A Comprehensive Guide to Determining How Much Backing Fabric You Need
Whether you’re taking on your first quilting project or you regularly sew quilts as a hobby, determining how much backing fabric is required can sometimes be tricky. In this article, I’ll explain the different factors to consider and provide examples to help you accurately estimate backing fabric needs for your quilts.
Understand the Purpose of Backing Fabric
For those new to quilting, the backing fabric is the fabric layer that gets sewn to the wrong side of your quilt top and batting to complete the quilt sandwich. Its main purpose is to provide extra structure, support, and durability to your finished quilt. A quality cotton or flannel backing fabric will prevent the batting from shifting over time and protect the quilt top from wear and tear.
When determining backing needs, it’s important to purchase enough fabric not just for the back but also for a few inches of overhang on all sides to allow for quilting and finishing the raw edges. This overhang is later trimmed away. Purchasing too little backing can result in gaps or an unfinished look.
Calculate Backing Fabric Requirements
There are two main factors to consider when calculating backing fabric needs – the finished size of your quilt top and any design elements like corner triangles that may require extra fabric. Here are the basic steps:
- Measure the width and length of your quilt top
- Add 12 inches to both the width and length for overhang
- Multiply the width by the length to get the total square footage needed
For example, if your quilt top measures 60″ x 80″, you would calculate: Width (60″) + 12″ overhang = 72″; Length (80″) + 12″ overhang = 92″. Then 72″ x 92″ = 6,624 square inches of backing fabric needed.
Account for Special Design Elements
Some quilts like log cabin blocks or those with corner triangles may require extra yardage of backing fabric to accommodate extended points. For these designs, add an additional 12″ to the length and width of each extended corner to your calculations. This ensures you have enough fabric to fully enclose sharp points.
Consider Fabric Width and Amount to Purchase
Backing fabric generally comes in widths of 42″, 45″, 108″, or even wider for specialty fabrics. Check the width of your chosen backing and do the math to determine how many linear yards are needed based on the total square footage. It’s always wise to purchase a bit extra in case of errors. You can’t ever have too much backing fabric!
From my experience, purchasing 1-2 yards over my estimated needs ensures I have plenty for mistakes without waste. Leftover backing fabric can also be used for future projects.
Example Projects
Here are some examples of how to calculate backing fabric needs in practice:
- A quilt measures 60″ x 80″
- Width: 60″ + 12″ = 72″
- Length: 80″ + 12″ = 92″
- Area = 72″ x 92″ = 6,624 sq in
- With 108″ wide backing, buy 2 yards to have extra
- A log cabin quilt has corner triangles
- Base: 60″ x 80″
- Each corner: Add 12″ to the length and width
(80″ + 12″ = 92″, 60″ + 12″ = 72″) - Adjust total to 92″ x 92″ = 8,464 sq in
- Buy 3 yards of 108″ backing to allow for design
I hope these examples and explanations help provide a better understanding of how to accurately calculate backing fabric needs for your quilt projects. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Tips for Working with Backing Fabric
Now that you know how to determine amounts, here are some additional tips for working with backing fabric:
- Preshrink your backing fabric before quilting by washing and drying according to care instructions
- Use a walking foot or even feed foot when sewing the quilt sandwich to prevent puckering
- Stitch in the direction of the backing fabric’s design if it has a specific nap or direction
- Attach a label to the back listing project name, date, and quilter
- Considerusing a minky or faux fur for the back of cuddly quilts
Whether you choose a classic cotton quilting fabric or try a novelty flannel, choosing the right backing is key for a professional, long-lasting quilt. Feel free to reach out if you need any backing fabric amount examples for your specific project. Happy quilting!
Estimating How Much Backing Fabric You Need
| Item | Recommended Backing Fabric |
|---|---|
| Quilt Backing | 1 1/4 yards per 1 square yard of quilt top |
| Pillow Backing | 1/4 yard per standard throw pillow |
| Bag/Pouch Lining | 1/2 yard or a fat quarter per bag or pouch |
| Mini Quilt/Wall Hanging Backing | 1/2 yard for projects under 24″ x 24″ |
| Mid-Size Quilt Backing | 2 1/2 yards for projects between 36″ x 48″ and 48″ x 60″ |
FAQ
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How much fabric do I need to back a quilt?
It depends on the size of your quilt top, but basically you’ll want about 1/4 yard of backing fabric for every square foot of quilt top. So for a quilt that’s 60″ x 80″, you’d need about 5 yards of backing fabric. Keep in mind you may need a little extra in case of mistakes or fabric shifting during sewing.
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Do I need to prewash backing fabric?
It’s a good idea to wash your backing fabric before using it to back a quilt. That way you won’t have to worry about it shrinking later on. Go ahead and machine wash it in warm water on a normal cycle, then tumble dry it. This will help get rid of any excess dye or chemicals that could stain your quilt as you work with it.
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Should I piece the backing fabric?
For large quilts, piecing the backing fabric can help reduce waste. You’ll want to piece it so the seams run perpendicular to the seams in the quilt top. Try to match up prints and minimize seams if using a patterned fabric. Using gentle tension when sewing the seams will help them lay flat. Another option is to piece together multiple skirt widths of a single fabric to create a larger backing piece.
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Do I need to add a batting to the backing?
You don’t technically need to add batting between the quilt layers, but it adds important insulation. Fiberfill batting helps trap warmth. Without batting, your quilt wouldn’t have much loft or puffiness. When picking a batting, consider the finished look you want and the temperature level of insulation required. Cotton and wool battings provide decent warmth.
Is one piece of backing fabric enough?
While a single piece of fabric is usually sufficient for backing most quilts, on large quilts piecing the backing is often the best choice. Nevertheless, piecing does take extra time. As long as your backing piece is bigger than the quilt top, leaving several inches to fold over and attach to the front, one piece can work. Just be sure to check for size and avoid awkwardly shaped remnants.
How can I get the backing fabric smooth?
Wrinkles and bumps in the backing fabric after attaching it can spoil an otherwise perfect quilt. Interestingly, many quilters swear by the steam from an iron or steamer to get backing fabric smooth and wrinkle-free before attaching. Others take the time to bump up the quilting stitches inside the seam allowance to securely anchor all quilt layers together. Don’t forget to fold over raw edges neatly before binding!