Last week at the quilters retreat in WV we pieced the backing on the diagonal as instructions in John Flynn's web site.
It really works. Backing was 44" and quilt was 48" There is a formulae for the number of inches you need to add in order to increase the width. It took 20 more inches to add to the size of the needed backing. So instead of 66" it took 88". Sure saved $$ and could hardly see the seam. I recommend the method. The instructions are on John Flynn's web site.

So what's his web address? Sounds like something I need to add to my quilting "library".

just pick one!
http://www.google.com/search?q=john+...=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8

there are some good explainations by "regular" people (math impaired!) on thier blogs too!

Since I am math challenged I had a problem understanding the final figure in the formulae. Finally discovered it is the additional inches you add to be able to cut on diagonal.
You can extend a 44" wide fabric out to 66" and a 60" wide out to 90"

Thanks for that. I don't have the patience to read all that stuff, but I got the idea. Maybe one day I will be brave enough to try it. I do like a challenge.

I've used his method several times and one time I did a variation that turned out to be amazing...once I had the diagonal cut, I inserted a 12 inch strip of coordinating fabric (you can make it as wide as you want, but 12 to 15 inches is a dynamic look), then stitched on the other diagonal...the final look was really great - very dynamic and makes a backing that can work as a front as well. Just remember to offset the second triangle like John Flynn does in his video.

Maybe the other way around?

Hi Holice, I think it was you that posted a website for a show that you did on binding? I'm getting better, but just not quite getting those square corners and I can't find the website.

I use this method a lot, it's better looking to me anyway, than a plain old straight seam, and if you need it just a little wider it's easier and cheaper than doing it the other way.

Thanks for this info, Holice. Here's a math calculator for figuring out just how much fabric you need based on your quilt top measurements and overhang needed.

http://www.multi-patch.com/html/diag...calculator.php

I put in #'s for my 60 x 75" quilt with a 3" overhang. The calculator figured out that I'll need 5.58 yards of 42" (usable width) fabric.

I need to do some more figuring on my own to see if that really is cheaper than getting a wider piece of fabric. Too many variables to consider, especially when the price of fabric varies so much. For example, I'd only need just under 2 yards of wide fabric to cover the width of my quilt. I can buy that for under $10 a yard if I shop around. So, say $20 or so for wide back material. Regular yardage at even $6 a yard (if we're lucky) would be close to $33. A person would have to find yardage at only $3 a yard to break even on this one.

I suppose there are as many pros/cons on this issue as there are members here. Just something to think about. Thanks again.

That said, I would like to try this method some time, just to see how I like it. Looks like having a long table would be helpful when cutting the long length of yardage on the diagonal. :thumbup: