klswift

Make your backing bigger. I almost never have a plain backing. I use it as a place to use the bits and bobs left over. For that small of a top, I might add a diagonal stripe about 6 or 8 inches wide. This would allow for plenty of room to trim it and not have seams to close to the corners. You could use a complimentary piece of fabric or sew together your leftovers to make the strip. Another suggestion is to add a 'cross' in the center - 4" band in the middle across and 4" middle top to bottom.

Moira in N.E. England

Whoops - I’ve just re-read my message and realised last sentence should read - ‘ ... but if it’s pulled back a little I’ll add a facing.’

Sorry!

1Nanoo

This sounds like a very sensible solution. I would be very, very reluctant to quilt a sandwich that was utterly even.

maviskw

Not a border. Use strips down the middle off center as grammasharon said in post #4. It would be too hard to keep the widths of a back border even.

nativetexan

ha, i wondered about the facing or binding. I was thinking of just using those clips to hold the backing to the front while you quilt. it really shouldn't move that way. Good luck, no matter what you decide.

FoxyLady

Love Elmer's Glue. With it you can have same size front and back, even though I leave about a 2" margin on the back and batting.. When I use this method here are a couple of things I do that make it easier. I mark my backing on the edges of the lengthwise fold and the width fold with a washable marker. Then do the same for the batting and the top. Makes lining up very easy. Usually after gluing the batting to the back and then to the front I use my hands to smooth press the batting and fabric together. Yesterday I had a light-bulb idea. Why not use a rolling pin? I tried it, and wow, it really did the trick. Another re-purposing for an old favorite.

Ellen 1

As a reference for future backings that don’t quite fit right, google: “John Flynn backing on the diagonal”. This is a great technique. I am not a math person so I just “wing” it, but this gives the explanation of how it works.

sailsablazin

I had the same problem with a table runner. I was not going to take the chance that I get the whole thing Hand quilted and then not have enough fabric so that I could add a decent binding.
I just copied the same star that was on the front of the table runner and enlarged it. Placed the large star in the middle of the backing fabric so that I did not have to panic the whole time. Therefore, I have about 3 inches of extra fabric on the ends where I had 1/4" extra fabric before.
It sure looks like I planned it that way...pretty darn good looking if you ask me. Wish that I knew how to send pictures.

ABDraz

I would piece the back. Cut the backing once top/bottom off center. Cut a strip 5" x length of another fabric. Sew to each piece to form a vertical stripe. Cut the backing side/side off center. Now cut a piece 5" x new width of back of another fabric. Sew to each piece to form a horizontal stripe.

Lee in Richmond

I would just add some "waste" strips long all 4 sides that would allow you to pull the quilt together easier than if you just had the same size pieces. Does that make sense? I have done that for a long arm quilter, and it made it work for her.