Ready to put on a backing
 

Ok, here I just finished the top for a tree skirt that is 47" x 47", and trying the like of me to figure out how 1 and 3/4 of a yard is gonna work for this, (this is what the pattern states). It is cut out at a 45 degree angle on the 4 sides. So I went to quilt shop today, and she said it would take 50" x 2 and I still have to piece it. Only a few inches on the side, so would you just cross cut it in the middle sew it up the middle and then trim the sides to correspond with the top, or is there a better way? I ended up with 2 3/4 yard of fabric, though I know I will have some left over. But would there been a better move on my thinking? Less fabric (as I thought it got a little spendy for a tree skirt). Also do you put a lot of thought into the backing? What do you do for yours backs?

For my backs I just kind of go with the flow. Guess how much fabric I need and hope for the best. I guess this is not the right way to figure this out. Will be waiting for more replies.

Unless it is reversible, I wouldn't worry too much about how the back is pieced. I would cut the 50" and cut a strip off the remaining fabric to make it the width you need.

Except for where the top and bottom seams are going to hit, which would make quilting more difficult, I wouldn't worry too much about how you piece the back of the skirt, or actually what you are going to use. I know you already purchased the backing fabric, but I would have gotten a piece of 108" muslin, or used a sheet, thrift store or new.

I do have a 'thing' about spending money for backing fabric. I look at how the item is going to be used. If it's going to be put somewhere, and not really moved around a lot (bed quilt, table runner, tree skirt, wall hanging etc.) I am inclined to use something sturdy, but less expensive than LQS quilting cotton: nice quality muslin, coordinating sheet, scrappy etc. If the item is going to be thrown around and used a lot, where you are going to see the back almost as much as the front (throw, baby quilt etc.) then I spend the money and make the back out of something really nice, or take pains and piece it nicely.

It sounds like the original plan used the length of the backing fabric down the middle and then small pieces on each side to get the little bit of extra width needed, rather than having the seam on the backing down the middle.

Just want to say "Thanks" for all the input. Even tho I had bought the backing, just more to add to the collection, and it's a neutual, so will go with anything, so will put into another project, and I never thought about using muslim. Will look into the 108" and see how that goes, or I had fabric left over and might just do stripes never thought of that either. Guess my mind just went blank.