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Help with quilt math--how much fabric to buy
rubbecca Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 2/25/08 Posts: 54	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/13 12:44 PM I recently made a quilt top using the instructions in this Missouri Star Quilt Co. tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5Ixvjje310 Using a pack of 24 jelly roll strips, my quilt top came to be 29" x 48.5". I'm new to quilting and this is just my second quilt and the first one I attempted on my own. I want to add a 1.5" inner border around the quilt top and a 4 " border outer border. I need help figuring out how much yardage to buy for the inner border and the outer border. It seems since my longest side of the quilt is 48.5", I cannot use just the selvage width of the fabric which is just 42" or 44" wide and have the fabric store just cut 1/4 yd each of the border fabrics. So does this mean I'll need to buy 1.5" yds of inner border fabric and 2 yds of outer border fabric? ------ Janome Sewist 509 Janome DC 5100 Janome MyLock 644D Janome CoverPro 1000CP
jannw   Intermediate WA USA Member since 9/3/06 Posts: 7392	Login to reply to this post In reply to rubbecca << Like this post Date: 1/18/13 1:21 PM I'm brand new to quilting also, but I found this calculator and it did work for me...almost exactly! I think I had 1/2" left over on one of the colors, so you might want to add a couple more inches to the results Quilt Calculator Border Calculator -- Edited on 1/18/13 1:23 PM -- ------ 2009-113.25 yds 2010-115.5 2011-80.25+30+donated 2012 86.3 yds.. 2013 21.0 Everyone who sews seriously has a stockpile of fabrics, because it is natural to purchase more than can be sewn in any one season" Singer, Timesaving Sewing, 1987
SouthernStitch   Advanced LA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 8175	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 1/18/13 1:49 PM Thanks for that link! Those are very handy calculators. Many people cut their borders on the crosswise grain, and join them with a diagonal seam, like you would join strips of binding. I am starting on borders for a quilt I'm making, and plan to press the joining seams open, and join the pieces on the diagonal, so it's less noticeable. If it's going to be a wall hanging though, I've heard that you should cut the borders on the lengthwise grain regardless, as it will hang better over time, with that lengthwise grain stability. Otherwise, if you know the border fabric will come in very handy for another quilt, then by all means buy more and then you won't have to piece the borders. ------ Bernina 730E, 530, and 350PE Singer 221 FW, 403a When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
goodworks1   Advanced IL USA Member since 7/19/03 Posts: 3299	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/13 2:28 PM It will be most efficient to cut your borders across the width of the fabric; those strips will stretch more than if you cut them the other direction, along the length. That calculator (above) looks good for calculating crosscuts. For cutting the length of the fabric instead just be sure to add seam allowances and extra if you are mitering the corners. (e.g., for the first border strip, the longest side measurement plus seam allowances plus miter allowances. Each additional border will be longer of course. That's why that calculator will be so useful.) And of course you'll want a little extra of each in case there's shrinkage or miss-cuts at the store. -- Edited on 1/18/13 2:32 PM -- ------ blog: goodworks1.wordpress.com
AminaHijabi Advanced Beginner Member since 10/22/10 Posts: 813	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/19/13 3:10 AM There's a free quilting calculator app for smartphones. I have one on my android. Very useful
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4980	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/19/13 10:34 AM Cut on the cross grain and do not include the selvages as they tend to pucker. Miter any piecing needed for the borders and the seams will "disapear".

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