Quilt Backing Calculator | Designed to Quilt (2024)

Use this handy quilt backing calculator to calculate the backing yardage for your quilt and the required number of seams.

Wondering how much backing fabric you need? This quilt backing fabric calculator will calculate the exact backing fabric yardage needed for your quilt. It takes into account the width of the fabric you are using and the desired overage, so you will always get exact fabric requirements.

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Table of Contents

1. How to Use the Quilt Backing Calculator?
2. Reading the Results of the Backing Fabric Calculator
3. Vertical or Horizontal Seam on Quilt Backing
   • Vertical Backing Fabric Placement
   • Horizontal Backing Fabric Placement
4. Quilt Backing Chart
5. Quilt Backing Calculator FAQ
6. Explore Other Quilting Calculators

See Also

How Many Yards Of 108-Inch Fabric Do You Need For Quilt Backing? A Comprehensive Guide - North Shore CraftsNeed Help Calculating Quilt Backing? Try the 108 Quilt Backing Calculator - Knowing FabricMaximizing Your Quilt's Backing: Calculating the Perfect Amount of 108 Fabric YardsHow to Piece Quilt Backing (Plus a Backing Size Guide) - Hailey Stitches

How to Use the Quilt Backing Calculator?

Begin by entering the quilt top width and quilt top length. Use the illustration as a guide. The QW (quilt top width) is the horizontal dimension of the quilt top and the QL (quilt top length) is the vertical dimension of the quilt.

Enter the width of the fabric (WOF) you are using. This is the width of the fabric, measured from one selvage edge to the other. If you don’t enter any number, the calculator will use the default, which is 42’’ (as this is the most common WOF for quilting cotton).

Enter the desired overage. This is the amount of fabric that hangs over the edge. It is necessary for long-arm quilting to attach the quilt to the frame, so consult your long-armer about the required overage. Even if you plan to quilt on your domestic machine or by hand, some overage is required to account for the shifting of the quilt sandwich layers as you quilt.

Press CALCULATE to run the calculation.

Reading the Results of the Backing Fabric Calculator

The calculator provides two different calculations:

Option A calculates the backing fabric yardage (in inches and yards) for vertical piecing.

Option B calculates the backing fabric yardage (in inches and yards) for horizontal piecing.

The value in yards is rounded up to the nearest 1/8 of a yard.

For each, the number of backing fabric pieces and the number of required piecing seams are calculated. If more than one fabric piece is required, the calculator adds the seam allowance required for piecing (a 1/2” seam allowance is added) to the final yardage calculation.

Vertical or Horizontal Seam on Quilt Backing

When deciding whether to use vertical or horizontal seam(s) on your quilt backing it usually comes down to using as little fabric yardage as possible. If the direction of the fabric you are using as your backing is irrelevant, choose the orientation that uses the least yardage.

If you want the print to run in a specific direction, choose the fabric placement accordingly. The illustrations below show the backing fabric direction depending on the chosen fabric placement.

Vertical Backing Fabric Placement

If using vertical backing fabric placement, the backing fabric selvage runs vertically (parallel to the length of the quilt). If seams are required, they run vertically.

Horizontal Backing Fabric Placement

If using vertical backing fabric placement, the backing fabric selvage runs horizontally (parallel to the width of the quilt). If seams are required, they run horizontally.

Quilt Backing Chart

In case you prefer a chart as a quick reference, you can download our free quilt backing chart!

The quilt backing chart includes the backing yardage for some typical quilt sizes assuming the width of fabric (WOF) is 42”.

So how do you get this chart? Easy! Just sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send you the chart as a welcome gift!

Quilt Backing Calculator FAQ