Quilt Backing Fabric

Why Use Wide Quilt Backing?

Regular quilting cotton is about 42" to 44" wide, so backing a bed-size quilt usually means sewing two or three panels together. Wide backing is about 108" wide, which covers most quilts in a single piece.

• No seams to piece: skip the cutting, sewing, and pressing
• A cleaner finish: no seam lines showing through or adding bulk
• Easier quilting: a smooth back loads evenly on a longarm or under your machine
• Often costs less: you usually need fewer yards than with regular width fabric

How Much Wide Backing Do I Need?

Not sure how much backing to buy? Use our Fabric Yardage Calculator to estimate backing and binding yardage for your quilt measurements.

Sending your quilt to a longarm quilter? Ask how much extra they need. Some prefer 6" or more on each side.

Need help with the math? Read our guide: How Much Backing Fabric Do I Need?

Add about 4" to each side of your quilt top (8" total to the width and length), then divide the length by 36 to get yards. Here's a quick guide for 108" wide backing, rounded up to the nearest quarter yard:

• Throw (60" x 70"): 2 1/4 yards
• Twin (70" x 90"): 2 3/4 yards
• Full (84" x 90"): 2 3/4 yards
• Queen (90" x 108"): 3 1/4 yards
• King (108" x 108"): a 108" backing is too narrow once you add extra, so you'll need to piece it or choose an extra-wide backing

Sending your quilt to a longarm quilter? Ask how much extra they need. Some prefer 6" or more on each side.

Styles to Choose From

• Florals and prints: including classic Morris & Co designs
• Tone-on-tone and blenders: subtle patterns that let your quilt top shine
• Batiks: rich, saturated color in wide widths
• Seasonal and novelty: holiday, patriotic, and themed prints

Quilt Backing FAQs

How wide is quilt backing fabric?

Most wide backing is 106" to 108" wide. Standard quilting cotton is about 42" to 44".

Is wide backing fabric cut in one piece?

Yes. Every yardage order is cut in one continuous length.

Can I use wide backing for other projects?

Yes. It works well for tablecloths, curtains, photo backdrops, and other projects that need a lot of fabric without seams.

Should I pre-wash quilt backing?

If you pre-washed your quilt top fabrics, pre-wash the backing too so everything shrinks the same amount.