions and the backing allowance required.
But when your quilt starts getting really big, those extra 10 inches can make all the difference.
With a 118" extra wideback, you have more flexibility for larger quilts without needing to piece additional fabric onto your backing.
And as a longarm quilter, I can tell you that having enough extra backing fabric around your quilt is important for loading it onto the machine.
My tip: Before ordering your backing, measure your quilt top and add the extra inches your longarm quilter requires. I recommend checking those measurements before purchasing so you know your backing will fit!
Are Widebacks Worth It? Here's What I Think as a Longarm Quilter
If you ask me, widebacks are one of those little quilting conveniences that can make a BIG difference.
Do you absolutely have to use one? Of course not!
Regular quilting cotton makes beautiful backings, and sometimes you've already found the perfect fabric that you just have to use.
But if you can save money, skip a few seams, and spend less time preparing your backing, why wouldn't you at least take a peek?
And here's something else I love about widebacks: They're not just practical anymore. They're PRETTY!
There are so many beautiful prints, colors, and designs available that your quilt backing can be just as fun as the quilt top itself.
Because let's face it… the back of your quilt deserves a little love too!
Ready to Skip the Backing Math and Find Something Pretty?
At Sew Em Quilting, I specialize in beautiful 108" wideback and 118" extra wideback quilting fabrics because I know how much easier they can make finishing a quilt.
Whether you're sending your quilt to me for longarm quilting or simply shopping for fabric to finish a project at home, you're always welcome to shop!
And because I know how exciting it is to get started on that next project, in-stock fabric orders ship within 1 business day!
So go ahead, take a peek at the widebacks. You might just find your next favorite quilt backing!
Happy quilting!
Sew Em Quilting 🧵
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