It would have to be a pretty wide border for me to chose not to do it on the diagonal, it really is less bulky and stronger.

Are you referring to your "backing"? If so, you can make your yardage go much farther or if you don't have enough length of fabric, if you cut it in this manner and make it work. I have not tried this but can see how it could be very useful. There is a tutorial somewhere out there. I believe the man's name is John Flynn and he sells a portable FMQ system that you may use your reg sewing machine for FMQing.
www.flynnquilt.com. I know I printed it out way back when. If I find it, I will send it to you PM. Yolanda Wood River

Are you talking about the back or the border?

I think it is just a personal preference. I have seen some very experienced quilters piece a straight seam on their borders. I like the looks of a diagonal seam better. Personal preference.

I preferr the diagonal piecing on a boarder too. But, to each his own. I'm glad we aren't all alike. That's what keeps life interesting.

for bindings it makes the seam less bulky

Straight cut does use less fabric, and I would diffentaly iron seam open to reduce bulk. Which may or may not be an issue on the border when quilting. Some times the pattern of the fabric will tell us which one to do....Sometimes with these issues, it is what ever YOU are comfortable with...as quilting is more an Art than a true science......

pretty sure the original question was about pieced backing and just want to say i have used the John Flynn method, described on his website and IT REALLY WORKS the results are wonderful and smoother to free motion quilt and also to hand quilt which is what i will be doing as soon as i shut down this distracting computer. :roll:

Now I'm confused I thought we were talking abour boarders. I would never piece the back on the diagonal.

Okay, I am not the only new quilter here and pardon me for not knowing but what is "WOF?" I am still getting use to the new English OMG!