QMouse ... I'm not sure where you are coming from with your comment? After hearing so many saying they could not afford fabric to do their projects, and could not afford to have s stash, for the same reason, I was just making the comparison.

if the fabric has a distinct pattern you can match the pattern with diagonal seam and probably will never know it.
You might have to buy a little more. Check the repeat and see if you can do this. If fabric has no distinct pattern then don't have to worry about matching. Is that 52 1/2 inch one one cut or two cuts or multiple cuts for border
Do you have a picture of the quilt.

Guess I am asking what you do next with the long strip

Then you might be able to use the larger piece as part of the backing

I prefer to cut my borders lengthwise even if I have to buy extra fabric.
Cutting borders crosswise tend to stretch and that's where wavy borders can
occur. I can live with one seam in the middle. If I needed a 52 1/2" I would
probably buy one yard and keep the rest for my stash. ;-)

QuiltE, I did not take offence, but I thought maybe I had been abrupt, was just saying sorry. *quiltmouse: striving for peace*

I do understand those with financial constraints, have been there many times.

That said, I would go with the 1 1/2 yd, using one LOF and having stash, like you said.

Do you think there would there be any interest in a site that sells "borders only"?

52 1/2 x 3 1/2 would be $2

100 x 6 would be $6.25

I don't know if the shipping would make it not worthwhile. Costs would include supplies & postage.