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How Many 18-inch Blocks for a Baby / Crib Quilt?

A Baby / Crib quilt (40″ × 52″) needs 2 blocks with standard sashing, or 4 blocks set without sashing.

Your Block Count

2
blocks with sashing
1 cols × 2 rows
2″ sashing · 3″ border
Finished: 24″ × 44″
4
blocks without sashing
2 cols × 2 rows
No sashing or border
Finished: 36″ × 36″

Layout with Sashing (1 × 2)

Each square = one 18-inch block. Gray gaps represent 2″ sashing.

Estimated Fabric (with sashing + border)

Estimates assume a 2-color block, 2″ sashing, 3″ border, and standard 44″ quilting cotton. Add 10–15% for error.

Block fabric (per color)0¾ yds
Sashing0⅛ yds
Border0¼ yds
Backing1¾ yds
Binding1 yds
Total (approx.)4⅛ yds

Planning a Baby / Crib Quilt with 18-inch Blocks

A Baby / Crib quilt typically measures 40 × 52 inches finished —sized for a standard crib or as a play mat for infants. Using 18-inch finished blocks with 2-inch sashing and a 3-inch border, you will need 2 blocks arranged in a 1 × 2 grid.

If you prefer a simpler layout without sashing — blocks set edge to edge — the same Baby / Crib quilt needs 4 blocks in a 2 × 2 arrangement, finishing at approximately36″ × 36″.

Choosing Your Sashing Width

Sashing frames individual blocks and brings the quilt top to the desired finished size with fewer blocks. Wider sashing (3–4 inches) gives a more open, airy feel; narrower sashing (1–1.5 inches) lets the blocks be the star. No sashing at all creates a seamless all-over pattern — especially effective with blocks that form continuous secondary designs when set edge to edge, like Pinwheel, Nine Patch, and Flying Geese.

Calculating Fabric for a Baby / Crib Quilt

The fabric estimates above assume two fabrics per block, standard 44-inch quilting cotton, and a seam allowance of ¼ inch. In practice, quilts made from many different scrappy fabrics will need different yardages for each fabric. Add 10–15% to all estimates to account for cutting waste, miscuts, and design changes.

For the backing, you will need the quilt top dimensions plus 4 inches on all sides. A Baby / Crib quilt top of approximately 24″ × 44″ needs a backing of at least 32″ × 52″. For quilts wider than 44 inches, backing fabric must be pieced or wide backing fabric (108 inches wide) used.