Running out of fabric halfway through a quilt is a special kind of heartbreak, especially when that print is no longer available. A little planning up front saves a lot of stress later. Here's how we figure it out.
Want the quick answer? Enter your quilt size in our fabric yardage calculator and get backing, binding and batting amounts in seconds.
Step 1: Pick Your Quilt Size
Quilt sizes aren't fully standard, but these are common starting points. Bed quilts depend on how far you want the quilt to hang over the sides of the mattress.
| Quilt |
Typical Size |
Mattress Size |
| Baby |
36" x 52" |
Crib, 28" x 52" |
| Throw |
60" x 70" |
Sofa or lap |
| Twin |
70" x 90" |
39" x 75" |
| Full |
84" x 90" |
54" x 75" |
| Queen |
90" x 108" |
60" x 80" |
| King |
108" x 108" |
76" x 80" |
Step 2: Estimate the Quilt Top
If you're following a pattern, use its fabric list. It's always the most accurate. If you're designing your own, here's a handy rule of thumb:
- Multiply the quilt width by the length to get the area in square inches.
- Add about 20% for seam allowances and trimming.
- Divide by 1,440, which is roughly the square inches in one yard of regular width fabric.
Example: A 60" x 70" throw is 4,200 square inches. Add 20% and you get 5,040. Divide by 1,440 and you need about 3 1/2 yards total for the top. Then split that between your fabrics however you like.
Lots of tiny pieces or triangles? Bump that extra up to 25% or 30%.
Step 3: Binding
Most quilters cut binding strips 2 1/2" wide. Here's how much you'll need:
| Quilt Size |
Strips Needed |
Binding Fabric |
| Throw |
7 |
1/2 yard |
| Twin |
9 |
3/4 yard |
| Full |
9 |
3/4 yard |
| Queen |
11 |
7/8 yard |
| King |
12 |
7/8 yard |
To figure any size: add up all four sides, add 12" for corners and joining, then divide by 40 to get the number of strips. Multiply the strips by 2 1/2" and divide by 36 for yards.
Step 4: Backing
Your backing should be about 8" bigger than your quilt top in each direction. We put together a full chart in our guide, How Much Backing Fabric Do I Need? The short version: 108" wide backing saves a lot of fabric and piecing on bigger quilts.
Our Best Advice
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Buy a little extra of any fabric you love. A quarter yard of insurance is cheaper than a second shipment.
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Buy it all at once when you can. Dye lots can vary between bolts.
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Not sure? Send us your pattern or quilt size and we'll help you work it out.
Ready to start planning? Browse our quilting cotton and precuts, and let's get that quilt started.
