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Thread: Calculating yardage for a backing - help!

  1. #1
    Kathytown's Avatar Kathytown is offline Member
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    Default Calculating yardage for a backing - help!

    Hi everyone,

    I have completed a quilt whose finished dimensions are 50 1/2 x 59. Could one of the math whizzes here help me figure out how much regular yardage (not backing yardage) I would need to buy in order to put together a backing? I know I'll have to piece the backing because I'm ordering yardage that matches one of the fabrics I used in the quilt and it doesn't come in the 108" backing size. My pea brain has come up with 3 yards (I think) but I'm not sure how to piece that correctly to make the backing.

    As you can tell, I'm a newbie!

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Sheep Farmer's Avatar Sheep Farmer is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Calculating yardage for a backing - help!

    Hi, Kathy.
    I'm new, too, but I had already bookmarked this website for calculating backing fabric. It also adds the add'l 3" (or whatever you need) for the edges.
    mommamarsh, LRM and Marty like this.

    Sheep Farmer by day........Quilter-in-Training by night
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  3. #3
    ilive2craft2's Avatar ilive2craft2 is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Calculating yardage for a backing - help!

    I used my Robert Kaufman app and it says 3 3/8 yards or 2 7/8 - not counting for overage - it depends on which way you run the fabric. If you have directional backing fabric, I think it would be the 3 3/8 yards.

    Are you sending to a long arm quilter? They usually require a certain amount of overage - 4 to 6 inches on all sides.
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    Carrie J's Avatar Carrie J is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Calculating yardage for a backing - help!

    Hey Kathy and Welcome to the Forum from Texas! I'd get about 3.5 yds, to give yourself some leeway ( I always add two inches) with yardage that is approx 42" that's what I based it on. You might want to download the Robert Kaufman app to help you with measurements. I don't use pins, but spray baste hence the 2", it keeps the fabrics/batting/backing from moving.

    Quilting Calculators App

    It's free and you can load it on your phone or iPad. Hope this helps !
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  5. #5
    Kathytown's Avatar Kathytown is offline Member
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    Default Re: Calculating yardage for a backing - help!

    Thanks guys! I'm not sending this out to a long-armer. I actually made this QAYG and wasn't thinking about how the seams that are pressed open on the back (so it'll lay flat), would show through a lighter colored backing fabric. I had originally bought some regular 108" backing for it but later saw my mistake. This is why I have to order something darker to cover up the top fabric that shows through the seams.

    Thanks for the heads-up on the Robert Kauffman app - I'll definitely download it to my iPad.
    Carrie J likes this.

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