All of my quilt patterns include supply lists and details cutting instructions for three quilt sizes – crib, nap and twin.
You can always make a quilt larger or smaller by adding or removing blocks. I make the math super easy for that by having all my quilt blocks finish at 10 inches square.
But there’s no reason for every individual to have to calculate all the math for all the different quilt sizes. I can do that once and then share it for everyone!
I do have a couple of caveats, though. . .
This math (and cutting information) only works if you’re making quilts with all square blocks and no sashing or borders. If your pattern includes half blocks or double blocks, the results will be a tiny bit different. The amount of fabric needed will probably be the same, but the cutting instructions will change a bit. If you’re adding sashing to your quilt, you want this post instead – How to Add Sashing to a QAYG Quilt.
All the fabric calculations assume you’re using fabric that’s 40 inches wide. If you’re using a different width (cuddle fleece, minky, special wide fabric for quilt backs) that will change the amount needed.
So let’s jump in to the most popular quilt sizes I get requests for.
Itty Bitty Baby Size
My patterns include instructions for crib size, but it’s a pretty generous crib size and sometimes people want one that’s a lot smaller – better for tucking around an infant in a car seat. For that the Itty Bitty Baby size works well.
Dimensions 30 inches x 30 inches (3 blocks x 3 blocks)
Total blocks needed 9
Background blocks 1 yard total
Background blocks cutting instructions Cut 3 strips the width of the fabric (selvedge to selvedge) each 11 inches wide. From those strips cut 9 blocks, each 11 inches square. (I designed fabric especially for background blocks. It’s sold by color collection and is a set of 12-inch blocks with the quilting lines printed right on them. You can find all the color palettes here.)
Binding 3/8 yard
Binding cutting instructions Cut four strips 2 1/4 inches wide, the full width of the fabric.
Backing 1 yard, no cutting needed
Appliques 1/2 yard, any combination of scraps and fat quarters
Fusible adhesive 1 pack of 10 printable sheets (or one 17 x 45 inch sheet) is enough for most patterns. I use Heat & Bond Lite weight printable sheets.
Crib Size Quilts
This size is included in all my patterns – but I’m including it here as well for those who want to assemble their own design using individual block patterns.
Dimensions 50 inches x 50 inches (5 blocks x 5 blocks)
Total blocks needed 25
Background blocks 3 yards total (buy in 1/3 yard increments for minimal waste)
Background blocks cutting instructions Cut 9 strips the width of the fabric (selvedge to selvedge) each 11 inches wide. From those strips cut 25 blocks, each 11 inches square. (I designed fabric especially for background blocks. It’s sold by color collection and is a set of 12-inch blocks with the quilting lines printed right on them. You can find all the color palettes here.)
Binding 1/2 yard
Binding cutting instructions Cut 6 strips 2 1/4 inches wide, the full width of the fabric.
Backing 2 1/2 yards
Backing cutting instructions Cut one piece 56 inches long. Cut the remaining piece in half the long way so you have two rectangles, each roughly 20 inches wide x 34 inches long. (The exact width will depend on the actual width of your fabric.)
Backing assembly diagram (not to scale) – join the two smaller pieces along the short edge, then join that piece to the longer piece. The pieced section will be longer than it needs to be – this sketch is just a guide.
Appliques 1 1/2 yards, any combination of scraps and fat quarters
Fusible adhesive 3 packs of 10 printable sheets (or three 17 x 45 inch sheets) is enough for most patterns. I use Heat & Bond Lite weight printable sheets.
Nap Size Quilts
This is the size I use on the couch. It’s included in all my patterns – but I’m including it here as well for those who want to assemble their own design using individual block patterns.
Dimensions 50 inches wide x 60 inches tall (5 blocks x 6 blocks)
Total blocks needed 30
Background blocks 3 1/3 yards total (buy in 1/3 yard increments for minimal waste)
Background blocks cutting instructions Cut 10 strips the width of the fabric (selvedge to selvedge) each 11 inches wide. From those strips cut 30 blocks, each 11 inches square. (I designed fabric especially for background blocks. It’s sold by color collection and is a set of 12-inch blocks with the quilting lines printed right on them. You can find all the color palettes here.)
Binding 1/2 yard
Binding cutting instructions Cut 6 strips 2 1/4 inches wide, the full width of the fabric.
Backing 4 yards
Backing cutting instructions Cut two pieces, each two yards long.
Backing assembly diagram (not to scale) – Join the two pieces together along the long edge. (Cut off the selvedge first.)
Appliques 2 yards, any combination of scraps and fat quarters
Fusible adhesive 3 packs of 10 printable sheets (or three 17 x 45 inch sheets) is enough for most patterns. I use Heat & Bond Lite weight printable sheets.
Twin Size Quilts
This size is included in all my patterns – but I’m including it here as well for those who want to assemble their own design using individual block patterns.
Dimensions 70 inches wide x 90 inches tall (7 blocks x 9 blocks)
Total blocks needed 63
Background blocks 7 yards total (buy in 1/3 yard increments for minimal waste)
Background blocks cutting instructions Cut 21 strips the width of the fabric (selvedge to selvedge) each 11 inches wide. From those strips cut 63 blocks, each 11 inches square. (I designed fabric especially for background blocks. It’s sold by color collection and is a set of 12-inch blocks with the quilting lines printed right on them. You can find all the color palettes here.)
Binding 5/8 yard
Binding cutting instructions Cut 8 strips 2 1/4 inches wide, the full width of the fabric.
Backing 5 1/4 yards
Backing cutting instructions Cut two pieces, each 94 1/2 inches long.
Backing assembly diagram (not to scale) – Join the two pieces together along the long edge. (Cut off the selvedge first.)
Appliques 4 yards, any combination of scraps and fat quarters
Fusible adhesive 7 packs of 10 printable sheets (or seven 17 x 45 inch sheets) is enough for most patterns. I use Heat & Bond Lite weight printable sheets.
Queen Size Quilts
Dimensions 80 inches wide x 100 inches tall (8 blocks x 10 blocks)
Total blocks needed 80
Background blocks 9 yards total (buy in 1/3 yard increments for minimal waste)
Background blocks cutting instructions Cut 27 strips the width of the fabric (selvedge to selvedge) each 11 inches wide. From those strips cut 80 blocks, each 11 inches square. (I designed fabric especially for background blocks. It’s sold by color collection and is a set of 12-inch blocks with the quilting lines printed right on them. You can find all the color palettes here.)
Binding 5/8 yard
Binding cutting instructions Cut 9 strips 2 1/4 inches wide, the full width of the fabric.
Backing 7 1/2 yards
Backing cutting instructions Cut three pieces, each 2 1/2 yards long.
Backing assembly diagram (not to scale) – Join the three pieces together along the long edges. (Cut off the selvedge first.)
Appliques 5 yards, any combination of scraps and fat quarters
Fusible adhesive 8 packs of 10 printable sheets (or eight 17 x 45 inch sheets) is enough for most patterns. I use Heat & Bond Lite weight printable sheets.
King Size Quilts
Dimensions 100 inches wide x 100 inches tall (10 blocks x 10 blocks)
Total blocks needed 100
Background blocks 11 1/3 yards total (buy in 1/3 yard increments for minimal waste)
Background blocks cutting instructions Cut 34 strips the width of the fabric (selvedge to selvedge) each 11 inches wide. From those strips cut 100 blocks, each 11 inches square. (I designed fabric especially for background blocks. It’s sold by color collection and is a set of 12-inch blocks with the quilting lines printed right on them. You can find all the color palettes here.)
Binding 3/4 yard
Binding cutting instructions Cut 11 strips 2 1/4 inches wide, the full width of the fabric.
Backing 9 yards
Backing cutting instructions Cut three pieces, each 3 yards long.
Backing assembly diagram (not to scale) – Join the three pieces together along the long edges. (Cut off the selvedge first.)
Appliques 6 1/4 yards, any combination of scraps and fat quarters
Fusible adhesive 10 packs of 10 printable sheets (or ten 17 x 45 inch sheets) is enough for most patterns. I use Heat & Bond Lite weight printable sheets.
So there you go! All the information you need for six different quilt sizes – how much fabric and how to cut it up.
Find links to all the posts about pattern size and layouts here.
Quilt Sizes and Supplies Needed
Play with Your Layouts – Multiple Possibilities for One Quilt Pattern
Sashing
- How to Add Sashing to a Quilt
- How to Add Sashing to a Quilt Pattern
- How to Add Sashing to a Quilt As You Go Quilt
- How to Pin Long Seams
- How to Make Wonky Faux Sashing with Quilt As You Go Blocks
How to Make Applique Bust Out of Its Frame
Alternate or Broken Grid layouts (adding half and double blocks)
- How to Make a Quilt with an Alternate Grid
- Quilt Block Sizes for Alternate Grid Layouts
- How to Assemble a Quilt that Uses an Alternate Grid
- How to Quilt a Broken Grid
How to Make an Applique Rag Quilt
How to Make a Wonky Churn Dash Frame for Any Block
Finished with this topic?
Return to the Let’s Make a Quilt main Table of Contents.
Move on to the lessons about choosing your fabric.
Happy stitching!
This is awesome. Thank you.
Thank you Wendi!
Thank you Wendi. Math has never been my super power. I tend to buy far more fabric than I need because of this. Consequently, I have huge stashes of fabric all over the house!
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