Enrichment · Arts & Creativity · Sewing

Blocks, sashing, borders:
the finished size
before you cut.

Type the block size and grid, then add sashing and borders. The calculator gives the finished top, a cutting list with seam allowances, and the binding, backing and batting to buy.

Plan the quiltWhat you get

The quilt layout calculator

The worked example is made up: a sampler of thirty 12-inch blocks with 2-inch sashing and two borders. Nothing you type leaves this browser.

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What you get

Enrichment · Arts & CreativityFree

What you finish with
The finished quilt top, a cutting list with cut sizes, binding length and strips, backing yardage and seams, batting size and the mattress it covers. It prints as a cutting list and downloads as a spreadsheet.
Who it is for
Quilters and sewists, students in sewing and design classes, and families making a quilt together.
Format
Browser calculator for a phone, tablet or computer, by touch or keyboard. Prints a cutting list; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); export and import a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Arts & Creativity space in Caveat Enrichment.
Support
Questions, a correction or a request: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Type the finished block size and the grid.
  2. Add sashing, and choose whether it frames the blocks.
  3. Add the borders.
  4. Choose the backing fabric width and binding strip width.
  5. Print the cutting list for the cutting table.

Plan the quilt

How the layout is worked out

Count across, count down, then add the edges.

The worked example: a 5 × 6 sampler5 blocks × 12 in60 inacross+ 6 sashes × 2 in72 incentre, framed+ borders 2 × (2 + 5)86 infinished widthDown the same way100 in6 blocks, 7 sashesThe worked example: a 5 × 6 sampler5 blocks × 12 in60 inacross+ 6 sashes × 2 in72 incentre, framed+ borders 2 × (2 + 5)86 infinished widthDown the same way100 in6 blocks, 7 sashes
Count the pieces across a row: blocks, the sashes between and around them, then a border on each side. Height works the same way down a column.

Finished and cut sizes

Every size you type is finished: what shows after sewing. Each piece is cut ½ inch larger, a ¼-inch seam on each side, so a 2-inch sashing strip for 12-inch blocks is cut 2½ × 12½ inches. Borders are listed by cut width; measure the quilt through its middle before cutting their length, since tops stretch.

Binding, backing and batting

Binding goes round the perimeter with about 12 inches extra for corners and joining, cut in strips across the width of the fabric (about 40 usable inches). Backing and batting are 4 inches larger than the top on every side. For backing, the page tries seams running both ways and keeps whichever needs less fabric, rounded up to the next eighth of a yard.

Sources

  1. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. Quilting basics: seam allowances and cutting (extension.ca.uky.edu).
  2. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Quilt binding and backing guides (extension.iastate.edu).
  3. International Sleep Products Association. Standard mattress dimensions (sleepproducts.org).
  4. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Handbook 44, appendix C: the inch and the yard (nist.gov).

The worked example is made up. Pre-wash or not, add a little to fabric amounts for shrinkage and squaring up. Your plan stays in this browser. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.