Question on Fabric Requirements
 

I want to make some baby quilts using both the disappearing 4 and 9 patch blocks (not both in the same quilt). I already know how to make the blocks my question is in regards to the fabric requirements for the binding and backing of the quilt. I have not seen any direct patterns using these methods so how would I go about determining how much fabric to buy for a border and a backing, would it just be best to get the top done and then measure from there to figure out how much I need, thank you!!

I am probably the last quilter in the world who has never done a disappearing 4- or 9-patch so can't help directly with that.

If you are following regular instructions (as opposed to what I often do which is make things to the size of my scraps) there is probably somewhere a finished top size.

A lot of people make crib/baby blankets roughly 3x4 feet. I cannot seem to make a quilt smaller than 40" to save my life and it's hard for me to make a quilt small enough to fit within one width of fabric.

If you are going to start making these for donations (or just have a lot of babies to gift!) I would indeed just make the first one and go from there. Good luck with your projects.

I don’t know if this is any help to you but I have just finished a small, scrappy disappearing 4 patch charity quilt. (Trying to use up a stash of random squares).

I used 80 x 5” squares and the finished size is 32” x 40”.

The binding is made from 4 strips of fabric (44”).

I measured one of my completed blocks and was able to work out the number I needed for the whole quilt.
This also helped me calculate how much backing I would need.

Not knowing what size your blocks will be, I would wait until the top is done. Then add borders to finish your quilt the size you prefer. For a baby quilt I try to keep it at 40” wide to avoid piecing the back. That said, I have an issue following my own suggestions

I would also just make the blocks, put them together and then measure and calculate your borders and backing. It's the easier way.

This is a darling quilt. It will make some mom a very happy mom and keep a precious baby very warm.

Since you haven't decided on the size of your quilt yet it would be wise to wait. You don't want to cut yourself short on backing fabric or have way to much. Once you have one finished you can use that as a guide for future references. Usually your binding will take only 4 -2 1/2" strips for a baby quilt.

This would probably be the easiest way.

That is beautiful, Moira!

I make crib size quilts. The batting package says 45" x 60" and I try for 43" x 58". This is the size I normally donate. I make the backing a couple of inches more all the way around.

You are not alone Iceblossom-I have never made a disappearing 4 or 9 patch either. I have made a disappearing pinwheel from Jenny Doan's tutorial.
I agree with everyone that it may be easier to wait until your top is done and then measure for backing and binding.

You just measure around the circumference of the quilt and divide that by the width of the fabric you are using, then multiply by the width of the binding strip you are using (usually 2.25 or 2.5 inches). That gives you the number of inches of fabric you need to buy for the binding.

For the backing, you determine the width of your top. If it's more than 40 inches wide, then you will need more than one length of fabric. You would then determine whether you want to buy 2 lengths of fabric or piece the backing. Piecing the back is done many different ways. Some people use leftover blocks to add to the width or length of the backing. There is a method to use a diagonal seam on the backing (google it). There is no cut and dried way to do a backing. I once had to go back for more backing for a quilt. By then, they had a new die lot and it didn't match. I made a piano key border that I used between the two different pieces of backing fabric. By the time that was in there, you couldn't tell they were two shades of red.

As others have said, it's easier to figure after you have the top done, but you can guesstimate pretty close if you have an idea what size your quilt will be.

bkay

There has definetly been a few times I refused to allow myself to buy backing until the top was done. You never know what size it is going to be...yeah you can estimate but screw ups are easy and costly.

I cheat & use an app. Robert Kaufman Quilters' Little Helper. It's free, but I've only used it once the top is completed. It's worked well for me so far.