Should I enter the cut size or the finished size?
Enter the cut size — that's the finished size plus your seam allowance. For most quilting, the seam allowance is ¼" on each side, so the cut size = finished size + ½" per dimension. For example, a 4" finished square has a cut size of 4.5" × 4.5".
The calculator says my piece is wider than the fabric — what should I do?
This happens when the entered piece width exceeds the usable fabric width. Double-check that you've entered the piece dimensions in inches and that they're smaller than your fabric width. For oversized pieces, consider whether they can be pieced or if a wider fabric (such as 60" decorator fabric) would work.
How do I account for fabric waste and cutting mistakes?
The calculator returns the minimum exact yardage. Add 5–10% extra (multiply the result by 1.05–1.10) to cover cutting errors, fabric shrinkage after pre-washing, and pattern matching on directional prints.
Can I use this for non-rectangular pieces like triangles?
For HSTs, flying geese, and other triangle-based shapes, use the Shapes & HST Calculator which applies the correct cutting formulas including seam allowances. This calculator is optimized for rectangular and square pieces.