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Calculate how many yards of fabric you need for a sewing project. Plan pattern layout, width, and repeats to buy the right amount of material.
Calculate seam allowance adjustments for pattern alterations and garment fitting. Add or subtract ease when resizing or modifying sewing patterns.
Calculate continuous bias tape length from a square of fabric. Find strip width, yardage, and join count for quilt binding and garment finishing.
Add overhang to quilt top width and length on all sides. Longarm quilters often want 4–8 inches extra per side.
Backing size = quilt top + (2 × overhang per dimension)108-inch wide backing may cover queen size in one piece. Standard 44-inch fabric requires vertical or horizontal seams.
Pieced panels = ceil(backing width / fabric width) × required lengthWhen joining backing panels, add ½ inch per seam for seam allowance in layout calculations.
Total length includes seam joins + shrinkage buffer (~2–4 in)Updated: July 2026
Backing needs 68×80 inches. Two 44-inch widths seamed vertically yield sufficient coverage with standard yardage.
8-inch overhang per side → 106×124 backing. 108-inch wide fabric in 3.5 yards may cover in one piece without seams.
Directional prints may require extra length to keep motif upright when piecing — add repeat if pattern must align.
Always add overhang — 4 inches minimum per side for home quilting, more for longarm. Short backing cannot be loaded on frames.
Calculate yardage with extra inches to trim skewed edges square after piecing — saves rework if fabric pulls off grain.
Quilt backing must extend beyond the quilt top for loading on longarm frames and for basting on domestic machines. Enter quilt top dimensions, overhang, and fabric width to get backing yardage and piecing layout.