what i am trying to say is my top piece is 45-1/2" and my back is a little over 43". when i trim the salvages it will make both pieces shorter and i want to keep it around 43 to 44 inches. so what i want to do is to take the 43" back piece fold the length in half, cut it and then turn it sideways and sew a seam so that it now gives me the width i want and still have my length. i believe i explained it right this time. i guess i was still asleep when i wrote my first message. ps i realize and was going to buy more material and add on to the sides, but a friend of mine told me how to do it this way. that is why i am asking about the grains and the stretching. sorry if i had confused anyone about the way i tried to explain this. but i think all of you knew what i meant. thanks for all the input.