galvestonangel

I know he is an engineer but there is an easier way to figure the amount of fabric.

I decided how wide the back needed to be and subtracted the width of the fabric (allowing for selvages and seams) from what I needed.

I folded the fabric diagonally measured from the selvage edge the extra width plus seam allowances. Measure down from the top to that point. Then cut your fabric length that much extra long plus a fudge factor. After you cut the length, fold the piece diagonally and press the fold. After you cut the piece in half on the fold, lay it out putting the one piece up as much as needed to make your needed width. Sew the seam

Pat M.

Most long arm quilters like the seam to run parallel to the rails of the quilting machine frame. Sometimes I put the largest piece in the middle and add borders to the edges. Make sure you have everything on grain if you can. Otherwise, the backing can get wonkey.

milp04

Something else to add to your backing is a back topper section. It is a section across the top that coordinates with the top. Some use extra blocks, coordinating blocks, smaller blocks like ones on the front, etc. It makes a nice surprise when you turn down the quilt. This would mean you'd need a less amount of the backing fabric.

Pam M

milp04

Something else to add to your backing is a back topper section. It is a section across the top that coordinates with the top. Some use extra blocks, coordinating blocks, smaller blocks like ones on the front, etc. It makes a nice surprise when you turn down the quilt. This would mean you'd need a less amount of the backing fabric.

Pam M

JanieH

I really appreciated all the great advice also.

dljennings

i like to measure the length i need, double it, cut the yardage in half, selvage to selvage.. sew right sides together on both sides, then cut down the fold line in the middle of the selvages lengthwise... gets me a full width of the fabric with 2 pcs on the sides...

sounds harder than it is when i try to explain it...