A friend called wanting help putting together some very old quilt squares that her grandmother had done. She had just found them stuffed in a drawer. Can someone help me figuring how much yardage she will need to make sashing and backing? She has 20 13" squares. I was thinking maybe 2" sashing between the squares, with a 3 or 4" border, plus the backing all in bleached muslin... I need help! I usually just do baby quilts and don't have to worry about not having purchased enough fabric at one time. I want this to turn out special for her, so I'm coming to y'all for help!

I think I am tired tonight. I sat here and calculated the amount of fabric, then a bright light went off that said I can't calculate it because I don't know what size muslin you are planning. It comes in so many different widths.

I wasn't sure what size muslin. Whichever you think is best. I was thinking about the 108 inch for the backing because I had to piece backs. If you could help with this, I sure would be appreciative. I want it to fit either a full or queen bed if possible (queen preferably). It's been so long since I have done a big quilt that I am afraid to trust myself calculating this.

go to: http://quiltinglibrary.blogspot.com/
this site is great to get your yardage, lay out your patterns, design your blocks everything.
phyllis nm

Thank both of you for trying to help. I have been out of town all day and haven't been able to try to figure any of this yet.... plus I looked at that quiltinglibrary site, and you could spend DAYS there. I just need me a little hut somewhere so I could get away and read all of this info without being interrupted. I know I would learn a lot, but finding the time is my trouble... Will just have to look at a few of the things at a time.

I am going to see what I come up with tomorrow. I am leaning toward 4 yards of the 108 inch fabric. That way we should have enough for a solid backing, plus the sashing. But I want to sit down and try to figure it out....

Thanks again! Good night.

I am really tired right now, but I will put on my thinking cap tomorrow and see if I can help. I think 4 yards of 108" would probably be plenty. The main thing is to calculate the final size, so we are sure that you cut the piece for the back first.

I came up with 4 Yards of 108" with just a few inches left over.

Sadiemae, thank you so much for refiguring this for me! I am going to tell her 4 1/2 yards so we will have a little left over! I want to make sure we get enough, and since it has been so long for me in doing a bigger quilt, I just want to make sure we get enough. I just didn't want yards and yards left over! Thank you for all your time and effort! Made me feel better knowing I was at least in the ballpark.