joe'smom

quiltmouse, you've understood my issue perfectly. I love my blocks very much, but the stars are lost in the red. Still, no regrets, I loved every minute of decision-making and sewing involved.

Thank you for the suggestion on quilt backings. I know our great sister quilter Kalama Quilts always backs her quilts with another quilt.

Iceblossom

Cost is such a factor in our quilting decisions. Is the top "worth" the cost of having it quilted for you? Even if it is well worth the lack of wear and tear on our bodies, and often the better abilities of our quilters... How much the fabric costs in the first place! A lot of my decisions on this project were based on "available fabric", especially my Melon and backing fabric. I did buy a couple of golds (including the french fry fabric) in honor of my MiL, but the rest was from stash. It would be just about impossible for me to buy fabric just to do a mystery -- I'd rather put the money into something I know I will like.

Making smaller projects is certainly one way to cut prices. Lap/couch instead of queen.

For less expensive backs, there are always sheet options. Sometimes thrift store sheet options. I like doing some piecing on my backs -- for rough figuring purposed (obviously depends on the size of the finished project) but you need about 6 yards for a queen sized back.

When backings go on sale at eQuilter -- I've been buying them! I think I have backs for all of my completed tops (not quite sure on my Christmas String project, think I do). And I have about 6 backs bought because I loved them/would work for me. I often chose my top colors based on my available backs. Their everyday prices are ok -- but I wait for the sales which happen maybe every couple of months? Sometimes just short flash sales you need to get the emails about, or just get lucky!
https://www.equilter.com/category/265/quilt-backing

quiltmouse

Girl, Icy, you just twitched my squirrels. Thank goodness I haven't posted in Fabric Moratorium yet. So, I almost finished a whole twin quilt center flimsy this weekend after I dug in a near 15 year old connecting thread bin, got fed up with strips & charms. So, I went to equilter (darn ya! ), bought border back & binding for this quilt.

And backing for the focus fabric Optimism twin quilt. some beige medallions to go with a floral background purchased earlier this year. And NEW START a delicious adorable border for a child's twin.

Iceblossom

Even in fabric moratorium, we are allowed to buy fabric to finish a project if we don't have anything suitable... But yeah, I love eQuilter, I've been using them since they started. You get those backs on sale for like 30% and once you get to $100 (not hard to do with backs) you get free shipping.

when you are there, also check their fabric scrap pack bundles, in case you are currently collecting anything. Never know what they will have -- I've gotten black and white prints, white on white, and a couple others here and there. They are usually the ragged ends of bolts, so usually WoF but under 18" at the widest. Can be hard to find, so here's a link:
https://www.equilter.com/category/38...se-scrap-packs

Belfrybat

Great ideas for backings. I just looked at the EQuilter page -- yikes! There are some really gorgeous backings there, but the prices stop me in my tracks. All my quilts are for charity, so I tend to use thrift store finds, especially sheets. Another place I buy backings is Marshall Dry Goods. They often have 30 yard bundles for around $5.00 a yard, and their fabrics are good quality. https://marshalldrygoods.com/shop/ho...wide%20bundles But just their wide yardage is around $10.00 a yard and they have a lot of options. Plus free shipping over $80.00.

ILoveToQuilt

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hicNK42CYWuDCpNm9

Hope this works. First block done.

Iceblossom

Oh man! I like your colorway! Are you doing a holiday theme throughout, or did the candy canes just make this block??

ILoveToQuilt

Thanks IceBlossom for the kind words.

No, not a holiday theme, just a green I had in my stash. Finished 4 blocks and have decided to put the rest away to revisit at another time. I really don't like it at all. 😭 Lucky 99% of the fabric used was from my stash.

petthefabric

These statements resonate with me. Some of the finished quilt tops are just not calling to me. Then, some time later, I realize I want them finished. Also, my storage space is limited, and unquilted tops take less space.

joe'smom

ILoveToQuilt, that is very pretty!