Figuring Yardage for Quilt Backs
Вставка
- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- Join the NSC community to access a huge library of instructional quilting videos: www.nationalqu....
Knowing how to figure out how much backing fabric is required for a quilt is a great skill to have. Not only will it ensure that you always buy enough fabric for your project, but learning how to figure it out before having to just measure the pieced quilt top can allow you to purchase all of your fabric at the same time. Heather Thomas shows you how to calculate how much yardage of fabric is needed for different sizes of quilts.
Doing The Math
To first determine how much backing fabric is required you must know what size of quilt you are making- for example a quilt for a twin size mattress or a queen size mattress. Heather shows how to use the standard size of a mattress and add in extra fabric requirements for quilting and what is known as the drop. This final measurement is how large the pieced quilt top will be. Heather then explains that extra yardage is required around the perimeter of the quilt depending on the type of quilting being done.
Become an NQC member today and watch hundreds of quilting videos: www.nationalqu....
In general, you always want the backing fabric at least a few inches larger than the quilt top to account for any movement or shifting that can happen during the quilting process. More excess fabric is required for machine quilting over hand quilting and even more still if you plan to use a longarm quilting machine or send it out to be quilted.
Heather then walks you through the math several times to ensure you see how to do the math for yourself, in case your quilt is a different size than one of the example sizes she shows. She then shows how to turn the large number figured into an easy yardage measurement. Check out more videos for tips to backing on reversible quilts as well as more tips on cutting and measurements.
Looking for more quilting instruction and inspiration? Check out NQC Premium Membership! www.nationalqu...
Thank you so much. I just started working in a quilt shop and math is not my forte. You explain it more easily than other sources I've encountered. Love the videos in general. They have been very helpful over all.
This was extremely helpful. You presented very clearly and concisely. Thank you very much!
Thank you this is so helpful.
thank you for this. couldnt figure out why i needed 9 and a half yards for a king size quilt when i thought 4 or 5 yards would surely be enough. (i saw that a king needs 9 and a half on the back of a cozy quilt design pack on line, but was not planning on buying but making my own pattern. was just trying to see generally how much fabric i would need to buy. and did not understand. so thank you so much. so so so much
thank you very much this was very helpful.
Thank you, thank you!
Great , thank you 😀
You're welcome 😊
thank you
Thank you! Great info!
Great explanation - thank you for sharing your knowledge as it's been very helpful in wrapping my brain around this topic. :-)
Loved this n Heather is great tracking thank you however would love it if you could’ve add a picture of the cheat sheet I took pic but not as clear as video but thank you
Thank you for the suggestion!
I have wanted to quilt for years. Now that I'm retired I am going to start! I have been watching many videos. And think I will try a fence rail quilt first. I am trying to figure out how many yards of material I need for a queen size quilt top, knowing I will have to allow for the seams. This seemed to be the info for the backing. Hope much do I need for the top?
Hi,
Here is a link to a rail fence pattern that will help give you an idea of how much fabric you will need:
www.thesprucecrafts.com/easy-rail-fence-bed-quilt-pattern-2820936
Cheers,
Ashley
love your explanation on this, however I bought the xtra wide fabric 108" and I am making a quilt for a full size bed, can you explain to me if i would have enough to have it in one piece? Math was not a good subject for me lol thank you for your time...
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please direct message me the email associated with your paid membership account. Thanks!
Do you have a link for your cheat sheet to print?
When I use an online calculator it always gives me a significantly higher yardage number than when I do my manual calculations. For example, I have a quilt that is 60"x80" that I will be quilting on my regular machine so I give 6 inches on each side. Making it 66"x86". 66/40=1.65 widths. Then, 86*1.65 widths=141.9 which is 3.94 yards. When I do it on this calculator: www.quiltersparadiseesc.com/Calculators/Backing%20and%20Batting%20Calculator.php it calculates 5 1/8 yards. Do you know why this is? I would prefer not to have to buy a bunch of extra fabric but I, of course, want to have enough.
Hi,
I believe the online calculator is correct- though it does round up a bit. For your quilt you would need two widths to make it across the 66" (I'm rounding up to two because you can't really buy a half of a width.. unless you plan to piece you backing together in more than two pieces). For the length- you will need almost 2 1/2 yards (86/36=2.389). You then multiply this by 2 (for your two widths) and you get 4.78. The online calculators then rounds up a bit to give you some extra.
Hope this makes sense!
Sorry, I am a Hands on type of Gal. when someone just sits and just talks about something like this. I usually don't comprehend it. ''wow'' my head is already spinning.. lol..
My math does not agree with this.... for king size 120 x 3 = 360; divide by 36" = 10 yards. I have same issue with queen size math
An idea from a retired teacher-Take the instruction sheet in this video and rewrite it yourself-or create it on your computer. Then go over it with the speaker once or twice. That will help with your tactile concerns while imprinting this valuable information into (less spinning) and better learning and retention.