A Backing That Is Part of the Holiday Design
Most quilt backs are chosen last — until a Christmas quilt, where the back gets seen almost as much as the front. Holiday quilts are draped over sofas, folded at the foot of beds, and turned over during gift-giving, so a plain backing can feel like a missed opportunity. The Red White Peace on Earth Snowflakes Wideback Fabric per yard by Riley Blake Designs solves that in two ways: it is a festive print in its own right, and at 107"/108" wide, it backs most quilts in a single seamless piece.
What This Fabric Is
This is a cotton wideback fabric, sold per yard, made by Riley Blake Designs. Its design is a red and white color scheme scattered with detailed, intricate snowflakes. As the product description notes, each snowflake is different — just as in nature — which keeps the pattern interesting across a large surface instead of repeating in an obvious way. The effect is peaceful and wintry rather than busy: classic holiday color, a calm all-over motif, and enough contrast that the snowflakes read clearly from across a room.
Because it is a wideback, the 107"/108" width is the headline feature. Standard quilting cotton would need to be cut and seamed to reach that width. Here, one length does the job, with no center seam to align, press, or worry about shifting while you quilt.
Best Uses Beyond the Back of a Quilt
Quilt backing is its first and best job, especially for Christmas and winter quilts where a snowflake back finishes the theme on both sides. Measure your finished top, add the overhang your quilting method requires — longarm quilting typically needs several extra inches on all sides — and order that length as one continuous cut.
- Wholecloth and reversible quilts — let the snowflakes be the design. Simple quilting in white thread turns a single length into a finished winter throw.
- Festive home décor — seamless tablecloths, tree skirts, stocking backs, pillow shams, and curtain panels where a seam would interrupt the pattern.
- Apparel and accessories — the description also notes it is suitable for clothing and accessories, so consider holiday aprons, tote bags, and reusable gift bags.
- Seasonal yardage — in smaller cuts, the red ground with white snowflakes works as a bold background for appliqué or as sashing in a holiday sampler.
Working Tips: Cutting, Pairing, and Quilting
Square up first. Fold the fabric carefully, check that the cut ends are square, and trim if needed before basting or loading — a true edge at the start prevents a skewed back at the finish.
Decide on direction. Snowflakes are forgiving and largely non-directional, which is part of this print's appeal on a large back, but stand back and check the piece once before quilting.
Pair colors with restraint. Red and white is a strong, traditional combination. It pairs beautifully with white, cream, and natural linen tones, and it can calm a scrappy Christmas top full of greens and golds by giving it a clean, two-color reverse. If your top is also red and white, compare the reds side by side in daylight — matching undertones matters more than matching exactly.
Choose quilting that supports the motif. An all-over swirl or stipple in white thread will blend into the print and let the fabric show. Avoid quilting so dense that it flattens the crisp contrast you chose the fabric for.
Press and store in sections. Press a full-width piece in sections on your largest surface, then roll it rather than folding it sharply, so it stays smooth until use. For care, treat it as you would other quality quilting cottons and follow any care guidance on the product listing to help preserve the red-and-white contrast season after season.
The Takeaway
A wideback should make finishing easier, and a holiday wideback should make it more joyful, too. With its seamless 107"/108" cotton width, intricate snowflakes, and timeless palette, this Peace on Earth fabric does both — one cut, no pieced seam, and a reverse worth showing off.
Shop the Red White Peace on Earth Snowflakes Wideback Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
