Sorry for your frustrations, but unpick that baby and then cut it into approx 3 yard pieces from the longer parts & piece the other part into approx. a 3 yard piece and then stitch these 3 pieces together :-)

Your reply confuses me. I'm not sure what you mean by "each half". If you piece the back diagonally, you will have one single seam running diagonally, for instance from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. There will be no seam running down the middle.

I probably make more work for myself, but here's what I do....I lay out my quilt top on the largest flat surface available. I have only used regular 44-45" wide fabric - not wide backing. I then take my backing fabric and lay it on top of the top. I will fold the backing in half to see that I have enough length (and usually have more than enough). The fold the quilt in half. Does my backing show? By how much? If not, unfold everything and then do in thirds. Keep folding and unfolding until the proportions work out correctly. I'll then usually grab a pair of scissors and cut the pieces as they lay so I don't 'mis-remember' how it's supposed to be folded/sewn. So far this process has worked well for me and is far less taxing on my brain than doing calculations!

Never accept the yardage listed in a pattern as gospel. It's quite simple to figure yardage for your backing. Measure the width of your top, divide it by 40 (width of 44 inch fabric less selvage and shrinkage). That will give you the number of widths for your backing. (This may be larger than you need, but you can trim. Extra fabric can be used for binding or go into your stash.) Then, measure the length of your top. I add 6 inches to allow for any shrinkage due to the quilting. That will give you the length of each width. Then you sew the three panels together. If you need to trim, cut or tear off excess from two outer panels. I also leave 3 extra inches to each side as well as the length. In other words, if my top is 94 x 104 I make sure my backing measures 100 x 110.

Suggestions for piecing a quilt backing:

First, Jan in VA, I always appreciate your pictures. I suppose I'm more visual and you've helped me understand things several times.

Second, I was just struggling with figuring out the math for a backing earlier this evening so I sympathize with you. I have no advice or input (if I did, I wouldn't struggle so much myself), but wanted you to know you aren't the only one. Why is it that I can make an intricate top with a gazillion pieces, but can't make a backing with 2 or 3 pieces?

I don't know if you have ever visited the Craftsy web site but there is a free class by Elizabeth Hartman called Creative quilt backs that explain a lot of the measurements and what to do if you don't have enough of one fabric. I am still learning about the back side of the quilt. So far I have only done Lap quilts so usually I'm safe with one solid length.

Jan, wonderful. Thanks! I do love pictures too.

Dedemac, thanks for pointing this out. I didn't see that class but will go there and have a look.

Marshall Dry Goods Has 108"backing fabric for $7.99/yard

The first thing I did was look up where Paradise was incase you were close to Anaheim and didn't know about M & L Fabric Discount store, but you are too far away to go there on a whim. I piece my backs because I can find quality fabric (Kaufmann) in the flat fold section for $2.49. I also check out what Connecting Threads has in their discounted fabrics also, and lastly what folks are seeing here on the QB reasonably. For any bed size quilt I always buy 10 yards, this gives me enough for the backing, binding and a couple of pillowcases usually. Any left overs go in the scrap heap for scrappy quilts. I have bought 108 inch wide fabric also but not as a rule. Back art is popular at our Guild and members use a multiple of fabrics for backings and the effect can be really nice. Good luck!