Quilt Numbers

Quilt Border Yardage Calculator

By Tam Vu · Updated

On this page
  1. What the calculator counts
  2. Example: a 60 × 80 in quilt with a 4 in border
  3. Source

A quilt border is the fabric frame sewn around the outside of the quilt top. Enter the finished top size and the finished width you want for the border. The calculator estimates yardage for two cutting layouts and reports the one that uses less fabric.

Quilt border yardage

The calculator assumes a ¼ in seam allowance at each edge of the border strip and a ½ in allowance at each join between fabric-width pieces. These are calculation assumptions; use the seam allowance and border method in your pattern.

What the calculator counts

The strip's cut width is the finished border width plus ½ in for the two ¼ in seam allowances. It estimates four border runs: two side runs the length of the quilt top, then two end runs spanning the top width plus both finished side borders. It adds ½ in to each run for the end seam allowances.

It compares two ways to cut those runs:

  • Across the fabric width: cut strips from selvage to selvage and join pieces end to end to reach each run. Each join uses 1 in total for the two ½ in seam allowances.
  • Parallel to the selvage: cut the four runs lengthwise. The calculator groups strips side by side up to the usable width and counts the longest run in each group as fabric length.

The estimate does not reuse leftover pieces from one run for another, include pattern matching or directional-print constraints, or add extra for mistakes. Measure usable width after trimming selvages. If your fabric has a one-way design, plan the direction before cutting.

Example: a 60 × 80 in quilt with a 4 in border

Each strip is cut 4½ in wide. The two side runs are 80½ in long; the top and bottom runs are 68½ in long.

Usable fabric width Across-width layout Lengthwise layout Lower estimate
42 in 8 strips, 1.00 yd 2.24 yd 1.00 yd
108 in 4 strips, 0.50 yd 2.24 yd 0.50 yd

The wider fabric can fit each run across its width in this example, so it needs fewer joined pieces. Your pattern's seam allowance, border width and actual usable fabric width change the result. The binding calculator is for the narrow edge finish around a completed quilt, a different measurement from these borders.

Source

  • Yardage is calculated from the dimensions and seam allowances entered or stated above; no standard border width is assumed.