Start Here
Start with a project you can picture using. A small quilt for your lap or a throw for the couch gives you room to practice cutting and piecing before you commit to a bed-size quilt. Once you know how big it should be, the decisions about fabric and tools get easier.
1. Pick a size you want to finish
A 50 × 65-inch throw is a useful starting point. Try measuring a blanket you already like if you want a better feel for the size. For a bed quilt, measure the bed and decide how far the quilt should hang over the sides and foot. The quilt size guide shows how to turn those measurements into a target size.
2. Plan the top and backing separately
The top is the visible design, the batting is the middle layer, and the backing is the fabric underneath. Binding finishes the edges. Follow your pattern’s fabric requirements for the top and binding. If the pattern calls for fat quarters, check the cutting layout before substituting a quarter-yard strip from the bolt. The two cuts have different shapes.
For the backing, have your quilt top measurements and the fabric’s usable width handy. If someone else is quilting it for you, ask how much extra backing they need on each edge before buying. Use the quilt backing calculator to compare fabric widths and seam directions.
3. Set up for the cuts your pattern asks for
Check your pattern’s cutting list before buying tools. For straight strips and squares, a quilting ruler, rotary cutter, and cutting mat are a useful combination. If your project involves curves, threads, or hand cutting, keep fabric scissors within reach. Use what you already have to cut and sew a small sample before you decide what to buy.
A quick check before you shop
- Write down the quilt’s target width and length in inches.
- Check how much fabric your pattern calls for by color or print, and what size pieces you need to cut.
- Confirm the backing fabric’s usable width and your quilting method’s extra margin.
- Check your batting and binding separately. Each has its own size or yardage requirement.
Still deciding? Choose your quilt size first. If your top is already pieced, go straight to the backing calculator with the actual measurements.