I start out with 4 1/2 inches, I fold mine in half which makes it 2 1/4 inches, I sew that on the quilt with a 1/4 inch seam on my sewing machine, then turn it to the back and sew it on by hand sewing. It turns out to be 1 inch when I get done. I always leave enough batting to puff it up, like one inch.