Well you might not need 2 lengths. John Flynn has a nifty idea. Have a look: http://www.flynnquilt.com/freepattern.html Scroll down about 1/2 way to the diagonal seam back. BTW, that quilt is gonna make some baby and proud parents happy. :D
piney

I got my back done, but I absolutely love the link to the diagonal back site. I am a mathematics lover, and this really appeals to me. I am going to try it just for fun with a much smaller size, just to see how it works. I am constantly amazed at the amount of knowledge to be found on this board.

Thanks

I was on the math team in HS so I too, love a challenge in math. I was happy to hear of his method as I make many donation quilts for children and this way saves on the yardage.
piney

That is very cool - thanks for sharing!

Just another thought...

Yes the seam in the middle might get a bit of stress... but...

You are quilting along this seam. You are quilting across this seam. Every point where you have thread tieing the front to the back reduces the stress along that single thread. Do we have any emphirical evidence of seam separation along a center seam quilt back that has been adequately quilted?

Inquiring newby wants to know (as he goes out to get some 54 inch backing fabric).

tim in san jose

Hmmmm 54" backing fabric? I hadn't noticed that width. Learn something new every day. Is it pink?? :wink:
So far the seams have been fine and many of my quilts have taken a spin or three in the washer ~ not really TLC handling. Now there might be a seam issue with toes on the loose. :lol:

piney

Pinecone LOL
Tim,Never had any trouble with seams coming apart on back, but avoid them for hand quilting cause I loathe hand quilting over them. For an unpieced back I usually use super wide calico, comes in widths up to 8' which is pretty wide, pretty reasonable too at around $8 - $10 per metre (compared to $20 for the stuff on the front :lol: ) depending on width. Comes up beautiful after a really hot wash and dry on the line, Quilts like a dream. If you want it coloured you can always dye it. Over here dyeing is a good alternative because of the price of quilting fabric.

Might be called something different there though, I've noticed alot of things have different names. What is called muslin here, you wouldn't dream of putting in your quilts :lol: is a fine mesh type stuff used for draining jellies, wrapping old fashioned puddings to cook,baby wipes, that sort of thing

You strain through Cheese cloth. Muslin is what you call calico. Calico usually has a pattern on it here.

I picked up the 54 inch stuff at Calico Corners. They specialize in home furnishings fabrics, for drapes, table cloths, furniture covers and upholstery. This particukar fabric is lightweight, slightly off white with a three pattrn of dark blue fine lines going through on a 90 degree hatch.

tim in san jose

Thanks for the clarification :) Is funny though how even when people speak the same overall language, words can have different meanings in different areas.

I was told not to have one seam on a backing because it puts too much stress on that one seam. Lynda Howell from the Stitch Connection always puts several seams in her backing and they look wonderful. I do it all the time now. Besides it uses up my extra fabric so I can buy more :)