Quilt Plan KitHow much backing fabric for a California king quilt?
A California king is narrower and longer than a standard king, so its quilt is cut to different proportions.
8 3/4 yd of 42 in fabric (3 panels, horizontal seams).
3 1/4 yd of 108 in wide-back (no seams).
How it's worked out
- Quilt size: 96 x 106 in, which is a California king mattress (72 x 84 in) with a 12 in drop on both sides and the foot and a 10 in pillow tuck.
- Backing size = (96 + 8) x (106 + 8) = 104 x 114 in, which leaves 4 in on every side for the longarm or for basting.
- Vertical seams: 3 panels x 114 in = 342 in = 9 1/2 yd.
- Horizontal seams: 3 panels x 104 in = 312 in = 8 3/4 yd.
- Use the option that needs less: horizontal, 8 3/4 yd. Usable width is taken as 42 in (106 in for wide-back).
Open the backing calculator with these numbers, or read how much backing fabric you need.
Planning the whole quilt? The Quilt Planner has a backing and binding worksheet, fabric requirements and a cutting chart for every project.