Quilt CalculatorHow do you calculate fabric for a border?
Find the length of each of the four border strips and add them up. Divide by the usable fabric width, often 40 inches, and round up to get the number of strips. Multiply the strips by the cut width, which is the finished width plus 1/2 inch, and divide by 36 for yards.
Butted border lengths
Cut width = finished width + 1/2
Side strips = center length + 1/2
Top and bottom = center width + 2 x border + 1/2
Mitered border lengths
Each strip = that side of the center + 2 x border + 1/2
Mitered strips run past each corner by the border width so you can sew the 45 degree seam. Many quilters add a couple of extra inches for safety. You can do that by typing a slightly larger center size.
Worked example
A 60 by 72 inch center gets a 4 inch butted border. Cut width is 4 1/2 inches. The two sides are 72 1/2 inches. The top and bottom are 68 1/2 inches. Together that is 282 inches. Joined strips lose 1/2 inch at each seam, so you need 8 strips. Eight strips at 4 1/2 inches is 36 inches, or 1 yard. The finished quilt is 68 by 80 inches.
Border yardage chart
For a 60 by 72 inch center, 40 usable inches, strips cut across the fabric.
| Finished border | Cut width | Strips (butted) | Butted | Mitered | Finished quilt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 2.5 in | 7 | 1/2 yd | 5/8 yd | 64 x 76 |
| 3 in | 3.5 in | 8 | 7/8 yd | 7/8 yd | 66 x 78 |
| 4 in | 4.5 in | 8 | 1 yd | 1 yd | 68 x 80 |
| 5 in | 5.5 in | 8 | 1 1/4 yd | 1 1/4 yd | 70 x 82 |
| 6 in | 6.5 in | 8 | 1 1/2 yd | 1 1/2 yd | 72 x 84 |
| 8 in | 8.5 in | 8 | 2 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 76 x 88 |
Cutting borders on the lengthwise grain
Fabric stretches less along its length than across it. Long borders cut down the length need no joins. The tool shows the yards for this too. It fits as many strips side by side as the fabric width allows and buys enough length for the longest strip. This costs more fabric but gives a cleaner look on large quilts.
Tips for flat borders
- Measure the quilt through the center, not along the edges.
- Cut the border to that number, then pin at the ends and the middle.
- Sew with the quilt on top if the border is stretchier, so the feed dogs ease it in.
- Press seams toward the border.
- Use the quilt sizes calculator to pick a border width that brings the quilt to your bed size.
Other quilt calculators
FAQ
How much fabric do I need for a quilt border?
Add up the length of all four border strips, then divide by the usable fabric width to get the strip count. Multiply the strips by the cut width. A 4 inch border on a 60 by 72 inch center needs 8 strips cut 4 1/2 inches wide, which is 1 yard.
How wide should a quilt border be?
There is no rule. Many quilters keep the border narrower than the blocks so it frames the quilt without taking over. You can also pick a width that brings the quilt to the size you need for your bed.
What is the difference between butted and mitered borders?
Butted borders sew the sides on first, then the top and bottom strips across the ends. Mitered borders meet at a 45 degree angle in each corner, like a picture frame. Mitered strips must be longer, so they use more fabric.
Should I cut borders across the fabric or along it?
Cutting across the width is cheaper but needs joins on long sides. Cutting along the length of the fabric gives one piece with no seam and less stretch, but you must buy fabric as long as the longest strip.
Why measure through the center of the quilt?
Edges stretch while you piece. Measure the quilt through the middle in both directions and cut the border to that number. Pin the border to the edge and ease in any extra so the quilt stays flat and square.
How do borders change the quilt size?
Each border adds its finished width twice to both the width and the length. A 4 inch border turns a 60 by 72 inch center into a 68 by 80 inch quilt.