I need 3 1/2 yds of material for my backing fabric. The quilt store only had 2 5/8 yds so I bought what they had. I cut the fabric in half like my pattern says and sewed the two halves together. The fabric is wider than I need but not tall enough. Should I just cut from the sides and sew the extra fabric from the sides to the top to try to make it tall enough? This is my very first quilt so advice would be most welcome. Thanks!

If it would make it big enough, that is for sure what I would do! :thumbup:

Keep in mind that you want some inches all the way around it...especially if you are going to have someone else quilt it for you...
by all means if you take some off the sides and add it to top and or bottom and it works do so...

I'll be quilting it myself. How many inches around the sides should I leave?

That is probably what I would do as well...
Do you still have your receipt? I'm just wondering if there are any UPC/SKU (stock) numbers on there, they could look it up to see if they have more, or they could order more for you.

Otherwise, like a previous poster said, make sure you have several inches all the way around, if there is enough left to piece to the top or bottom to make it big enough, than do that. Or use another piece of coordinating fabric and add it to the top and bottom of the back.
You'll figure something out! Don't be afraid to ask if you have more questions! :lol: Everyone here is super helpful!

Also, welcome to the board from Minnesota!

Thanks Heather! :-D

Leave yourself a 2" - 3" on each side. If it is going to a LAQ it should be 3" - 4" on each side.

One time when I was making two 'matching' twin quilts for my 2 DGD's. I had purchased the backing on a road trip. When I got home ^&%*^%( I was only inches short. What I did was to add a small strip at one end of the quilt(s). Talked to my LAQ about my problem, she was able to line things up so after it was quilted I was able to unsew the strip and every thing looked fine.

What's a LAQ?

Long Arm Quilter