LOL.. your statements remind me of what my quilting instructer 15 years ago said as we were doing quilt blocks. I would do the advance ones then work backwards to the easy ones. She said" Lynn do you know how to crawl? every class you start out running." YOUR quilt is beautiful, and I do love the challenges as well. As for the backing size.. I always go larger like some of the other ladies have suggested. I would rather have to much, rather than not enough. I hand quilt so the extras on the sides make me feel safe LOL. I guess I'm still a Newbie as well. :oops: :lol: