QUILT PLANNING / BACKING
How much backing fabric do I need?
Start with the backing dimensions, then count full-width fabric panels. Dividing the quilt area by fabric width misses seam losses and can underestimate your purchase.
Measure, allow, compare
- Measure the quilt top in both directions. Use the largest dimensions if it is not quite square.
- Add your quilter’s overage to both edges of each dimension. Four inches per side adds eight inches to width and length.
- Measure usable fabric width after selvages. Compare vertical and horizontal panel layouts.
- Include the fabric consumed by joins, convert total cut length to yards, and round the purchase up.
A 60 × 80 inch quilt
With 4 in per side, the required back is 68 × 88 in. Two 42 in panels joined with ½ in on each edge cover 83 in across. Cut each panel 88 in long: 176 ÷ 36 = 4.889 yd. Buying in eighths means 5 yd. The horizontal layout needs three 68 in cuts and rounds to 5¾ yd.
↔ Swipe or scroll sideways to compare all columns.
| Example quilt top | 42 in usable | 106 in usable wide-back |
|---|---|---|
| Crib · 36 × 52 in | 2 1/2 yd · 2 panels | 1 1/4 yd · 1 panel |
| Throw · 50 × 60 in | 3 1/4 yd · 2 panels | 1 5/8 yd · 1 panel |
| Twin · 70 × 90 in | 5 1/2 yd · 2 panels | 2 1/4 yd · 1 panel |
| Queen · 90 × 100 in | 8 1/4 yd · 3 panels | 3 yd · 1 panel |
| King · 108 × 108 in | 9 3/4 yd · 3 panels | 6 1/2 yd · 2 panels |
Assumes 4 in extra on every side, ½ in seam allowance on each joined edge, and the lower-yardage full-panel layout. The wide-back column models a 108 in fabric with 106 in usable after trimming; measure your own cloth. A 90 × 100 in top needs a 98 × 108 in back: the 106 in width covers the 98 in side, so one 108 in length works. Purchases round up to the next ⅛ yd. Sizes are examples, not bed-size standards. Shrinkage, print matching and additional squaring waste are excluded.
What changes the estimate?
Wide-back fabric may cover one dimension without a seam. A directional print can rule out the otherwise shorter layout. Shrinkage and matching a repeating motif require extra planning: neither is included in these estimates. Measure after any intended prewashing and allow for squaring individual cuts.
Use the seam direction guide to compare layouts, or check wide-back against regular fabric before buying.
Read our calculation methods and limits. Examples use the same arithmetic as the calculators and are planning estimates, not independently field-tested sewing instructions. Confirm allowances with your quilter.