Quilt Fabric Calculator

Work out the squares, strips, binding and backing a quilt needs from its finished size and the size of one block.

Finished quilt width in

Finished quilt length in

Finished size of one square in

The size the square measures in the finished quilt, before the quarter inch seam is added back.

Fabric width (bolt width) in

Quilting cotton is almost always 44/45 in. Wide backing is 108 in.

Waste allowance for the top %

Covers the offcut at the end of each strip, squaring up, and the triangles left when squares are cut individually. 15 percent if every square is cut from continuous strips, 25 on a directional print.

Binding strip width in

2.5 in is the standard. 2.25 in is used on small quilts and tight curves.

Backing overhang per side in

Longarm quilters normally ask for 4 in on every side. 8 in gives more room for a big pattern.

Backing

Wide backing is 108 in and needs no seaming, which is why longarm quilters prefer it.

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