Is 108-Inch Quilt Backing Fabric Worth It? Compare the Cost
Wide backing fabric can reduce the number of seams and the yardage you buy, but it can cost more per yard. Compare the amount needed for each width with the prices at your shop; the lower price per yard does not always mean the lower total cost.
How the comparison works
First, add the entered extra to every side of the quilt top. The backing calculator then checks lengthwise and crosswise layouts for each usable fabric width, accounting for 1 in lost at each seam, and uses the layout that takes less yardage. The cost estimate is:
Backing yardage × your price per yard = estimated fabric cost.
The break-even price shown for 108-in fabric is the 42-in option's estimated cost divided by the 108-in yardage. At or below that price, the wide fabric costs no more for the backing yardage entered. This comparison does not include tax, shipping, pattern matching, or extra fabric beyond the amount entered.
Example: a 60 × 80 in quilt
With 4 in extra on each side, the backing is 68 × 88 in. At 42 in usable width, the lower-yardage layout needs 4.89 yd. At 108 in usable width, the backing fits across the fabric and needs 1.89 yd. If 42-in fabric costs $12/yd and wide backing costs $25/yd, the estimates are $58.67 and $47.22, respectively, so the wide fabric costs less. At $35/yd for the wide backing, its estimate is $66.11, and the 42-in option costs less.
This comparison treats 42 in and 108 in as the usable widths; trimming selvages may reduce the width available from your fabric. For a custom usable width or a full seam-layout breakdown, use the quilt backing calculator. Choose the extra backing required by your quilting method.
Source
- Yardage uses the geometric backing formulas documented on the quilt backing calculator. Prices are entered by the user; no market price is assumed.