Plan backing panels, or check the size and fit of a separate batting layer.
Your measurements
A saved plan is on this browser.
Your cutting plan
Ready when you are
Measurements changed. Calculate again to update your plan.
Measure your fabric. We'll work out the plan.
Measure your fabric. We'll work out the plan.
Enter your dimensions, then select Calculate. Or use the example to see a plan take shape.
Check your quilter's required overage before buying. Four inches per edge is a starting setting.
Convert a known length
A measurement reference, separate from your cutting plan. It converts length only; fabric width is not needed.
Give the quilt room on every edge
Quilt backing calculator
Measure the quilt top flat. Add the required overage to both ends of each dimension.
Compare lengthwise and crosswise panels. Each join uses two seam allowances; the joined backing must still cover the target.
Cut the panel lengths from the bolt, remove selvages, then join. Recheck the assembled size before layering.
Batting is a separate layer
Batting size & fit
Add the batting margin to both ends of the measured top. Backing overage and batting margin are separate settings.
A package fits only when both actual dimensions cover the required rectangle in an allowed orientation. Extra area cannot make up for a short edge.
For a roll, one required dimension must fit across its width. The other becomes the linear cut length; no batting joins are planned.
See the measurements at work
Short illustrated examples for the decisions around this tool.
Extra on every side changes the rectangle
Start with your quilter’s current requirements and the actual raw-edge measurements of the assembled top. An allowance of 4 in per side adds 8 in to each dimension. Backing coverage is measured after its seams are sewn; batting has its own allowance.
Worked example below. These fixed measurements are not your calculated cutting plan.
Add the allowance to every side
Measured top: 58 x 74 in.
4 in per side: 58 + 8 by 74 + 8 = 66 x 82 in.
5 in per side: 58 + 10 by 74 + 10 = 68 x 84 in.
4 in on every side
Measured top 58 x 74 in.
4 in on each side gives 66 x 82 in required coverage.
5 in on every side
Measured top 58 x 74 in.
5 in on each side gives 68 x 84 in required coverage.
Measured top
Required coverage
Per-side margin
The inner solid rectangle is the same measured top in both views. Hatched margins extend beyond it; dashed outer boundaries are the required backing rectangles. Confirm the actual allowance with the quilter.
Two joined widths span 83 inches
42 + 42 - (2 x 1/2) = 83 in assembled.
82 in required: covered by 1 in.
84 in required: 1 in short.
Compare the assembled span with both requirements
Top: assembled 83 in. Middle: required 82 in. Bottom: required 84 in.
83 in joined fabric span
Sewn join / required span
Width-only fabric schematic. Strip heights do not represent a backing length. Buying more length cannot widen these same two joined panels.
For a 58 × 74 in top, 4 in per side needs 66 × 82 in coverage; 5 in needs 68 × 84 in. Two 42 in panels joined with 1/2 in seams span 83 in. Extra purchased length cannot make those same two panel widths cover 84 in.
Compare the cut panels and the sewn back
A seam running across the quilt and a seam running down it can use different purchased lengths. Check print direction before comparing quantities. The calculator keeps directional prints in the orientation you choose.
Worked example below. These fixed measurements are not your calculated cutting plan.
Vertical panels keep bolt length upright
Measured top 60 x 72 in; required coverage 68 x 80 in.
Cut two 42 x 80 in panels. One join consumes 1 in total.
Assembled coverage 83 x 80 in; bolt length 160 in; buy 4 1/2 yd at 1/8-yard increments.
Cut from the bolt
2 cuts: 42 in across the bolt x 80 in along it.
Panel spacing is exploded for clarity; it is not extra cutting length.
Join in the quilt orientation
42 + 42 - 1 = 83 in joined width.
Cut or assembled fabric edge
Join / required coverage
The arrow left of each drawing is quilt up; arrows inside the fabric follow bolt length. Dashed lines identify the join and the required coverage boundary. The fabric grain runs from quilt top to bottom. No print matching, shrinkage or squaring extra is included.
Horizontal panels turn bolt length across the quilt
Measured top 60 x 72 in; required coverage 68 x 80 in.
Cut two 42 x 68 in panels. One join consumes 1 in total.
Assembled coverage 68 x 83 in; bolt length 136 in; buy 3 7/8 yd at 1/8-yard increments.
Cut from the bolt
2 cuts: 42 in across the bolt x 68 in along it.
Panel spacing is exploded for clarity; it is not extra cutting length.
Join in the quilt orientation
42 + 42 - 1 = 83 in joined height.
Cut or assembled fabric edge
Join / required coverage
The arrow left of each drawing is quilt up; arrows inside the fabric follow bolt length. Dashed lines identify the join and the required coverage boundary. Turning the panels can turn a one-way print sideways. This purchase is 5/8 yd less than the vertical example. No print matching, shrinkage or squaring extra is included.
These examples use a 60 × 72 in top, 4 in extra per side, 42 in usable width and 1/2 in seams. They exclude print matching, shrinkage and further squaring. Ask your quilter about seam placement and loading direction.
Wider cloth changes the whole purchase
Compare two workable plans using their actual usable widths, allowed orientation and rounded purchase amounts. A nominal 108 in width is not a promise that all 108 in are cuttable.
Worked example below. These fixed measurements are not your calculated cutting plan. Prices here are invented illustrations, not current shop prices or offers.
Compare rounded purchases and full cost
Measured top 72 x 84 in + 4 in per side = 80 x 92 in required.
Both options keep bolt length running from quilt top to bottom.
Invented example prices only. Wideback costs $1.50 more in this example.
42 in usable, two panels
$61.50
Two 42 x 92 in cuts join to 83 x 92 in. 184 in required; buy 5 1/8 yd x invented $12/yd.
106 in usable wideback
$63.00
One 92 in length, with no piecing seam. Buy 2 5/8 yd x invented $24/yd. Nominal width 108 in is not the usable width.
Prices are invented fabric-only examples, not retail offers. Tax, shipping, matching and extra squaring length are excluded. Fewer yards do not automatically mean a lower total price.
This illustration holds the fabric’s lengthwise direction from the quilt’s head to foot for an 80 × 92 in target. Prices are invented examples, not offers. Tax, delivery, matching and squaring are excluded; rotation would be a separate comparison.
Keep a different size record for each stage
Settle borders first. Measure the sewn top for backing and batting. After quilting, measure the trimmed quilt again for binding. Early measurements can help you reserve fabric, but the final cut plan should follow the actual work.
Worked example below. These fixed measurements are not your calculated cutting plan.
Keep three separate measurement records
Border example: 3 in finished width, 3 1/2 in cut width, 1/4 in construction seams.
The later 48 x 60 in measurement is hypothetical, not a shrinkage formula.
Pressed center, before borders
42 1/2 x 54 1/2 in
Measured raw edge to raw edge.
Top, after sewing the borders
48 1/2 x 60 1/2 in
The example assumes the assembled top actually measures this raw-edge size.
After quilting and trimming
48 x 60 in
A hypothetical later measurement. Binding perimeter: 2 x (48 + 60) = 216 in.
Replace a planning estimate with an actual measurement at each stage. The final binding perimeter is measured after quilting and trimming; 216 inches is the perimeter only, before reserve and joins.
Give backing and batting their own records
Measured top before quilting: 48 1/2 x 60 1/2 in.
Example requirement for each layer: 4 in per side, giving 56 1/2 x 68 1/2 in.
Backing requirement
Measured top 48.5 x 60.5 in.
4 in on each side gives 56.5 x 68.5 in required coverage.
Batting requirement
Measured top 48.5 x 60.5 in.
4 in on each side gives 56.5 x 68.5 in required coverage.
Measured top
Required layer boundary
Independent layer margin
The two equal margins are a stated choice for this example, not a rule that backing and batting always match. These required rectangles do not establish backing yardage or package fit.
Backing and batting extra belongs outside the top. It does not enlarge the quilt design. Follow your batting’s care and quilting-distance instructions.
This tool starts with 4 inches on each edge. Longarm requirements vary, so enter the allowance your quilter asks for.
Can I use a directional print?
Yes. Lengthwise panels keep the fabric's length running from the quilt's top to bottom. Crosswise panels rotate that length across the quilt. Check the actual print before cutting.
Does wide backing need a seam?
If the usable width covers one target dimension, a single panel may work. Enter the width you can actually use after removing selvages.
Is this the least possible fabric?
It compares rectangular full-width panels in the allowed directions. Pattern matching, pieced offcuts, shrinkage and more elaborate layouts are outside the plan.
Does batting use the backing margin?
No. Enter the batting margin your quilter requires. Changing it does not change the separate backing plan.
Can I use the package bed-size label?
Measure or read its actual width and length. A nominal queen or twin label does not establish that both edges fit your top and margins.
What does an exact fit leave?
Only the margin you entered. There is no added tolerance for squaring, shrinkage or joining.
Why can a wider roll use less length?
With rotation allowed, the longer required edge can go across the roll. The shorter edge then becomes the cut length.
