Heather Thomas

Figuring Yardage for Quilt Backs

Heather Thomas
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Duration:   6  mins

Knowing how to figure out the amount of backing fabric that 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 the amount of yardage of fabric you need 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.

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.

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11 Responses to “Figuring Yardage for Quilt Backs”

    • Customer Service

      Hello Janice,

      The download is now located within this post.

      Thanks,
      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  5. Lauren Schafer

    Thank..this was very informative…but I really would love information on wide backing fabric and how to figure out the conversion from regular width fabric to wide backing fabric. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Lauren,

      We do not currently have a video explaining that, however you could use the same information provided in the previous video and just substitute your backing fabric width measurement for the one she uses when determining yardage.

      Cheers,
      Ashley
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      We’d love to have you be a part of our community. We are convinced you will enjoy the benefits of becoming a member and having access to the best instructional how to videos and professional tips. We would like to offer you a special promotion for your first year membership.
      https://go.nationalquilterscircle.com/C11535

      Reply
  6. Grace

    Where do I locate the print out with these instructions so I can do the math on my next quilt?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Grace,

      I do apologize but we do not currently have print out instructions for this video.

      Thanks,
      Becky NQC Video Membership

      Reply
      • Lauren Schafer

        I thought the instructor said there would be instructions or something to print out as a cheat sheet?

        Reply
        • Customer Service

          Hello Lauren,

          The cheat sheet now available within the post.

          Thanks,
          Becky
          National Quilters Circle Video Membership

          Reply

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