Quilt Layout Planner: Fabric Preview, Yardage & Cutting PDF
Plan a rectangular quilt top with scaled local fabric photos, block repeats, seam allowances, grain-aware cutting maps and downloadable PDF/SVG plans.
Quilt Studio
Start with the original nine-patch example: a 36 × 36 inch top with 144 patches. Upload your own fabric swatches to compare the same real cut positions; no retailer photos are loaded.
Supported scope: Rectangular patchwork tops only · A/B/C fabrics · 1–144 square blocks · at most 900 patches and 80 A4 PDF pages · each finished patch at least 1/2 inch · local PNG/JPEG up to 2 MiB / 8 MP each, resampled to 512 px · 60-second planning worker. No triangles, curves, backing, batting or binding calculations.
Block design, fabric dimensions and scale
Required fields are marked with an asterisk.
Your result
Review your output, then save it to your device.
Make the next step clear.
Your findings, assumptions and next steps will appear here after you run the check.
Quilt Studio · https://quilts.kitforma.com/ · KitForma
Physical fabric scale and actual cut-position preview
Verified seam geometry and grain-locked cutting order
Real PDF book, SVG templates, CSV and assembly data
Understand the evidence.
Focused guides explain the rules, the edge cases and the checks worth doing before you act.
Scale fabric photos for a meaningful quilt preview
Calibrate a local swatch and understand what a repeated photograph can show.
Read the guide ↗Field guide / 02Calculate quilt-top yardage from an actual cutting plan
Follow the usable width, strip heights, seam allowances and purchase reserve.
Read the guide ↗Field guide / 03Sew and print a validated rectangular quilt plan
Use the cut list, assembly order and physical calibration without confusing finished and unfinished sizes.
Read the guide ↗Before you start
Does the yardage include the whole finished quilt?
No. It covers the three fabrics in the rectangular patchwork TOP only. Backing, batting, binding, borders, washing shrinkage and quilting contraction are excluded. The displayed amount follows the actual strip plan plus your two end allowances, reserve and upward purchase rounding.
Can I upload my own fabric photos?
Yes. Choose local PNG or JPEG swatches within the file and pixel limits. Enter the physical width represented by the whole photo and orient lengthwise grain vertically. Images stay local; the preview contains resampled pixels without the source filename or photo metadata. Photo seams, perspective and exact color reproduction are not repaired automatically.
Are seam allowances included in the cut sizes?
Yes. Each cut rectangle adds twice your chosen seam allowance to its finished width and height. The planner reconstructs sewn row and block dimensions from those cuts. The finished-layout view excludes outer seams; unfinished overall dimensions and full-size cut templates retain them.
Does turning a block rotate the fabric grain?
No. Alternate layouts rotate or mirror the arrangement, and rail-fence rotation changes the rectangle shapes. Every rectangle is still cut with lengthwise grain vertical. This preserves the stated grain constraint; directional prints will not automatically rotate with the block artwork.
Will the PDF print everything at full size?
The PDF overview and strip diagrams are scaled and labeled. Pages explicitly marked FULL-SIZE contain individual templates at their physical dimensions; larger rectangles are supplied as true-size SVGs only. Print Actual size / 100%, disable page fitting and measure the 50 mm calibration before using a template.
Is my design saved, and is the cutting plan optimal?
There is no automatic project storage or account. Download the PDF, SVG, CSV or assembly JSON you want to keep; clear the form or close the tab to discard the session. The grain-locked strip plan is constructive and validated but does not claim minimum possible yardage. Sew and measure a test block before committing to the full cut.
Sources & assumptions
Formats, algorithms and supported features are documented below. Check the stated scope and inspect your output before using it.
- Utah State University Extension: Straight Grain Quilt Borders ↗
Explains straight grain, cutting direction and quarter-inch quilt seams.
- The Quilters’ Guild: Making the Quilt Top ↗
Patchwork preparation and piecing guidance.
- The Quilters’ Guild: Layering Your Quilt ↗
Distinguishes the pieced top from backing, wadding and later construction stages.
Reviewed 2026-10-19. Read our methodology or report an issue.