Baby Blanket Fabric Calculator
Select a standard baby blanket size or enter custom dimensions. Includes hem allowance and quantity.
Baby Blanket Sizes and Their Fabric Requirements
When I was making baby blankets for friends and family, I quickly learned that blanket sizes vary a lot depending on how they will be used. A receiving blanket is small and lightweight — perfect for swaddling a newborn. A crib blanket needs to cover a standard crib mattress (about 28" x 52") with some overhang. And a stroller blanket is somewhere in between, designed to tuck around a seated baby without dragging on the ground.
For the most efficient cutting, I lay out as many blanket pieces as possible across the fabric width. On 54" fabric, two receiving blanket pieces (30" wide each) fit side by side if I allow 1" hem on each side. This calculator does this math automatically so you know exactly how many yards to buy.
Fabric Choices for Baby Blankets
Flannel and cotton jersey are my go-to fabrics for baby blankets. Flannel is soft, warm, and washes well — perfect for receiving blankets. Cotton jersey (the same material as T-shirts) stretches slightly and makes cozy stroller blankets. For crib blankets, I prefer a cotton-polyester blend; it holds its shape better after repeated washing. Avoid heavy fabrics like denim or upholstery weight — they are too stiff for a baby blanket.
You Might Also Need
Baby blankets pair well with these nursery sewing projects:
- Crib Sheet Fabric Yardage — calculate fabric for fitted crib sheets
- Changing Pad Cover Fabric Yardage — fabric needs for changing pad covers
- Toddler Quilt Fabric Yardage — quilt sizes for older babies and toddlers