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Calculating yardage for quilt back

by Cindy Gamble
(Florence, KY)

Cindy asks...

How much backing is needed, if my quilt measures 63 inches by 78 inches?

Julie replies...

At a minimum 4-7/8 yards plus a bit extra for fabric not cut straight from the store.

Here's how I calculate my fabric requirements based on the following assumptions:

  • Regular quilt fabric yardage is used for the back. For these calculations I assume that the usable width of the fabric is 40 inches...usable width is what's left after the selvedges are removed. If the back needs to be pieced, I subtract another 1" for the seam allowances.

  • The backing is pieced with 1/2" seam allowances that are pressed open to minimize bulk.

  • The lengthwise grain of the backing runs from the top to the bottom of the quilt. If the quilt hangs on a wall, the grainline will add stability.

  • Backing is cut larger than the quilt top--generally 6-8 inches larger--here I'm using 8 inches.

The Calculations

Step 1: Determine the quilt back size

Add 8" to both the length and width of the quilt top

(63" + 8") by (78" + 8")

or...

71" by 86" is the size needed



Step 2: Determine the number of lengths of fabric

Since neither the final length nor width are less than or equal to the usable width of fabric (40"), the back needs to be pieced.

Divide the width from Step 1 above by the usable width of fabric

71" divided by 40"

equals

1.775 lengths

Round up to the nearest whole number, so it takes

2 lengths of fabric to create this back



Step 3: Determine the yardage needed for the quilt back

Multiply the number of lengths by the length in inches and then convert to yards.

2 time 86"

equals

172"

Now convert to yardage

172" divided by 36"

equals

4.77777 yards

Round up to the nearest 1/8 yard

4-7/8 yards is the minimum required to piece your quilt back


And add a 'fudge factor'...

Take the time to square up the fabric you use for backing.

There's nothing as annoying as buying the yardage from your calculations, bringing it home and cutting it in half...only to find that it was cut crooked off the bolt and the resulting back isn't square. Because it isn't square, it turns out not to be big enough.

Nuts! And double Nuts!

To avoid this problem, I'll buy extra yardage with the intent of using it for a matching sleeve. (This extra amounts to 9" time the number of lengths calculated in Step 2 above). There's extra fabric if I need it for the back. If not, there's a purpose for it.

And as always, buy backing fabric that you like. Most quilt shops have sale fabrics precisely for this purpose. Pick something fun from the stock and enjoy it.

Frequently I'll add as much as 12" to the length and width of the quilt top (in Step 1) so that the scraps that remain (after squaring up the quilt) are a more usable/versatile size i.e. you have more options with a four inch strip the length of the quilt than a 1 inch strip.

I hope this answer is helpful to you. Thank you for your question.

Comments for Calculating yardage for quilt back

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grandsons quilt
by: Anonymous

Figuring for grandsons quilt
Thank you!
by: NJ Baker Girl

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making providing this useful information. I just started making quilts of all different sizes and stress about the yardage for the back.

This is a huge lifesaver!

Thank you again!

From the Editor: You're welcome. Glad to be of assistance!

~ Julie

PS I used to hail from NJ...South Plainfield to be exact...then I moved to Plainfield, IL...messed with the Post Office's mind a bit! :D
Meters needed
by: Val

I have a 52X38inch quilt I have 3 meters of fabric how do I cut it for piecing, adding 8 inches to each for longarming?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

From the Editor: Personally, I always go with adding 8" to each dimension. That way there's always enough fabric, I don't need to be quite so careful centering the quilt on the backing, and when I trim off the excess after the quilt is finished, I like to have pieces that are usable instead of trash. That would mean a quilt back equal to at least 60" x 46".

Since you are using the services of a long-armer, ask them what their requirements are. There's a good chance they're different than for a domestic sewing machine.

If you were on a domestic sewing machine AND your fabric length was square AND your quilt isn't going to hang on a wall, then cut two 46" lengths. Sew them together with a 1/2" horizontal seam, pressing the seam allowances open to reduce bulk. It should measure approximately 46" x 91ish". Trim down to the size needed.

If it doesn't hang, you don't need the extra stability provided by the lengthwise grain.

If the quilt is to hang on a wall with the same assumptions—the length being truly square is the main one—then I'd cut it into two 58-1/2" lengths, seaming with a 1/2" vertical seam. You end up with a piece that's 58-1/2" x 91ish".

Yes, this is smaller than I'd prefer, but we have to work with what we've got.

So...

...be extremely careful to truly center the top and batting on the backing.

After basting, I would go in and add a basting stitch less than a 1/4" from the edge to stabilize all three layers for added insurance.

I hope this helps.

Piecefully,

Julie Baird
Question & need help
by: Linda

Hi Julie,

I have a quilt from that measures 77 3/4 long X 53 inches.

This is really my first time making a large quilt!

I am not sure how to make the backing for this quilt.

Can you offer some suggestions?

Thank you so very much.

Linda


From the Editor: Glad to help, Linda.

First, add 8" to both dimensions. (If we didn't add any extra you'd inevitably run out of backing on one side. Either the quilting stitches took up some of the backing or it wasn't centered to start with.)

77-3/4" + 8" = 85-3/4"

53" +8" = 61"

We need a backing 61" by 85-3/4".

Based on these assumptions:
  1. The quilt is 53" wide and 79-3/4" tall

  2. You are piecing the back and not using a wide backing
Since both measurements are wider than 44/45" and less than 2 widths minus seam allowance and selvedges (45" + 45" - 1" - 1"), regardless of the direction you seam the backing fabric, you'll need two lengths.

If the quilt hangs on a wall you'll want a seam that's on the lengthwise grain from top to bottom. So you need 2 lengths of 85-3/4" or 2 x 85-3/4" = 171.5".

Divide this by 36 to get the number of yards you need or 171.5" ÷ 36 = 4.7638. Round up to the nearest yard increment or 4-7/8 yards.

If the quilt won't hang on a wall there's no need to worry about the grainline of the backing. In this instance, your seam is on the lengthwise grain of the fabric, but the seam now runs from side to side.

You'll need 2 lengths of 61" or 2 x 61" = 122".

Divide by 36 to find the yardage or 122" ÷ 36" = 3.3888yds

Round up to the nearest cut-able yardage or 3-1/2 yards.

You can see how you intend to use the quilt makes a difference in the amount of backing that you need. Here, if grainline is of no consequence, you can save 4-7/8yds - 3-1/2yds or 1-3/8 yards.

I hope this helps.

Piecefully,

Julie Baird
Mystery solved!
by: Billie B

Thank you so much for this instruction on backing.

So very helpful.

From the Editor: You're welcome, Billie!

~ Julie
I am confused
by: Meredith

I don’t understand why you multiply the number of lengths times the length of the quilt, ie, why did you multiply 86 X 2?

Can you explain that better?

From the Editor: When the width of the quilt is wider than your quilt fabric (usually 44/45" wide minus the selvedge) and narrower than 2 times this width, Then you need 2 lengths of fabric. These lengths are sewn together to make a piece (your backing) that is wide enough for your quilt top to be basted to, with a bit extra for the insurance.

Does that make sense?

If you're making a King Size quilt, it's quite possible that you'd need three lengths to make a backing that's wide enough.

I hope this helps.

Piecefully,

Julie Baird
backing yardage
by: kathleen

Quilt measures 90"x110" backing fabric is 90 wide how much yardage do I need?

From the Editor:

Given that your backing fabric is 90" wide, you'll need either:
  • 2 x 90" plus an extra 8-12 inches, horizontal backing seam, or...

  • 2 x 110" plus an extra 8-12 inches, vertical backing seam
The reason for the extra 8-12 inches is you need at least 4-6 inches on each side when quilting to have something to hold onto and protect the edges. Doubling 4-6 give you 8-12 inches because there are two pairs of opposite edges to a quilt back.

The reason for 2 lengths is that 90" wide fabric has a usable width (that's after you remove the selvages) of something less than 90". It's not wide enough on its own to adequately cover the back of the quilt.

If you're having the quilt long-armed, your longarmer may want more.

I hope this helps.

~ Julie
Thanks!
by: Jolene

Thanks! This makes things much easier!
Yardage for quilt backing
by: Patti

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! I've searched and searched for an easy, uncomplicated answer to my question and you nailed it! I thought it would be easy to find, but not so.

Your site made it easy, quick and simple to understand. Now I'm anxious to buy the backing I need to finish a memory quilt.

From the Editor:

You are too kind! I'm so glad it got you un-stuck!

~ Julie
Calculate material
by: Anonymous

Making a wall hanging or lap quilt for nephew for his lacrosse team 50 x 50 roughly not sure if I calculated it right need some help material is 44 wide.

From the Editor: Because standard width quilt fabric generally runs 44-45" wide, you will need two lengths of fabric.

Add 8" for the extra needed around the edges so that's

(50" + 8") by (50" + 8") = 58" square


So you'll need two lengths of 58" or 2 times 58" equals 116".

To find the yardage divide this number by 36".

116" divided by 36" = 3.22 yards

Round up to 3.25 or 3-1/4 yards


There'll be lots of extra fabric leftover because you need less than half of the second length to cover the back. Choose something that makes you happy so you can use it up in another project.

I hope this helps.

Piecefully,

Julie Baird
Editor
68" sq quilt backing quest5ion
by: Jackie

Found 60" knit fabric to back 68" sq quilt. How do I figure fabric and cutting?

Please help.

Julie replies...

To determine the size of the backing you'll need, I just plugged in your numbers into the example above:

(68" + 8") by (68" + 8") = 74" square


I assume you'll lose 2" removing the selvedges from your fabric leaving you with 58" of usable width.

Since this is less than the 74" needed, you'll need to piece the back. To figure how many lengths of fabric you'll need:

74" divided by 58" = 1.276 lengths


Round up to full lengths and you'll need two.

A length is equal to the length of your quilt which is 74".

2 x 74" = 148"


Divide that by 36" to convert to yardage.

148" divided by 36" = 4.111 yards


Round up to the nearest 1/8 yard and you have 4.124 or 4-1/8" yard needed.

A word of caution, if you are using knit on the back of your quilt because it is wider, you'd still need the same amount of fabric, 4-1/8", if you were using a standard 40"-42" quilting cotton.

Knit is going to be hard to work with on the back simply because of the stretch.

I'd suggest using significantly more pins as you baste your sandwich. Most definitely make a practice sandwich to see how it moves across the bed of your machine and to test whether or not you have any problems with puckering or pleating as you quilt.

I hope this helps. Good luck to you!

~ Julie Baird
Backing Yardage
by: Linda

Your a a life saver, thank u so much having the instructions online. Im a later starter in quilting, I get a lot of my information on line.
wide material
by: Anonymous

How do you figure yardage when using wide material?

Julie replies...In Step 2 above, replace 40" with the usable width of YOUR fabric and then continue with the calculations.

Remember that usable width of fabric is the width that remains after the selvedges are removed.

~ Julie Baird, Editor

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