Quilt CalculatorWhat size batting do I need?
Cut batting the same size as your backing. Add 4 inches to every side of the quilt top, so the batting is 8 inches wider and 8 inches longer. Then pick the smallest pack that covers that size in either direction, or buy enough length off a roll.
Batting width = quilt width + 2 x extra
Batting length = quilt length + 2 x extra
Roll yards = length to cover / 36, rounded up to 1/8
When the roll is wider than the short side, one piece is enough. You buy a length equal to the side the roll does not cover. When the roll is too narrow, the tool counts how many lengths you need to butt together.
Batting pack chart
These package sizes come from the Quilters Dream user guide. Sizes are width by length in inches.
| Pack | Size (in) |
|---|---|
| Craft | 46 x 36 |
| Crib | 46 x 60 |
| Throw | 60 x 60 |
| Twin | 93 x 72 |
| Double | 96 x 93 |
| Queen | 108 x 93 |
| Super Queen | 93 x 121 |
| King | 122 x 120 |
Which pack fits my quilt?
| Quilt (in) | Batting needed | Smallest pack |
|---|---|---|
| 36 x 52 | 44 x 60 | Crib (46 x 60) |
| 50 x 65 | 58 x 73 | Twin (93 x 72) |
| 60 x 80 | 68 x 88 | Twin (93 x 72) |
| 70 x 90 | 78 x 98 | Queen (108 x 93) |
| 84 x 102 | 92 x 110 | Super Queen (93 x 121) |
| 90 x 108 | 98 x 116 | King (122 x 120) |
| 108 x 108 | 116 x 116 | King (122 x 120) |
Batting shrinkage and quilting distance
Cotton batting shrinks when you wash the finished quilt. Warm and Natural shrinks about 3% in cold water. Quilters Dream cotton shrinks 1% cold and 3% warm. Polyester barely shrinks. The quilting distance on the label tells you how far apart your stitch lines can be.
- Warm and Natural: quilt or tie up to 10 inches apart. No prewash needed.
- Hobbs Heirloom cotton: quilt 1/4 inch to 4 inches apart. Heirloom wool can also go up to 4 inches.
- Quilters Dream cotton: up to 8 inches. Dream Poly: up to 12 inches.
Pick a batting that allows the widest gap in your quilting plan. If your lines are far apart, a batting rated for close quilting can shift and bunch after washing.
Other quilt calculators
FAQ
How much bigger should batting be than the quilt top?
Make the batting about the same size as the backing, which is often 4 inches bigger on every side. A longarm prep sheet from Midge's Stitches says batting you bring should match the backing size.
How big is queen size batting compared to a queen quilt?
A 90 by 108 inch queen top with 4 inches extra per side needs 98 by 116 inches of batting. That is too long for a Quilters Dream queen pack of 108 by 93 inches, so the king pack of 122 by 120 inches is the one that fits.
What are standard batting sizes?
Sizes vary by brand. Quilters Dream lists crib 46 by 60, throw 60 by 60, twin 93 by 72, double 96 by 93, queen 108 by 93, super queen 93 by 121 and king 122 by 120 inches.
Does batting shrink?
Cotton batting does. The Warm Company says Warm and Natural shrinks about 3% in the first cold wash. Quilters Dream lists 1% for cotton in a cold wash with air drying and 3% in a warm wash and dry. Its polyester shrinks little or not at all.
How far apart can I quilt?
Check the package. The Warm Company says up to 10 inches for Warm and Natural. Hobbs says Heirloom cotton can be quilted 1/4 inch to 4 inches apart. Quilters Dream lists up to 8 inches for cotton and 12 inches for poly.
Can I join two pieces of batting?
Yes. Butt the edges together with no overlap and join them with a wide zigzag stitch or fusible batting tape. This is a good way to use up scraps on smaller quilts.