I never get backing at Joann's anymore, I wasn't happy with the quality. I buy most of mine online. Recently found Backside Fabrics www.backsidefabrics.com - All they sell is wide backing and they have some lovely choices!

At Lolly's in Shipshewana, IN they tear the wide fabric to make sure it's straight. Wish they all did that.

Yes they are expensive, but remember they are 108" wide or wider. If you buy 3.5 yards of the backing fabric, you will pay roughly 56.00, and if you buy 5.5 yards of regular width fabric at 12.00 a yard, you will pay roughly 60.00. There's not much difference and you don't have to seam the wide backing fabric. Check out Connecting Threads backing fabrics also.

I just ask at the cutting table and they point me to them.

I just bought some beautiful backing fabrics from thousandsofbolts.com and marshalldrygoods.com -- and their prices were very reasonable.

Have you tried this site?

http://www.marshalldrygoods.com/

I primarily use 108" backs. I generally get them from Backsidequilters.com but you can find them at many sites; e.g., Keepsake, Hancock, etc. I found that most of the backing this size comes from Pakistan or China. Cottons from Pakistan, to me, warp much more than from other places. I've found this to be true on bed linens as well. I usually order 1/2 yard more than I need, wash it, then rip, instead of cut, at the raw edges so I'll get the true grain. Once I've done that I measure how much I need for the particular quilt and rip to get a piece with that measurement. It makes it much easier when you're putting your quilt sandwich together. If I don't have a use for the rest, I put it aside and donate it to a group that makes quilts for homeless children. They really appreciate the long strips they can get from my leftovers.

Lolly's is a must stop (and shop of course!) when DH and I visit family in the area. Love the lower level shop where markdown fabrics and "boat" load of fat qtrs are found. Yoder's is also a great source for fabric - love their expansion.

Have you looked online? I FABRIC.com has 108" and wider. They are around 13 a yard but I got 25% off and free shipping with sales and coupons. Also, 5bucksayard.com has 108 for 9.99 a yard, but limited selection. Finally THOUSANDSOFBOLTS.com has a good selection averaging 10-12 a yard. I got some great wide backing at fabric.com. Been pleased with everything Ive gotten from that store. Have fun shopping.

Don't count on people from Jo-Anns reading these threads. I've talked to some of them about some things that I learned about here, and they are clueless about things that have been talked about many times on this board.