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Sewing and quilting guides
Clear charts, drawn steps and worked examples in inches and centimetres. Every number follows published standards, so you can cut with confidence.
Quilting
Quilt sizes chart: how big should your quilt be?Quilt sizes chart for every bed: twin, full, queen and king quilt dimensions with topper, coverlet and bedspread drops in inches and cm, plus UK, EU, AU, Japan.Read the guide 
How much fabric do I need for quilt backing?How much fabric for quilt backing, size by size: vertical vs horizontal seams vs 108 in wide back, the panel formula and worked examples in yards and metres.Read the guide 
How much binding do I need for my quilt?How much binding for a quilt: strips and yardage for every quilt size at 2 1/4 and 2 1/2 in (6 and 6.5 cm), the formula, mitred corners and joining the ends.Read the guide 
Half square triangle chart: every method, every size, in inches and centimetresHalf square triangle chart for 1 to 12 in and 4 to 20 cm: cut sizes for 2, 4 and 8 at a time plus oversize and trim, with the 7/8 in rule explained.Read the guide 
Flying geese size chart: no waste and stitch and flip, in inches and centimetresFlying geese size chart for 2 x 1 to 12 x 6 in and 5 x 2.5 to 30 x 15 cm: no waste and stitch and flip cut sizes, trim sizes and the math behind them.Read the guide 
Fat quarter size: how big is a fat quarter, and what can you cut from one?A US fat quarter is about 18 x 21 to 22 in; a metric fat quarter is about 50 x 55 cm. See yields, every precut size and how many fat quarters a quilt needs.Read the guide 
How to make a quilt for beginners: one complete first quilt, start to finishMake your first quilt start to finish: a 56 x 68 in (140 x 170 cm) throw with every cut, yard and metre worked out, plus piecing, basting, quilting and binding.Read the guide
Sewing
Seam allowance: the complete guide for sewing and quiltingSeam allowance by pattern company and region, in inches and cm: 5/8 in, 1.5 cm, 1 cm, the quilter's 1/4 in, how to add allowance to a pattern and the seam test.Read the guide 
How to take body measurements for sewingMeasure yourself for sewing patterns the way ISO 8559-1 and the pattern companies do: 24 measurements, the high bust rule, kids, pets and a printable record.Read the guide - Sewing pattern size chart: Big 4, Burda and OTTOBRE comparedBig 4 (Simplicity, McCall's, Butterick, Vogue), Burda and OTTOBRE size charts in inches and cm, one body compared across brands, the ease guide and how to pick.Read the guide
Sewing machine needle size chart: every size, type and fabricSewing machine needle size chart: NM and US sizes with blade diameter, SCHMETZ colour bands, the right needle for 40+ fabrics and thread by Tex, in g/m² and oz.Read the guide 
Sewing machine thread bunching underneath? Fix bird nests, skipped stitches and tensionThread bunching underneath your fabric? Read your stitches, rethread with the foot up, then fix skipped stitches, breaking thread and tension, step by step.Read the guide 
How much fabric do I need?How much fabric to buy for skirts, dresses and pajama pants on 45, 54 and 60 in (112 to 150 cm) fabric, with circle skirt math, width conversion and nap.Read the guide 
Sewing for beginners: your first week, day by dayLearn to sew in five days: thread the machine, fit an 80/12 needle, sew straight 5/8 in (1.5 cm) seams, press, finish edges and make a scrunchie you will wear.Read the guide
Choosing an app
The standards behind every numberSee the published references our charts and calculators follow.
Free calculatorsAccurate calculators for the questions makers ask every day. Inches and centimetres, right in your browser.
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