That's great advice Lavender Blue, I have always wondered how to do that. Your way makes perfect sense. Since I didn't think of that, I just never center anything. I make my lap quilts 48 x 72. (Domestic machine) I take the 42" width and cut about 12" off. Then I use either simple blocks of the front prints to add width or reject blocks stacked to make the back wide enough. I am actually beginning to prefer simple squares. As someone pointed out on another thread, if anytime the front gets damaged, there is identically worn fabric on the back to repair the front.