How to make a quilt backing
The backing is the bottom layer of the quilt. It needs to be bigger than the top, 4" on every side, so a 60" × 72" throw needs a 68" × 80" backing. Quilting cotton is about 42" wide, so most backings are two or three lengths sewn together.
Wide backing fabric, 108" across, covers anything up to a queen without a seam.
By Editorial Staff
Piecing the backing
Cut the selvages off, because they shrink differently and pucker. For a throw, cut two lengths 68" long and sew them together along the long side with a ½" seam. Press the seam open, then trim the backing to 68" × 80".
A queen needs 3 lengths 98" long. Sewing them so the seams run the way that uses less fabric saves about a yard.
Backing for every bed size
| Size | Quilt | Backing | Panels | 42" fabric | 108" wide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crib | 45" × 60" | 53" × 68" | 2, seams across | 3 yd | 1½ yd |
| Throw | 60" × 72" | 68" × 80" | 2, seams across | 4 yd | 2 yd |
| Twin | 70" × 90" | 78" × 98" | 2, seams down | 5½ yd | 2¼ yd |
| Full | 84" × 96" | 92" × 104" | 3, seams across | 7¾ yd | 2¾ yd |
| Queen | 90" × 108" | 98" × 116" | 3, seams across | 8¼ yd | 3¼ yd |
| King | 108" × 108" | 116" × 116" | 3, seams across | 9¾ yd | 6½ yd |
The backing calculator works it out for any size. If a longarm quilter is finishing the quilt, ask how much extra they want; some ask for 6" on every side.
Plan your next quilt in your own fabric
Quiltspiration draws any pattern in the fabric you own and works out the cut list for any size.