I have a lap quilt top 60x60 and I have plenty of fabric for the back, lengthwise. I am short fabric on the side of the quilt so which is the best way to cut the fabric :?:

Not sure what you mean re being short fabric on the side. How much fabric (yardage) do you have for the back? I usually cut strips for binding along the selvedge first, then if I have enough lengthwise (that would be about 8 inches more than double the length on the quilt), I just cut it in half and seam two cut edges.
After cutting the strips for binding from 42 inch wide fabric I'd probably have about 36 inch wide fabric which would still be plenty. If I don't have enough width, then I find other coordinating fabric to piece together (sometimes in a cool pattern so it is reversible!) to make the back large enough.
Hope this helps! Happy Quiltling!

How much yardage do you have? 4 yards?

Do you not want a straight seam? But you want to use the one fabric for the back, right?

Sounds like an opportunity to use John Flynn's diagonally cut backing solution:
http://www.flynnquilt.com/media/uplo...nalpb1103.pdf/

Yes, it's scary looking. Just remember - he's an engineer. ;-) But it is decipherable.

here's another post with a review of the method:
http://bsue.wordpress.com/2007/03/25...ng-directions/

I've never used it as I like multi-fabric pieced backs but I've always kept it in the back of my mind just in case I found myself in your exact situation.

I usually start with a 40-42" square for center of backing & add borders either with same fabric or fabric used on quilt top to get the desired backing size.

Thanks for this info, I'm going to give it a try tomorrow. :thumbup: