Quilt Calculator
Calculate fabric needed for your quilt by size, block size, and number of colors. Includes backing and binding.
Quick Answer
A twin quilt with 12" blocks in 3 colors needs about 12-15 yards of 42" fabric total (blocks + sashing + backing + binding). Queen and king quilts need 18-25+ yards.
Total Blocks
35
5 x 7
Per Color (3)
1.5 yd
Total Fabric
11.5 yd
Fabric Breakdown
- Block Fabric (3 colors x 1.5 yd)
- 4.50 yd
- Sashing Fabric
- 1.5 yd
- Backing Fabric
- 5.25 yd
- Binding Fabric
- 0.625 yd
- Grand Total
- 11.5 yd
About This Tool
The Quilt Calculator helps you figure out exactly how much fabric to buy before starting your quilt project. It accounts for block fabric, sashing, backing, and binding, then breaks it down by color so you can shop with confidence.
Choosing Block Size
Larger blocks (10-12") mean fewer blocks to sew and faster assembly. Smaller blocks (4-6") create more intricate designs but require more piecing. The block size also affects your cutting layout and fabric efficiency.
Backing Considerations
Standard quilting cotton is 42-44" wide, so any quilt wider than that needs a pieced backing. You can use wider backing fabric (108") to avoid seams, but the selection is more limited. Our calculator assumes standard 42" fabric with panels.