Calculating yardage for a backing - help!

[Kathytown]

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!

[Sheep Farmer]

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.

[ilive2craft2]

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.

[Carrie J]

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 !

[Kathytown]

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.