Fabric Width Reference
Standard widths, precut sizes, and yardage calculator
42"
(106.7 cm)Standard quilting cotton (after trimming selvages)
Common Uses:
- •Most quilting cotton
- •Blocks and piecing
- •Binding strips
- •Small borders
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44"
(111.8 cm)Standard quilting cotton (full width)
Common Uses:
- •Quilting cotton
- •Home dec fabric
- •Apparel fabric
- •General piecing
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54"
(137.2 cm)Home decorator weight fabric
Common Uses:
- •Home decor fabric
- •Upholstery
- •Wide borders
- •Large backing panels
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60"
(152.4 cm)Wide cotton and blends
Common Uses:
- •Wide quilting cotton
- •Flannel
- •Minky
- •Large backings
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90"
(228.6 cm)Wide backing fabric
Common Uses:
- •Quilt backing (no seams)
- •Twin/Full size quilts
- •Tablecloths
- •Large projects
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108"
(274.3 cm)Extra wide backing fabric
Common Uses:
- •Queen/King quilt backing
- •Seamless backings
- •Large quilts
- •Minimal piecing
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120"
(304.8 cm)Super wide backing fabric
Common Uses:
- •King size backing (no seams)
- •Oversized quilts
- •Commercial projects
- •Minimal waste
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Understanding Fabric Widths
Width of Fabric (WOF): The measurement from selvage to selvage. Standard quilting cotton is typically 42-44" wide.
Selvage: The tightly woven edge that prevents fraying. Always trim selvages before piecing (they shrink differently).
Usable Width: After trimming selvages, you typically have 40-42" of usable fabric from standard quilting cotton.
Wide Backing: Fabrics 90" and wider are designed for quilt backings to eliminate or minimize seaming.
Understanding Fabric Widths and Measurements
Standard Quilting Fabric Widths Explained
Quilting fabric comes in various widths, each suited for different purposes. Understanding these widths helps you plan fabric purchases, minimize waste, and determine when piecing is necessary.
42-44 Inch Width (Standard Quilting Cotton)
This is the most common width for quilting cotton. When fabric comes off the bolt, it's typically 44-45 inches wide, but after trimming selvages (the tightly woven finished edges), you have approximately 42-43 inches of usable fabric.
Best for: Piecing blocks, sashing, binding, small borders, and general quilting projects.
54-60 Inch Width (Home Decorator Fabrics)
Home decorator fabrics, upholstery fabrics, and some specialty quilting cottons come in these wider widths. These fabrics are often heavier weight than standard quilting cotton.
Best for: Wide borders, large backing panels, reducing seaming, and projects where you need larger continuous pieces.
90-120 Inch Width (Wide Backing Fabrics)
These extra-wide fabrics are specifically designed for quilt backings. They allow you to create backing for most quilt sizes without any seaming, or with minimal seaming for very large quilts.
Best for: Queen and King size quilt backings, eliminating vertical seams, saving time on backing construction, and creating a cleaner back appearance.
Selvage and Width of Fabric (WOF) Terms
- Selvage
- The selvage (or selvedge) is the tightly woven edge of fabric that runs parallel to the lengthwise grain. It prevents the fabric from unraveling and often contains manufacturer information, color dots, and registration marks. Always trim and discard selvages before piecing - they shrink differently than the rest of the fabric and can cause puckering.
- Width of Fabric (WOF)
- "WOF" in quilt patterns refers to cutting from selvage to selvage, using the full width of the fabric. For example, "cut 5 strips 2.5" × WOF" means cut five strips that are 2.5 inches tall and run the full width from selvage to selvage (typically 42-44 inches).
- Lengthwise Grain vs. Crosswise Grain
- Lengthwise grain runs parallel to the selvage and has very little stretch. Crosswise grain runs perpendicular to the selvage (selvage to selvage) and has slight stretch. Most quilting cuts are made along the crosswise grain. Understanding grain direction helps prevent distortion when piecing.
Precut Fabric Bundles: A Complete Guide
Precut fabric bundles are pre-cut collections of coordinated fabrics, perfect for scrappy quilts and samplers. They save cutting time and provide instant color coordination.
Charm Packs (5" × 5" squares)
Perfect for small blocks, nine-patch quilts, postage stamp designs, and I-Spy quilts. Most charm packs contain 42 squares (one from each fabric in a collection). Finished block size after seaming: approximately 4.5" × 4.5".
Jelly Rolls (2.5" × WOF strips)
Ideal for strip piecing, rail fence patterns, bargello quilts, and binding. Jelly roll quilts are popular because the strips are ready to sew immediately. Typical bundle: 40-42 strips. Great for beginners because there's minimal cutting involved.
Layer Cakes (10" × 10" squares)
The most versatile precut size. Perfect for large blocks, quick quilts, half-square triangles, and sampler quilts. After seaming: approximately 9.5" × 9.5" blocks. Many modern quilt patterns are designed specifically for layer cakes.
Fat Quarters (18" × 21-22")
A "fat quarter" is a quarter-yard of fabric cut differently than a standard quarter-yard. Instead of 9" × 44" (standard quarter-yard cut), it's cut to 18" × 22", providing a better shape for cutting multiple pieces. Fat quarter bundles typically coordinate within a collection.
Important Note: When working with precuts, check whether seam allowances are included in the pattern's finished size requirements. Most precut-friendly patterns account for the 1/4" seam allowance on all sides.
Imperial and Metric Conversions for Fabric
Many quilters worldwide work with metric measurements, and understanding conversions helps when purchasing fabric internationally or adapting patterns.
| Measurement | Imperial | Metric (exact) | Practical Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard quilting cotton width | 42" | 106.68 cm | 107 cm |
| Full width quilting cotton | 44" | 111.76 cm | 112 cm |
| Wide backing | 108" | 274.32 cm | 275 cm |
| 1 yard | 36" | 91.44 cm | 90 cm |
| 1/2 yard | 18" | 45.72 cm | 45 cm |
| 1/4 yard | 9" | 22.86 cm | 23 cm |
| Fat quarter | 18" × 22" | 45.72 × 55.88 cm | 46 × 56 cm |
Note: When purchasing fabric in metric countries, 1 meter (100 cm) is slightly more than 1 yard (91.44 cm). When converting American patterns to metric, use exact conversions for precision cutting.
Quick Reference: 1 inch = 2.54 cm (exactly), 1 yard = 0.9144 meters (exactly)
Use our Metric Converter for detailed conversions with fractions and batch conversion features.
Calculating Yardage for Your Project
Understanding how to calculate fabric yardage helps you purchase the right amount and avoid mid-project shortages or excessive waste.
Basic Yardage Formula
Yardage = (Total length needed ÷ 36) × (Fabric width needed ÷ Fabric width available)
Round up to the nearest 1/4 or 1/8 yard depending on your shop's cutting increments
When Multiple Panels Are Needed
If your project width exceeds your fabric width, you'll need to piece multiple panels together:
- Calculate how many panels: Number of panels = Project width ÷ (Fabric width - 1")
- Round up to the nearest whole number
- Multiply project length by number of panels
- Convert to yards: Total inches ÷ 36 = Yards needed
Pro Tips for Yardage Planning:
- • Always buy 10-20% extra for shrinkage, mistakes, and pattern matching
- • Account for directional prints - you may need to purchase lengthwise instead of crosswise
- • Consider using wide backing (90-120") to eliminate seams for large quilts
- • For borders, calculate each border separately if using different fabrics
- • Keep track of remnants for future scrappy projects
Wide Backing: When and Why to Use It
Wide backing fabrics (90", 108", 120" wide) have become increasingly popular for quilt backs. Here's what you need to know:
✓ Advantages of Wide Backing
- • No vertical seams for most quilt sizes
- • Saves time - no piecing required
- • Cleaner, more professional appearance
- • Easier to load on longarm machines
- • Ideal for directional prints or large-scale patterns
- • Less potential for puckering at seams
! Considerations
- • Costs more per yard than standard width
- • Limited print and color selection
- • May be harder to find locally (often special order)
- • Can be challenging to handle when cutting/pressing
- • May require larger cutting surface
- • Still need extra for overhang (4-6" all around)
Wide Backing Size Guide
| Quilt Size | 90" Wide | 108" Wide | 120" Wide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin (68" × 88") | ✓ Perfect fit | ✓ Generous | ✓ Ample |
| Full (84" × 88") | Tight fit | ✓ Good fit | ✓ Generous |
| Queen (90" × 90") | Need piecing | ✓ Good fit | ✓ Generous |
| King (108" × 108") | Need piecing | Tight fit | ✓ Good fit |
Note: "Good fit" assumes 4-6" overhang on all sides for quilting ease. "Tight fit" means minimal overhang.
Common Questions About Fabric Widths
Q: Why is quilting cotton narrower than it used to be?
A: Historically, quilting cotton was 44-45" wide off the bolt. Many manufacturers have shifted to slightly narrower widths (42-43") to reduce costs. Always measure your fabric before calculating cuts, and design patterns assuming 40" of usable width to be safe.
Q: Do I need to account for shrinkage when calculating yardage?
A: If you pre-wash your fabric (recommended for bed quilts), plan for 3-5% shrinkage. For a project requiring 3 yards, purchase an extra 1/4 yard to account for shrinkage. Cotton and cotton blends shrink more than synthetic fabrics.
Q: Can I mix different fabric widths in one quilt?
A: Absolutely! Standard 42-44" fabrics work perfectly together. When using wider fabrics (54-60"), be aware they may have different weights or drape. For backing, you can piece standard width with wide backing, but plan seam placement carefully.
Q: How do I know how much fabric to buy for backing?
A: Use our Backing & Batting Calculator for precise calculations. As a general rule: for standard width fabric, you need 2-3 times your quilt width. For wide backing (108"), you typically need your quilt length plus 10-12" for overhang.
Q: Are precuts worth the extra cost?
A: It depends on your project and priorities. Precuts save significant cutting time and provide curated color coordination. For scrappy quilts, samplers, or when you want variety without buying full yards of many fabrics, precuts are excellent value. For large quilts requiring lots of one fabric, yardage is more economical.