What is strip piecing?

Strip piecing is a quilting technique where strips of fabric are sewn together into a strip set, then cross-cut into segments. It is faster than cutting and sewing individual squares and produces accurate results.

What width should I cut my strips?

Add two seam allowances to your finished strip width. Patchwork uses a scant ¼ inch (about 0.6cm) seam on every edge, so a 5cm finished strip is cut 5 + 2 × 0.6 = 6.2cm wide. Common finished widths are 2.5cm, 5cm, and 7.5cm.

How do I prevent strip sets from curving?

Alternate the sewing direction with each strip: sew strip 1 to 2 from top to bottom, then strip 3 from bottom to top. Press seams in one direction. Use a walking foot for long strips.

Can I use jelly roll strips for strip piecing?

Yes. Jelly roll strips are pre-cut to 6.5cm (2.5in) wide and approximately 110cm long. They yield 5cm finished strips with standard seam allowance.

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Strip Piecing Calculator — Strip Quantities & Fabric

Calculate strip quantities for strip-pieced quilt blocks and designs.

Finished Strip Width

Visible width of each strip after sewing (e.g. 5cm)

Number of Strips

How many strips in the finished strip set

Strip Length

Length to cut each strip — often the width of fabric (~110cm)

Seam Allowance

Per edge; quilting standard is a scant ¼ inch (~0.6cm)

Fabric Width

Bolt width selvedge to selvedge — UK quilting cotton is ~110–112cm

Fabric Price (optional)

Price per unit

How We Calculate This

Strips are cut across the width of fabric (WOF, selvedge to selvedge), so each strip’s length runs along the fabric width and the fabric length you buy is set by how many strips you stack down the bolt.

The formula

Cut width = Finished width + (Seam allowance × 2)

Fabric length = Number of strips × Cut width

Each WOF cut yields a strip as long as the usable fabric width; if your strip length is shorter you may get more than one strip per cut. The result is rounded up to the nearest 0.1 m.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Quilt Batting Calculator

Calculate batting size needed with overhang for quilting.

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before cutting or purchasing fabric.