How much border fabric do I need?
 

I want to make a couple Jelly Roll Race quilts & was wondering about how much border fabric I should get for each one. I know, I know, I know... they don't normally have borders but I just like borders on my quilts. Plus I want to make sure they're plenty big. I plan to put a narrow (maybe 2") solid-ish border (would I need a yard of that?) & then use one of the prints as the outer border (maybe 4"). Two yards for the outer border? Plus more for the binding (I cut my binding on the straight of the grain at 2.25")? The reason I'm all fired up to find this out is because Fabric Depot is having a 30% off sale this weekend & they have the fabrics I need. Any help would be tremendously appreciated! THANX!!!

what size will the jelly roll race quilt be when that part is finished? When I have that, I can figure the rest for you.

you need to know how large the quilt is you want to border in order to do the math & figure out how much fabric you need for your borders- a quilt that is 54"x72" is going to need alot less fabric than one that is 72" x 90"...we can not decide for you how much border fabric you need without at least knowing how big the starting item is- to be bordered...if you want to purchase fabrics before making the quilt & it's a good sale buy 2 or 3 yards of what you like- then what is left over is 'stash' fabric. if you buy 3 yards you can cut continuous borders-instead of having to piece the long sides- binding will probably be at least a 1/2 yd- maybe 2/3 or more---again depends on how big the quilt is you are wanting to bind- since the binding has to go all the way around it-- if you buy a yard you will have plenty- with again a bit for your stash...at least you wont be short.

Here is a link to several quilting calculators.

http://www.quiltersparadiseesc.com/Calculators.php

The jelly roll race quilt finishes at roughly 48x64. I tried the calculator and it said 1/2 yard for IB, 7/8 yard for OB, resulting in a 60x76 quilt. Binding would take 1/2 yard. Thanks for the link. I always figure my own yardage, but having something available for a quick estimate is wonderful.

When buying fabric I think I may use for a border, I will buy 2-3 yards depending on the size quilt I think I will be using the fabric for a border. If I also want the fabric in the quilt, I will buy an additional yard.

That is the exact size borders I put on my JRR quilt. I don't remember what I bought but just measure width of strips x number of strips you need to go around. The inner border should not take much and the outer border not more than a yard. Binding would be extra.

That's the number I think I saw someplace. I've never made a Jelly Roll Race before so I'm going into this blind. Plus, I'd much rather have too much fabric than too little.

Super handy! THANK YOU!!!

Ppppffffttt. Says who? Here's one my friend made with a border! :D I say make it the way you want it.

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