Selvedge

108-inch wide quilt backing

Enter your quilt dimensions and measured usable fabric width to check whether wide backing fits in one piece. Saved measurements are preserved.

Measurements

Finished quilt top
Backing fabric

Measure after removing selvages.

Each join uses two seam allowances. Check edge allowances with your quilter.

All measurements are in inches. One yard is 36 inches.

Backing pattern

Edit measurementsAwaiting measurements
Quilt top inside extra backing

Measure your quilt top

Add width and length, then check the allowances.

Enter measurements
Method and assumptions

Backing dimensions = quilt dimensions + twice the edge allowance. Joined span = panels × fabric width − 2 × seam allowance × joins. Yardage = panel count × cut length ÷ 36. Automatic selects the lower-yardage direction.

Usable width excludes selvages. Preparation and print matching need separate allowance. Confirm edge and seam allowances with your quilter.

Browser-only draft. Export the cutting list to keep a copy.

Advertised width and usable width are different inputs

Enter measured usable width after selvages and planned preparation. One-piece backing needs it to cover either complete target dimension.

This page shares saved measurements with regular backing. Review the width field when switching fabrics; the page address does not replace your measurements.

Worked calculation: a 68-inch cut for wide backing

A wide-fabric single-piece backingThe 68 by 88 inch target fits in a 108 by 68 inch cut. Both rectangles use one scale.108″ usable68″ cut88″ target
The 108-inch width covers the 88-inch target; cut 68 inches along the roll. Rounded purchase: 2 yards.

A 60 × 80 top with 4 inches per edge needs 68 × 88 inches. Assuming 108 usable inches:

Two single-piece layouts for a 68 × 88-inch backing
Direction in the toolFabric cutYards to buy, rounded
Horizontal108 inches wide × 68 inches long2 yards
Vertical108 inches wide × 88 inches long2½ yards

The 68-inch cut is about 1.89 yards, rounded to 2. Rounding is not a shrinkage allowance.

Let print direction overrule the shorter cut

Rotating a directional printArrows represent motifs that turn with the fabric.OriginalRotated
Rotating the cut also rotates the print. Check the motif before choosing the shorter layout.

Rotating the layout rotates the print. Check text, stripes and figures. In the worked calculation above, keeping vertical direction increases the rounded purchase to 2½ yards.

Compare total cost, not price per yard

In the worked calculation above, compare five yards of standard-width fabric with two yards of wide fabric at their actual prices. Add preparation and matching needs.

See material choices or the standard backing calculator.

Last reviewed .

Questions about this calculation

Will 108-inch backing fit a queen quilt?

Check the actual quilt and required backing dimensions rather than the bed label. A one-piece layout needs the measured usable fabric width to cover at least one full backing dimension.

What if my wide fabric is only 104 usable inches?

Enter 104. The 68 × 88-inch backing in the worked calculation still fits in one piece, but a larger quilt may require an additional panel. The tool calculates cut length from your entered dimensions.

Is there a seam allowance on a single-piece backing?

No joining seam is consumed when the result uses one panel. The tool retains the seam input for comparisons and for layouts that do require joining.

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