Quilt Fabric Yardage Converter
Calculate fabric yardage needed by quilt size and block pattern.
Estimate total fabric for backing, binding, and patchwork.
Select a quilt size or enter custom dimensions to estimate fabric yardage.
Estimating quilt fabric yardage requires knowing the finished quilt size, block size, and how many different fabrics you plan to use.
Standard quilt sizes (finished dimensions):
| Quilt Size | Width x Length (inches) | Width x Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Crib / Baby | 36 x 52 | 91 x 132 |
| Lap / Throw | 50 x 65 | 127 x 165 |
| Twin | 66 x 90 | 168 x 229 |
| Full / Double | 80 x 90 | 203 x 229 |
| Queen | 90 x 95 | 229 x 241 |
| King | 108 x 95 | 274 x 241 |
Quilting fabric standard width: Most quilting cotton fabric is 44-45 inches (112-114 cm) wide on the bolt. After removing selvage edges, the usable width is approximately 42 inches (107 cm).
How to estimate yardage for patchwork tops:
- Determine the total area of the quilt: Width x Length
- Divide by the usable fabric width (42 inches) to find how many strips you need
- Add 10-15% for waste from cutting, squaring up, and seam allowances
Quick yardage estimates by quilt size (single fabric for entire top):
| Quilt Size | Top Fabric | Backing Fabric | Binding Fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby (36x52) | 1.5 yards | 1.75 yards | 0.4 yards |
| Lap (50x65) | 2.0 yards | 3.5 yards | 0.5 yards |
| Twin (66x90) | 4.0 yards | 5.5 yards | 0.6 yards |
| Full (80x90) | 5.0 yards | 7.5 yards | 0.7 yards |
| Queen (90x95) | 6.0 yards | 8.5 yards | 0.8 yards |
| King (108x95) | 7.0 yards | 9.5 yards | 0.9 yards |
Backing fabric note: Quilts wider than 42 inches need pieced backing (two or more widths sewn together), which is why backing requires significantly more fabric than the top.
Binding calculation:
- Binding strips go around the entire perimeter of the quilt.
- Perimeter = 2 x (Width + Length) + 10 inches (for joining strips and corners).
- Standard binding is cut 2.5 inches wide.
- Yards of binding fabric = (Perimeter / 42 inches per strip) x 2.5 inches / 36 inches per yard.
Practical tips:
- Always buy 10-15% more fabric than calculated to account for shrinkage, cutting errors, and squaring up.
- Pre-wash all fabrics before cutting to prevent uneven shrinkage in the finished quilt.
- Fat quarters (18 x 22 inches / 46 x 56 cm) are popular for variety in patchwork but less efficient for large pieces.
- When using multiple fabrics, divide the total yardage among the number of fabrics, then add extra for each.