Patriotic Stars Large White Stars on Red is a 108-inch wide, 100% cotton wideback fabric with bold white statement stars on a vibrant red ground. It is best for seamless quilt backings, where its extra width covers most quilt tops in a single panel without piecing, plus spirited seasonal sewing projects.
What Is Patriotic Stars Large White Stars on Red Wideback Fabric?
This fabric is part of the Patriotic Stars 108" Supreme Backings range by Choice Fabrics, from The Fabric Company. The collection celebrates classic Americana with timeless star motifs in bold red, white, and navy colorways, and this version puts large white stars front and center against vibrant red.
It is 100% cotton, 108 inches wide, and sold by the yard. That width is the whole point of a wideback: standard quilting cotton is only about 44/45 inches wide, so backing a throw or bed quilt normally means seaming lengths together. At 108 inches, one length usually spans a quilt top with no center seam to align, press, or work around when you quilt.
The large scale matters, too. On the back of a quilt, a big, simple motif reads clearly from a distance, while the white stars keep the vibrant red bright and graphic rather than busy.
How to Use It
Cutting: Press flat and square up the cut edge before measuring. Because the fabric is so wide, fold it carefully on a large table so the fold stays straight, then cut with a long ruler, rotary cutter, and mat. Allow a few extra inches beyond your quilt top on all sides, as you would for any backing.
Sewing: As 100% cotton, it sews and presses like regular quilting cotton, with a standard needle and regular presser foot. If your quilt is wider than 108 inches, piece the backing with a generous seam, press it open or to one side, and position it away from bulky seams in the top.
Pairing tips: Let the backing echo the front without competing with it. It pairs naturally with patriotic tops in red, white, and navy, and with navy or white solids. If your top is already busy, this bold but simple backing gives the eye a place to rest, and a navy or white binding ties the two sides together.
A Project to Try
Try a seamless-backed patriotic throw, about 55 x 70 inches, made to show off a simple star top.
1. Piece a straightforward top from large star blocks or simple squares in red, white, and navy, pressing seams as you go.
2. Cut one length of the wideback a few inches larger than the top on all sides — at 108 inches wide, one panel covers a 55-inch throw with plenty to spare, and the offcut can become a pillow front or table runner.
3. Layer the backing right side down, add batting, then place the top right side up, smoothing from the center outward.
4. Baste, then quilt with straight lines or a simple all-over design that will not fight the large stars on the back.
5. Trim, square up, and bind in navy or white for a throw ready for a porch, picnic, or Fourth of July gathering.
Care and Handling
Care for this fabric as you would other 100% cotton quilting fabric. Machine wash in cold water on a gentle cycle with like colors, and tumble dry on low or line dry. Wash a saturated red ground first with similar dark and red items, and if you pre-wash, treat the backing the same way as the fabrics in the top. Press with a warm iron before cutting and after washing, and store finished quilts away from prolonged direct sunlight to keep the red and white contrast crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to piece this backing for most quilts?
Usually not. At 108 inches wide, a single panel covers most throw, twin, and many larger quilt tops in one piece, so you skip the seaming, matching, and extra pressing a pieced backing requires.
How much do I need for a throw quilt back?
Measure the length of your finished top, add a few inches of overhang, and order that length. For the 55 x 70-inch throw above, 2 to 2.25 yards gives you the backing length you need from a single seamless width.
Is this fabric only for quilt backs?
No. It also suits seasonal sewing projects, and the bold star print works well for patriotic table runners, banners, and other Americana decor where a large-scale red and white print is the feature.
Shop the Patriotic Stars 108" Supreme Backings - Large White Stars on Red Wideback Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
