Quilt in a Day Forums

Hi Everyone,
I hope everyone had a safe and happy Christmas.I have a question,as I am not very good a figuring sizes....The backing fabric on website is on sale and at 108",how much would I need for a large double top...I have 6 quilt tops that I need to put batting and backing on.I believe they are double size,so if I put on a 4" border and a 2 1/2" binding,how many yards of backing?The 5 gran girls have each picked the ones they want,that is my Christmas to them,tho they might not actually get them for awhile.Also I dont think I need a heavy batting,as their house is fairly warm,so i was thinking in line of a summer quilt.That being the case,I need suggestions on batting.There is a type of calculator that is used for fabric,has anyone used it and is it worth the money.I think I have seen it in JoAnn's.Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

Hi, Gem... I'll take a stab at it....

Last one first. I would use cotton batting. It will breath, and still be warm for winter. You could also go with a poly, or 80/20 blend. I've used both, but am now leaning toward the natural fibers more than the poly.

I would buy about 2-2 1/2 yards, maybe a little more, per top. It would give you a back about 72 x 108 inches... I can't remember my figures for fabric needed for specific sizes... Extra backing can also be worked into pillow cases or pillow shams to go with the quilt. (Extra fabric never hurts a stash!)

Am I right, everyone???

I like to get 3 yds. 108 inches. That way what is left, I can add it to my stash. One can always use more stash.

gem,
I don't know how many inches wide your quilt is. But the way I do it is, the 108 inches are enough for the length of my quilts, and then I add 6 to 7 inches to the width of my tops, that way I will have about 3 inches extra on each side of the quilt. That usually is enough for me to quilt with, and to allow for a little shrinkage for handquilting. If I get a very high loft batting I even allow 1 or 2 inches extra on each side.
For a summer batting I would use a low loft Polyester batting, or even a thin cotton batting to allow the heat to escape.
I hope this helped you a little in deciding. Perhaps somebody else can give you more info.

Take a look at this:

http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponline/f ... 434&page=2

It's a 3-yard cut of backing fabric for only $9.99!

Thanks everyone,this is great...The little handi helper card I found says that a double is 78X87, 5 1/4yds for lining,so with theses suggestions,I should do fine.Thanks ever soooooo much,all you gals and guys on here are soooooo great.Now all I have to do is get into the store site and get that fabric.WoooooHooooo!