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The Quilter’s Cheat Sheet
Quilt sizes, backing math, binding math and batting sizes — the numbers we use in the studio, checked against the industry references quilters trust. No email, no strings.
Standard quilt sizes
Common finished quilt-top sizes. Your quilt is allowed to be any size you like — these are the reference points.
| Quilt | Typical top size |
|---|---|
| Crib / Baby | 36" × 36" |
| Lap / Throw | 48" × 62" |
| Twin | 63" × 87" |
| Full | 78" × 87" |
| Queen | 84" × 92" |
| King | 102" × 102" |
Backing size — the rule that matters most
For longarm quilting, your backing must be bigger than your top so it can be loaded and squared on the frame.
Our studio rule: backing 4" bigger on every side (that's 8" added to width and 8" to length). Example: top 72" × 80" → backing 80" × 88". Max top size we can load: 110". Industry guidance runs 8–12" total per dimension, so our +4 per side sits right in the standard.
Backing yardage from standard 42" quilting cotton (seams included, rounded up to the next 1/8 yard):
| Quilt top | 42" fabric needed |
|---|---|
| Crib 36" × 36" | 2 3/8 yds |
| Lap 48" × 62" | 3 1/4 yds |
| Twin 63" × 87" | 5 3/8 yds |
| Full 78" × 87" | 7 1/3 yds |
| Queen 84" × 92" | 7 7/8 yds |
| King 102" × 102" | 9 3/8 yds |
Shortcut: 108" wideback fabric needs no piecing for tops up to ~100" wide — just buy the backing length: (top length + 8") ÷ 36, rounded up. A 60" × 80" throw needs only 2 1/2 yds of wideback.
Tip: when piecing a backing, run the seam parallel to the long side where possible and press it open. Mark directional backings with a pinned note.
Binding math
How much binding you need, and how many strips to cut:
Binding length = (length + width) × 2 + 10" — the extra 10" covers joining the beginning to the end. Example: 55" × 75" quilt → (55 + 75) × 2 + 10 = 270" of binding.
Cutting strips: count on about 40" of usable width per strip after trimming selvedges, and each 45° join eats roughly one strip-width. Two 2.5" strips give you ~77" of binding, not 80".
| Quilt top | Binding needed | 2.5" strips (42" fabric) |
|---|---|---|
| Crib 36" × 36" | 154" | 5 strips (3/8 yd) |
| Throw 60" × 80" | 290" | 8 strips (5/8 yd) |
| Queen 84" × 92" | 362" | 10 strips (3/4 yd) |
| King 102" × 102" | 418" | 12 strips (7/8 yd) |
Strip counts assume ~40" usable per strip minus join loss; yardage = strips × 2.5", rounded up to the next 1/8 yd. Some quilters prefer 12–20" of overlap allowance instead of 10" — when in doubt, cut one extra strip.
Batting sizes
Batting, like backing, must be larger than your quilt top. Packaged batting comes in standard sizes — these are for Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20, one of the most widely used longarm battings (other brands and lines differ):
| Package | Size |
|---|---|
| Crib | 45" × 60" |
| Twin | 72" × 90" |
| Full | 81" × 96" |
| Queen | 90" × 108" |
| King | 120" × 120" |
Booking with us? Skip this chart. Batting is already included in our $0.035/sq in all-inclusive longarm price — you only send your top and backing.
Want the math done for you?
Our free backing & binding calculator does all of this from your quilt-top measurements.
Open the calculator →