I just finished my first ever quilt....IF you want to call it that! I made a crib-sized quilt for my grandson using a single piece of fabric for both sides (no piecing). I did vertical "organic" lines of machine quilting, made my own binding and it turned out very nice! As a bonus, I enjoyed it. It was a total experiment for me and it was a success. I made this because I wanted to see if I was capable of doing it as I think I want to make a quilt to send to my son in Afghanistan. So, my question is figuring out the fabric....I will obviously buy the yardage based on how long I want the quilt to be but I will need to do a vertical seam to make get the width I want....correct? Am I going to have this seam in the center and I will need to trim the sides? I know, simple question, but remember I am a quilt virgin. Thanks for your help!!

Welcome from Kentucky! I understand your questions, but someone else will be able to explain much better than I!

Welcome from Michigan!
So you want to make the same type of quilt for your son, Basically one piece of fabric on both sides?
Don't go with a single seam. Take 2 lengths of fabric and cut one in half sew the 2 pieces to each side of the uncut piece, centering it. If it's too wide, then trim a bit from both sides. When you make the backing, cut an inch or two from the center piece so the seams on the front and back don't line up.

You can buy fabric that is like 108 inches wide so that you wouldn't have to have that vertical seam. Congratulations on making your first quilt. :) And welcome from Oregon

Okay, thank you. I had a feeling the "seam down the center" wasn't the way to go. Thanks for your help.

Um, okay, that sounds like an option as well. thank you.

Welcome from Louisiana:) There are wider fabrics available if you don't want a seam on the front. They are usually used for backing sometimes called "fat backs". You might want to try some simple pieced block to expand your skills. A 9 patch or 4 patch is a good place to start. Ask questions....there is always help on the QB.

You can buy quilt backings up to 120" wide for very reasonable prices - so you don't have to piece the back unless you just want to. :)

I buy most of my wide backings from Judi: http://stores.ebay.com/QUILT-UNIQUE-FABRICS-AND-GIFTS - she's got about 120 different ones from $8-12/yd. Very reliable seller and FAST! :)

When you do piece a back, you can sew two widths together side by side, so that one seam runs down the middle. (or across the middle, in the case of horizontal piecing)

Or you can place the two widths together and sew along both selvege edges to make a tube, then cut one layer of fabric right in the middle of the two seams, along the entire length. This gives you one wide piece in the center and a smaller piece on each side.

Some people piece leftovers from the front into a strip for the back - I haven't tried that because I'm not real great at quilting normal amounts of fabric, yet, much less doubled amounts. :) But, it can have a very pretty effect and it thins down the scrap bag.

Duh, use the quote button! thanks for the info.

Welcome and congratulations on your first quilt.

Maybe to make it a little more interesting and add just a bit of challenge, you could pick two coordinating fabrics and use one as a wide border. Your son will love it no matter how you decide to do it.