Quick answer: 108-inch wide backing usually costs about twice as much per yard as 42-inch quilting cotton, but a queen quilt needs only about 3¼ yards of it versus 8¼ yards of pieced cotton, and there are no seams to sew. For queen-size quilts, wide backing is often cheaper. For throws and twins, pieced cotton usually wins. King quilts are wider than 108 inches once you add overhang, so even wide backing needs a seam.
Yardage compared
All figures add 4 inches of backing on every side and round up to the nearest ⅛ yard. Pieced yardage uses whichever seam direction needs less fabric.
| Quilt top |
Backing size |
42 in cotton (pieced) |
108 in wide backing |
| Throw, 60 × 72 in |
68 × 80 in |
3⅞ yd |
2¼ yd |
| Twin, 70 × 90 in |
78 × 98 in |
5½ yd |
2¾ yd |
| Queen, 90 × 108 in |
98 × 116 in |
8¼ yd |
3¼ yd |
| King, 108 × 108 in |
116 × 116 in |
9¾ yd |
6½ yd (two panels, one seam) |
Cost compared
Example prices only: $12 per yard for quilting cotton and $25 per yard for wide backing. Use your own prices for a real comparison.
| Quilt |
Pieced cotton |
Wide backing |
Cheaper |
| Throw |
$46.50 |
$56.25 |
Pieced |
| Twin |
$66.00 |
$68.75 |
About the same |
| Queen |
$99.00 |
$81.25 |
Wide |
| King |
$117.00 |
$162.50 |
Pieced |
The break-even point is roughly where the wide backing's yardage is less than half the pieced yardage, when wide fabric costs about twice as much per yard.
Why the king result flips
A king backing with 4 inches of overhang is 116 inches wide, more than 108. You'd need two lengths of wide backing and a seam, which doubles the yardage. Options:
- Use less overhang if your longarm quilter allows it, or if you're quilting at home. With 0 to 3 inches extra per side, a 108 × 108 inch king may fit on one width.
- Use pieced cotton.
- Look for extra-wide backing over 108 inches, which some shops carry.
Beyond cost
Wide backing: no seams, faster, lies flatter and quilts more evenly. Choice of prints is more limited.
Pieced backing: any fabric you like, a chance to use up stash or add a pieced design, but it takes time and the seams add bulk.
Run your own numbers
The quilt backing calculator works for any quilt and fabric width. Calculate once with 42 inches and once with 108 inches, then multiply each by its price per yard. For a queen in detail, see how much backing for a queen quilt.
Working out your own break-even
To decide for any quilt and any prices:
- Get the pieced yardage and the wide yardage from the quilt backing calculator, once with 42 inch fabric and once with 108 inch.
- Multiply each by its price per yard.
- Compare the totals, then weigh the time saved by not piecing.
Example with a $14 cotton and a $28 wide back on a queen: pieced 8¼ yd × $14 = $115.50; wide 3¼ yd × $28 = $91.00. Wide backing saves $24.50 and an hour or more of cutting, sewing and pressing seams.
Hidden costs of pieced backings
- Time: cutting selvages, sewing two long seams and pressing them open
- Thread and seam allowances: every seam uses about an inch of width
- Matching prints: directional or large-scale prints may need extra fabric to line up across seams
- Longarm handling: some quilters prefer seamless backs, and bulky seams can affect quilting
Hidden costs of wide backing
- Limited choice: fewer prints and colors are made in 108 inch widths
- Leftovers: a throw quilt only uses part of the width, leaving a long narrow strip
- Shipping: wide fabric on large bolts can cost more to ship
Using wide-back leftovers
The leftover width from a smaller quilt isn't waste. A strip 30 or more inches wide can become binding, a pieced backing for a baby quilt, or pillow backs. Factor that in if you sew often.
Common mistakes
Comparing price per yard instead of total cost. The per-yard price is misleading because the yardage differs so much.
Forgetting overhang. Backing must be bigger than the quilt top, usually 4 inches on every side for longarm quilting.
Assuming 108 inches always fits. A king quilt with full overhang is wider than 108 inches.
Quick decision guide
- Throw or baby quilt: pieced cotton, or a single width of 42 inch fabric if it fits.
- Twin: compare prices; the two options are often close.
- Queen: wide backing usually wins on cost and time.
- King: pieced cotton, extra-wide fabric, or wide backing with reduced overhang.
Questions people ask
How much 108 inch wide backing do I need for a queen quilt?
About 3¼ yards for a 90 × 108 inch queen with 4 inches of extra backing per side.
Is wide-back fabric cheaper than piecing?
For queen quilts it often is, because you need less than half the yardage. For smaller quilts, pieced cotton is usually cheaper. Compare totals using your prices.
Can 108 inch backing cover a king quilt?
Not with 4 inches of overhang on each side, because the backing must then be 116 inches wide. You would need a seam, less overhang, or extra-wide fabric.
Is wide quilt backing worth it?
For queen quilts it often costs less in total and saves sewing time. For small quilts, pieced cotton is usually cheaper.
What can I do with leftover wide backing fabric?
Use the leftover width for binding, baby quilt backings or pillow backs.
How wide is wide quilt backing?
Most wide backing is 108 inches wide. Some shops also carry 118 or 120 inch extra-wide fabric.
Do longarm quilters prefer seamless backing?
Many do, since there are no bulky seams to quilt over, but most will work with a well-pressed pieced backing.
Should I prewash wide quilt backing?
If you prewash your quilt top fabrics, prewash the backing too so everything shrinks the same amount. Buy a little extra to allow for shrinkage.