How much fabric for a quilt: backing, binding, borders and batting
Backing, binding and batting for every standard quilt size from crib to king, with the formulas, so you can buy the right amount of fabric.
With Quiltsmith
Quilt sizes chart: crib to king, with batting sizes
Short answer
Common finished sizes are crib 36" × 52", throw 50" × 65", twin 68" × 86", full 84" × 90", queen 90" × 95" and king 108" × 95". Charts differ by a few inches, because the right size depends on the mattress and how far you want the quilt to hang over the sides.
Buy batting 4" bigger than the top on every side: a queen top needs at least 98" × 103".
Standard quilt sizes
These are finished sizes, after binding. Centimetres are exact conversions (1" = 2.54 cm).
| Quilt | Finished size | In centimetres | Batting needed (4" extra each side) | Packaged batting that covers it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crib / baby | 36" × 52" | 91.4 × 132.1 cm | 44" × 60" | Crib / baby |
| Throw / lap | 50" × 65" | 127 × 165.1 cm | 58" × 73" | Throw / lap |
| Twin | 68" × 86" | 172.7 × 218.4 cm | 76" × 94" | Full / double |
| Full / double | 84" × 90" | 213.4 × 228.6 cm | 92" × 98" | King |
| Queen | 90" × 95" | 228.6 × 241.3 cm | 98" × 103" | King |
| King | 108" × 95" | 274.3 × 241.3 cm | 116" × 103" | King |
Sizes from the Missouri Star size chart, as used for Quiltsmith's size presets; batting with Quiltsmith's 4" margin, matched to the smallest packaged size that covers it.
Packaged batting sizes
| Packaged batting | Size | In centimetres |
|---|---|---|
| Crib / baby | 45" × 60" | 114.3 × 152.4 cm |
| Throw / lap | 60" × 80" | 152.4 × 203.2 cm |
| Twin | 72" × 90" | 182.9 × 228.6 cm |
| Full / double | 81" × 96" | 205.7 × 243.8 cm |
| Queen | 90" × 108" | 228.6 × 274.3 cm |
| King | 120" × 120" | 304.8 × 304.8 cm |
From the Missouri Star size chart. Brands vary a little; check the package before you buy.
Choosing a size for a bed
- Measure the mattress top, then add twice the drop you want on the sides (how far the quilt hangs down) to the width, and the drop once to the length for the foot.
- A quilt that tucks under the pillows needs extra length.
- Thick mattresses and toppers need a deeper drop than the chart sizes assume.
Questions
What size is a queen quilt?
About 90" × 95" finished on common charts; some patterns use a longer queen for a deeper drop.
What size is a throw quilt?
Around 50" × 65" on common charts; throws vary more than bed sizes.
What size is a baby quilt?
Crib quilts are around 36" × 52"; smaller baby or stroller quilts are common too.
How much bigger should batting be than the quilt top?
About 4" on every side, so 8" more in each dimension, which leaves room to baste and quilt.
What size batting for a queen quilt?
A 90" × 95" queen top needs at least 98" × 103", which is wider than a 90" × 108" queen package, so buy king (120" × 120") or batting by the yard.
Quiltsmith: Quilt Designer
Quilt designer and quilting calculator: cutting plan and yardage.
Quiltsmith starts every quilt from one of these sizes, suggests the number of blocks across and down for your block size, and shows the batting size and the cheapest packaged batting that covers it.
Coming to Google Play
Sources
- Missouri Star Quilt Co., Quilt sizes chart: every standard size from crib to king missouriquiltco.com
- Quilted Joy, How much backing fabric do I need (4" beyond the top on every side) quiltedjoy.com
- APQS, Attacking scrappy backs (a 4" margin on each side for longarm quilting) apqs.com
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