Sewing & Quilting Strip Cutting Calculator
Created by: Emma Collins
Last updated:
Plan strip-cut quilting faster with accurate piece yield, strip count, and yardage estimates from your actual cut dimensions and fabric width.
Strip Cutting Calculator
SewingPlan quilting strips, piece yield, and total yardage
Cutting Inputs
Related Calculators
What is a Strip Cutting Calculator?
A strip cutting calculator estimates how many strips and how much fabric yardage you need for repeated quilt pieces. Enter your strip width, sub-cut length, quantity target, and fabric width to plan efficient cutting.
It is useful for chain piecing workflows, pre-cut alternatives, and block batches that use many repeated units.
Strip Cutting Formulas
Usable Width: Fabric Width − Selvage Trim
Pieces per Strip: floor(Usable Width ÷ Piece Length)
Required Strips: ceil(Target Quantity ÷ Pieces per Strip)
Base Yardage (in): Required Strips × Strip Width
Total Yardage (in): Base Yardage × (1 + Extra Percent)
Example Calculation
For 2.5 inch strips, 4.5 inch sub-cuts, and 120 pieces on 42 inch usable width:
- Pieces per strip = floor(42 ÷ 4.5) = 9
- Required strips = ceil(120 ÷ 9) = 14
- Base yardage = 14 × 2.5 = 35 inches
- With 8 percent extra = 37.8 inches = 1.05 yards
Common Applications
- Strip piecing: Plan repetitive strip sets for patchwork blocks
- Jelly roll alternatives: Convert pattern requirements to yardage cuts
- Batch cutting: Prepare large quantities of consistent sub-cuts quickly
- Scrap optimization: Compare output from different strip widths
Tips for Better Strip Cutting
- Press and square fabric before cutting for consistent strip width
- Trim selvage uniformly so usable width assumptions stay accurate
- Use a 5 to 10 percent buffer for directional prints and recuts
- Round up strip count when your target quantity is exact-match critical
Frequently Asked Questions
What is strip cutting in quilting?
Strip cutting means cutting long strips first, then sub-cutting units from those strips. It improves speed and consistency for common patchwork shapes.
How do I calculate pieces per strip?
Use usable fabric width divided by piece length. Usable width is fabric width minus selvage trim or edge waste.
Why include extra percentage?
Extra percent covers recuts, directional print alignment, and minor cutting errors. Many quilters add 5 to 10 percent for safety.
Does this calculator include seam allowance?
You should enter cut dimensions, not finished dimensions. Add seam allowance first if your pattern lists finished sizes.
Can I use this for jelly roll style strips?
Yes. Enter your strip width and piece sub-cut length to estimate pieces and yardage needed.
What if pieces per strip is zero?
That means your piece length is longer than usable fabric width. Reduce piece length or switch to a different cutting method.
Should I trim selvage every strip?
For precision, yes. Consistent edge cleanup gives more accurate strip widths and cleaner piecing results.
Sources and References
- The Quilters Bible, Cutting and Measuring Techniques
- Rotary Cutting Basics, National Quilting Association Education Materials
- Threads Magazine, Precision Cutting Practices, 2024