Calculate exact fabric yardage, strip counts, and continuous bias square cuts for any quilt size. Avoid guessing fabric at the store and get zero-waste mitered bindings every time.
Optimal for curved edges, scalloped quilts, or ultra-durable edges.
Cut 1 square of fabric measuring 29" x 29" (74cm).
Cut square diagonally. Sew triangles into a parallelogram, mark 2.25in lines, and sew into a tube.
Cut along the drawn spiral line for 332 in of uninterrupted bias binding.
| Method | Yardage | Meters | Cut Spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Bias (Square) | 7/8 yd (0.88) | 0.74m | 1 sq: 29x29 in |
| Straight Grain (WOF) | 5/8 yd (0.63) | 0.51m | 9 strips |
| Straight Grain (LOF) | 2 3/4 yd (2.75) | 2.44m | 4 strips |
A standard Twin quilt measures 70" x 90", giving a perimeter of 320 inches. When you add the essential 12-inch overlap for joining tails and corner miters, the required continuous binding strip length is 332 inches.
For rounded corners or scallop edges on twin quilts, continuous bias provides the necessary stretch without puckering.
Bias strips are cut at a 45-degree angle to the fabric grain. Because woven threads flex diagonally, bias binding curves gracefully around corners without pinching or folding unsightly pleats.
Furthermore, thread wear on quilt edges is distributed across both the warp and weft fibers rather than a single thread, increasing the lifespan of heirloom and bed quilts significantly.
For a standard twin quilt (70" x 90") with 2.25" strip width: using continuous bias requires a 28" square of fabric, which equals 7/8 yard (0.8m). Using standard crosswise (WOF) straight grain requires 9 strips, equaling 5/8 yard (0.56m).
Perimeter = 2 x (Quilt Width + Quilt Length). Then add 10 to 12 inches for corner miters and overlapping tail seam joins. For example, a 60" x 80" quilt has a 280" perimeter + 12" allowance = 292" total binding strip length.
Joining binding strips at a 45-degree angle (mitered diagonal seam) spreads the seam allowance along a longer line rather than bunching multiple fabric layers in one spot. This keeps your quilt edges flat and smooth.
The continuous bias method uses a single square of fabric. The calculator computes the square root of (Total Binding Length x Strip Width) plus 1.25" trimming margin. You cut the square diagonally, sew into a tube, and cut one unbroken spiral strip.
Yes! Toggle the "Metric (cm / m)" button at the top of the calculator. You can enter quilt dimensions and strip widths in centimeters and get exact fabric requirements in meters with 1-click precision.
Yes, this tool is 100% free with no sign-ups or downloads required. You can click "Download PDF Plan" at any time to get a clean printable cutting chart and sewing checklist.
