How do you measure you backing fabric? Do you put you seam top to bottom or across the back? Do you have a formula for figuring out your back?
I do hope what I saying is making sense.

It makes sense. :) I do it in the middle top to bottom. But I think its just a preference on how you want to do it. :)

the John Flynn website has a formula for a diagonal seam across the back ..... this saves you from having the seam all in one place when you roll the quilt to quilt it

some directions have you do a full WOF in the center and the remainder evenly divided on each side....be sure to remove the selveges

That's how I do it. I've read not to put it in the middle (or anywhere it may be folded).

If you plan to have a longarm quilter do the quilting, I think you should ask. Seems I've read that they have a preference.

Depending on which way I am going to load it on the frame, I seam it so the seam is horizontal to the frame. This way you don't have places where there are large lumps of fabric on the poles.

it really depends on how you plan on finishing it- if sending to a long-arm quilter the seam will (hopefully) be horizontal--across the quilt- when it is loaded on the roller bars the seam will lay flat along the bar- if your piece is vertical you have layer after layer of bulk building in the center- and baggy edges

if you are hand quilting it you can do it any way you want-
or if you are using a domestic machine it probably does not matter- you can piece it any way that works...but it does really matter for having it long-armed.

I was told the seam can go anywhere except down the center; you can make it with 2 or three seams as long as they aren't in the center.

Is that because you are sending it out to a LA? Since I can not afford that, and quilt on my HQ/V then it really doesn't matter to me. Believe me, some of my backs had WAY more than 2 or 3 seams. :?: :lol:

I am interestd to know this also. It is new to me. I guess I just do things my own way.

I usually put one full width of fabric down the center & fill in each side to the desired width.

The not having a seam down the middle is something that I've always been told no matter how it's being quilted. I think its more for looks than anything; if you only have two panels the seam isn't as noticable if it's off to one side instead of down the middle. As far as the # of seams that probably would be more if you are sending it out; you'd probably get charged more for it. I've seen where people piece the whole back. Georgia Bonsteel recently did a segment on this and said the same thing. I do believe what others here have said; when it comes right down to it; it's your quilt and you can do what you want. Im like you; I can't afford to send it out. A friend of mine does long arm and loaned me a great book by Maurine Noble and I'm learning alot from it. It covers thread, tension, etc. It has lessons for you to do to practice. Nothing on the backing though and I can't find my other book on it yet.

I was purchasing 45"fabric. Then I noticed fabric backs and they work just perfectly. When I used 45" I would center it