You don't have to cut the border. Do a pieced edge and add it to the bottom of the quilt. Ohio Stars, 4P, Tiny dresden plates, Seminole piecing, etc. It would be wonderful, just one edge done this way! I love it!
peace

Been there done that - I so know what you are saying. I did a quilt for a friend (I NEVER quilt for anyone else). The backing was very tight and I put the quilt on sideways. What I did was as I have zippered leaders and I had some inches on the side, I took the whole thing off and cut off the extra on the side and sewed it onto the bottom.

Good luck :-(

Something similar happen to a friend. The longarmer told her she was short of fabric, so she sent over some extra fabric of the backing and of some of the front piecing fabric. I guess it was miscommunication, because the longarmer used the front fabric to add to the backing and turned the quilt back to her along with the unused extra backing. My friend's solution was to hand sew the extra backing over the whole length of the finished pieced area. She then hand quilted it from the back side just going through a few layers and matching stitch locations to the machine quilting on the front. Nobody is the wiser, and my friend is happy, although it took a bit of work.

In our group the educator says she always double rolls the quilts. This way she is really sure that the quilt is straight and fits.

Wondering, what is a "double roll"?

This is what I would do (and have done it!) You said ''bear's paw''--make enough blocks to add a row across the bottom of the backing....maybe smaller blocks than in the quilt top . Doesn't even have to be the same fabrics as the front as long as it is the same block pattern....it will coordinate. I don't let small stuff like this get to me. Of course, I like to piece my backing at the top of the quilt where you turn it back...but bottom is okay too. I would rather see the bear paw blocks that little strips sewn on. Just Sayin'.......

Why not post a picture of the material and maybe one of us could help you out?

Please don't be upset! I've been piecing backs on purpose for some time now, and it it makes the back so much more interesting. (I'm sure it started when I ran out of fabric!) You don't have to go all crazy with piecing - just a add a stipe or two if the length is too short. As a suggestion, if you do end up adding a stripe, I would suggest cutting the large part of the back into 2 sections -although try not to put the stripe in the exact middle - off center looks a little more artistic. Then add the fabric you need- maybe even several different fabrics that tie into the front, and then add the remaining large piece. It will look like you decided to do that on purpose - not that you ran out of fabric. Good luck!

I like to make my backs extra long but on occasion I mess up and have the same issue you had.When I do quilting for others I would hate to have this happen.

I'm sure she will be ok with your decision. After all back in 99, 14 years ago? I wouldn't worry too much. Hope you're not losing sleep over this?