I always float my top. Though I have to admit I like more room on bottom. It should be great if you are going slow like you said.

Not being a LAQ, I had no idea how much trouble a small backing could cause. I'll be sure all my backs are big enough. Thanks for the heads up.

Oh yes. We need something to grab on to. At least 4 inches, all around, is recommended. Also, sometimes there's more give in the top or the backing fabric. I would like to have more backing because I like to have room to practice, adjust tension, before I start on the quilt.

When I make one for myself, I've started doing a "mini-quilt" on the side with the fabrics used in the quilt top. When I'm done quilting, I throw that one in the wash and dry it to see how it looks when it's all done. For the last one, I snipped out a rectangle, about 6x3, folded it in half and stitched in care instructions and included it with the quilt. I like to see how the fabrics react. I always pre-wash my fabrics too. I've seen, from others, what can happen when fabrics bleed onto their partners or from the front to the back. Especially batiks. I know they are lovely, but pre-wash them. The colors bleed when washed. (getting off soap box...laundry soap...haha)

Wishing you good luck on that one!

I too am a longarmer-have been for a very long time, anyway......I would not attempt to work on a quilt that only has an inch or two as the frame around the top. I have rec'd a very few that way, and I always call the client, giving them the option of me adding something if I have it, or they bring me more or another back.......Reason being: the pieced top has more stretchability than the back, even if it is pieced, it is not as intense as the top, so the "sucking in" of the stitching is tighter on that back than on the front,and the more intense the quilting is the more the sucking in is....and could cause a shortage at the end or sides........ I will only work on a quilt if that frame is 3 or more inches all the way around..........a safety feature for me

I just finished one also, no fun. I did flot the top. good luck.