Guide ·
Backing, batting and binding by quilt size
How much backing, what batting size and how many binding strips each quilt size takes.
Once the top is done you still need three things: a backing a little bigger than the top, batting the same size as the backing, and enough binding to go around. This table gives all three for the standard sizes, cut from 42-inch quilting cotton.
Backing is pieced from full-width panels. The seams run whichever way uses less fabric, and the table says which.
Finishing a quilt top
| Size | Quilt top (in) | Batting (in) | Backing | Binding strips | Binding fabric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 40 × 40 | 48 × 48 | 2¾ yd · 2 panels, horizontal seams | 5 strips of 2½ in | ½ yd |
| Throw | 60 × 60 | 68 × 68 | 3⅞ yd · 2 panels, horizontal seams | 7 strips of 2½ in | ⅝ yd |
| Twin | 70 × 90 | 78 × 98 | 5½ yd · 2 panels, vertical seams | 9 strips of 2½ in | ¾ yd |
| Full | 85 × 85 | 93 × 93 | 7¾ yd · 3 panels, horizontal seams | 9 strips of 2½ in | ¾ yd |
| Queen | 90 × 90 | 98 × 98 | 8¼ yd · 3 panels, horizontal seams | 10 strips of 2½ in | ⅞ yd |
| King | 100 × 100 | 108 × 108 | 9 yd · 3 panels, horizontal seams | 11 strips of 2½ in | ⅞ yd |
Backing and batting add 4 in on every side. Backing panels are cut from 40 in usable fabric width and seamed the way that uses least fabric. Binding is 2½ in double-fold strips, perimeter plus 12 in for joins and corners, rounded up to the next ⅛ yard.
Patterns this applies to
Numbers on this page are worked out the same way as our patterns and double-checked before publishing.