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Quilt-top yardage from a cut list

Estimate quilt-top yardage from multiple rectangular cut sizes, grouped by fabric.

Measurements

Editable example inputs. Adjust them for your project.

Cut size 1

Your choice, default 0. Each reserve strip has this row’s cut length along the bolt and the full usable WOF across. These are extra strips beyond the required piece count, not a measured waste rate or a recommended allowance. Identical cut rows combine their piece counts and add the reserve counts you enter.

Optional bolt label only. Enter measured usable width separately; no width is filled or deducted automatically.

Rows with the same fabric name, ignoring capitalization, are summed. Keep usable width and purchase rounding consistent for that fabric. Cut sizes are planned separately; rotation and mixed-size nesting are not modeled.

Input guidance and units

Enter inches unless a field says otherwise. The result keeps the theoretical quantity separate from purchase rounding.

Enter fractional inches as decimals: 1/8 = 0.125, 1/4 = 0.25, 1/2 = 0.5. Dimensions and yard increments use steps of 0.125; counts use whole numbers. Fraction text such as 1/8 is not accepted in number fields.

What this calculator answers

A cut-list estimate groups repeated rectangular cuts by fabric and cut size, then plans each cut row across its usable width.

How to use it

  1. For each cut row, enter fabric, cut width across WOF, cut length along the bolt and piece count.
  2. Measure usable WOF for that fabric.
  3. Enter any extra reserve strips deliberately; the default is zero.
  4. Add rows when cut sizes differ and review base, reserve and purchase quantities by fabric.

Formula and variables

Pieces per WOF strip = floor(usable WOF ÷ cut width). Required strips = ceiling(piece count ÷ pieces per strip). Base yards = required strips × cut length ÷ 36. Reserve yards = selected extra strips × cut length ÷ 36. Sum same-fabric rows before applying purchase rounding.

Cut widthin
Dimension across usable width of fabric.
Cut lengthin
Dimension along the bolt.
Reserve stripsstrips
User-selected full extra WOF strips beyond the base cut count.

Independent example

40 background rectangles, each 3.5 × 6.5 in; 40 in usable WOF; no reserve strips.

floor(40 ÷ 3.5) = 11 pieces per strip. ceiling(40 ÷ 11) = 4 strips. Base yardage = 4 × 6.5 ÷ 36 = 0.7222 yd. Round upward to 1/4 yd = 0.75 yd.

  • 11 pieces per WOF strip
  • 4 base strips
  • 0.722 yd theoretical yardage
  • 0.75 yd recommended purchase

What the result means

The result is a row-based rectangular strip estimate. It keeps entered reserve strips separate and does not nest mixed sizes or reuse scraps.

Common questions

Does this include cutting waste?

Only the allowances named in the inputs are included. The calculation does not infer scrap reuse or an extra waste percentage.

Are the result and purchase amount the same?

Theoretical material required and a recommended purchase quantity are different. A purchase amount is shown only when the method supports it and its rounding choice is supplied.

Method notes and unresolved issues

Use measured usable dimensions and the construction method named on this page. Example inputs are optional and are not universal standards.

Continue with the method

Keep the next decision close to the calculation.

Sashing and cornerstone plan Generate rectangular sashing and cornerstone cuts from block layout dimensions. Finished piece to cut size Add an explicit seam allowance to a finished square or rectangular quilt piece. Two-at-a-time HST cut plan Plan paired starting squares for half-square triangle units with the standard two-at-a-time sizing method. Quilt fabric planning worksheet Print separate material and cut records for quantities you have already checked. Fabric and cutting labels Print blank tags to keep fabric IDs, cut sizes and quantities together.