Beginner Quilt Planner — Size, Layout & Shopping List
Pick a preset quilt size or enter a custom size, choose your finished block size, and set your fabric width and overage. The planner works out the block layout, the finished size, and a complete shopping list for top fabric, backing, batting, and binding.
What this calculator determines
It plans a first quilt from a preset or custom size and a block size, returning the block layout, finished dimensions, and a shopping list for top, backing, batting, and binding.
Related calculators
Quilt Size Calculator
Finished quilt dimensions from block size, layout, sashing, and borders
Fabric Yardage Calculator
Yardage needed to cut a quantity of same-size pieces from fabric of any width
Quilt Backing Calculator
Backing yardage for any quilt size — single or pieced, with overage and shrinkage
Quilt Batting Calculator
Minimum batting size needed and the smallest common pre-cut batting that fits
Quilt Binding Calculator
Binding strip count and yardage from quilt perimeter, cut width, and WOF
Examples
Throw, 12″ blocks
Throw preset (60×72), 12″ blocks, 42″ fabric, 4″ overage, 2.5″ binding
Calculation
- Layout: round(60÷12)=5 across, round(72÷12)=6 down → 30 blocks
- Finished: 60″ × 72″
- Top: 4,320 sq in ÷ (42×36) × 1.10 ≈ 3.25 yd
- Backing: 68×80, 2 stacked panels → 3.875 yd
- Batting: 68×80 → Twin 72×90
- Binding: 274″ → 7 strips → 0.5 yd
30 blocks, 60×72 — top 3.25 yd, backing 3.875 yd, batting Twin, binding 0.5 yd
Assumptions & Conventions
- Block count rounding
- Blocks across and down are rounded to the nearest whole number, so the finished size may differ slightly from the preset target.
- Top fabric estimate
- The top fabric estimate assumes a simple, mostly-solid top (area ÷ fabric width × overage); use the Fabric Yardage Calculator for a scrappy or pieced top.
- Purchase rounding
- All yardage is rounded up to the next 1/8 yard.