Calculate exactly how much fabric you need for your sewing projects. Get accurate yardage estimates for dresses, curtains, quilts, and more.
Project Type
Size & Style
Window Measurements
Table Measurements
Quilt Size
Pillow Dimensions
Custom Dimensions
Fabric Details
Fabric Requirements
Calculated
0Yards Needed
Project
-
Fabric Width
-
Pattern Type
-
Total Cost
-
Calculation Breakdown
Cost Estimate
Important:
Pre-wash fabric before cutting to account for shrinkage
Buy all fabric from the same bolt for color consistency
Extra fabric included for pattern matching
Pro Tip:
When in doubt, buy an extra 1/4 to 1/2 yard. You can always use scraps for testing or small projects!
Add this calculator to your website
Understanding Fabric Yardage
Fabric Width and Yardage Reference
Fabric Width
Common Uses
Notes
36 inches (90 cm)
Quilting cotton, flannel
Narrower; need more yardage
44/45 inches (112 cm)
Most quilting fabrics, shirting
Standard quilting width
54 inches (137 cm)
Apparel, suiting, wool
Mid-wide; common for clothing
58/60 inches (150 cm)
Knits, apparel, upholstery
Wide; most apparel fabrics
72 inches (183 cm)
Fleece, felt, some upholstery
Extra wide
108 inches (274 cm)
Quilt backing, home dec
Wide backing; saves seams
Fabric Quantity by Garment Type (60-inch fabric)
Garment
Small
Medium
Large
Notes
T-shirt (adult)
1.25 yd
1.5 yd
1.75 yd
More for long sleeves
Dress (simple)
2.0 yd
2.5 yd
3.0 yd
Add 0.5 yd for lining
Trousers/pants
2.0 yd
2.5 yd
3.0 yd
Wide legs need more
Skirt (knee)
1.0 yd
1.25 yd
1.5 yd
Add for longer length
Jacket/blazer
2.5 yd
3.0 yd
3.5 yd
Plus lining separately
Pillowcase (20×26")
0.75 yd
—
—
Standard US size
Curtain panel
Varies
Width × height / 36
—
Add 8" for hem
Fabric Shrinkage Reference by Type
Fabric Type
Expected Shrinkage
Pre-wash Method
Notes
100% cotton
3–5%
Hot wash, dry hot
More shrinkage first time
Cotton-poly blend
1–3%
Warm wash
Less shrinkage than pure cotton
Linen
3–6%
Wash before cutting
High initial shrinkage
Wool
1–3% (cold)
Hand wash/cool
Can felt if agitated hot
Silk
1–3%
Dry clean recommended
Wash carefully if at all
Polyester
Minimal (<1%)
Machine wash warm
Very stable
Rayon/viscose
5–10%
Hand wash cold
High shrinkage; pre-wash essential
Accurate fabric calculation prevents costly mistakes. Always buy a little extra for matching patterns, potential errors, and shrinkage. Pre-wash fabric before cutting to account for shrinkage.
Common Fabric Widths
Width
Common Uses
36"
Quilting cotton, craft fabric
44-45"
Standard apparel, cotton prints
54-60"
Home decor, upholstery, knits
108-120"
Quilt backing, sheeting
Pattern Matching Guide
Pattern Type
Extra Fabric
Solid/No Match
No extra needed
Small Print
No extra needed
Directional
+10-15%
Large Print
+15-25%
Plaid/Stripe
+20-30%
Typical Yardage by Project
Project
45" Fabric
Blouse/Top
2-2.5 yards
Simple Dress
3-4 yards
Full Skirt
2.5-3.5 yards
Pants
2-3 yards
Throw Pillow
0.5-1 yard
Fabric Buying Tips
Pre-wash: Most fabrics shrink 3-5% - pre-wash before cutting
Buy extra: Add 10-15% for errors and future repairs
Same bolt: Buy all fabric from the same bolt for color consistency
Check grain: Ensure fabric is on-grain before cutting
Nap fabrics: Velvet, corduroy need all pieces cut same direction
Save scraps: Keep leftover fabric for matching buttons, repairs
Shrinkage Allowance
Cotton: 3-5% shrinkage
Linen: 5-10% shrinkage
Rayon: 3-5% shrinkage
Polyester: Minimal shrinkage
Wool: Can shrink significantly - dry clean or hand wash
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are the results?
The Fabric applies a standard formula to your inputs — accuracy depends on how precisely you measure those inputs. For planning and estimation, results are reliable. For high-stakes or professional decisions, cross-check the output with a domain expert or primary source.
Can I use this on mobile?
Yes — the calculator is designed to work on any device. For complex multi-input calculations on small screens, landscape orientation gives more room to see all fields and results simultaneously.
Practical Guide for Fabric Calculator - Calculate Yardage for Sewing Projects
Fabric Calculator - Calculate Yardage for Sewing Projects is most useful when the inputs reflect the situation you are actually planning around, not a best-case estimate. Treat the result as a decision aid: it gives you a structured way to compare assumptions, spot outliers, and decide what to verify next. For Other work, the most important review lens is baseline behavior, time cost, throughput, constraints, friction, and the decision threshold you care about.
Start with a baseline run using values you can defend. Then change one assumption at a time and watch which output moves the most. If one input dominates the result, spend your verification time there first. If several inputs have similar influence, use a conservative scenario and an optimistic scenario to create a practical range instead of relying on a single exact number.
Before acting on the result, compare the result with recent real-world data instead of ideal targets or one-off examples. This is especially important when the calculator supports a purchase, project plan, performance target, or operational decision. The calculator can make the math consistent, but the quality of the conclusion still depends on current data, clear units, and assumptions that match your real constraints.
Review Checklist
Confirm every input uses the unit and time period requested by the calculator.
Run a low, expected, and high scenario so the answer has a useful range.
Check whether rounding or a missing decimal place changes the decision.
Update the calculation after each meaningful workflow, schedule, cost, or usage change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much fabric do I need?
The amount of fabric you need depends on the project, fabric width, and pattern layout. General approach for garments: Check your pattern envelope — it lists yardage requirements by size and fabric width (usually 44/45" and 60"). If no pattern, estimate using these rules: Simple top or blouse: 1.5–2 yards of 60" fabric for most sizes. Dress: 2.5–3.5 yards depending on style and length. Pants/trousers: 2–3 yards. Skirt: 1.25–2 yards depending on length and fullness. For home décor: Pillow cover (20×20"): ~1 yard (includes seam allowance). Curtain panel: (finished height + 8" hem allowance) × 2 (for fullness) / 36" (to convert to yards). Quilt top: depends on design; a basic lap quilt (50×65") uses approximately 4–5 yards total across fabrics. Rule of thumb for extra: always buy 10–15% more than calculated. Fabric defects, cutting errors, shrinkage, and pattern matching all consume more than expected. Pre-washing: cotton and linen can shrink 3–6% — always pre-wash before cutting if the finished item will be laundered. A 3-yard cut of fabric that shrinks 5% becomes only 2.85 yards — which can matter for tight yardage estimates.
How do I calculate fabric for curtains?
Curtain yardage calculation involves four measurements: window width, fullness ratio, finished length, and hem/header allowance. Step 1 — Determine finished width: Measure the rod or track width. Multiply by fullness: Rod pocket/grommet: 2–2.5× width for good fullness. Pinch pleat: 2.5–3× width. Eyelet/unlined: 1.5–2× width. Example: 60-inch window × 2.25 fullness = 135 inches total fabric width. Step 2 — Calculate number of panels: If making two panels: 135 / 2 = 67.5 inches per panel. If fabric is 54" wide, each panel needs one fabric width (54" ≥ 67.5"? No — need 2 widths). If fabric is 60" wide, each panel needs 2 widths (120" cut, then trim). Step 3 — Determine cut length: Finished length + 4" (double 2" bottom hem) + 4" (header/rod pocket) = cut length. Example: 84" finished length + 8" = 92" cut length. Step 4 — Calculate yards: (Cut length × number of fabric widths per panel × 2 panels) / 36. Example: (92" × 2 widths × 2 panels) / 36 = 368 / 36 = 10.2 yards. Pattern matching: if fabric has a large repeat, add one full repeat per cut. A 12" repeat on 4 cuts = add 4 × 12 = 48" = 1.33 extra yards. Round up to the nearest 0.25 yard when purchasing.
What is selvage and why does it matter?
The selvage (also spelled selvedge) is the finished, self-edge of a woven fabric that runs along both long sides of the fabric, parallel to the warp threads (lengthwise grain). How selvages form: During weaving, the weft thread turns and loops back at each edge, creating a tightly woven, stable border that won't fray. This is fundamentally different from cut edges of the fabric interior, which do fray. Why selvage matters for sewing: Grain line: patterns are cut along the grain, parallel to the selvage. Cutting on-grain gives garments correct drape and reduces twisting after washing. Cutting off-grain causes: twisting side seams in T-shirts, uneven hems, unstable seam lines. Width measurement: fabric width is measured selvage to selvage. "60-inch fabric" means 60 inches between the two selvage edges. Usable width is usually 56–58" after removing selvage trim. Never use selvage in seams: selvage is often tighter than the fabric body and can cause puckering. Always trim or mark it off when laying pattern pieces. Printed selvage information: fabric manufacturer, fabric name/content, color registration dots, print direction. This is useful for identifying unknowns and confirming grain direction. Pre-washing consideration: woven fabrics shrink more in the lengthwise direction (parallel to selvage) than crosswise. This is normal — it affects cut lengths more than widths.
How do I convert yards to meters for fabric?
Fabric is sold by yards in the US and by meters in most of the world. Converting between them is straightforward. Conversion factors: 1 yard = 0.9144 meters. 1 meter = 1.0936 yards. Quick approximation: 1 meter ≈ 1.1 yards. Common conversions: 0.5 yard = 0.457 m. 1 yard = 0.914 m. 1.5 yards = 1.372 m. 2 yards = 1.829 m. 3 yards = 2.743 m. 1.5 meters = 1.64 yards. 2 meters = 2.19 yards. 3 meters = 3.28 yards. Width conversions (inches to centimeters): 36 inches = 91 cm. 44/45 inches = 112/114 cm. 54 inches = 137 cm. 60 inches = 152 cm. When buying from a foreign pattern: European patterns list fabric in meters with 140–150 cm width (equivalent to ~60"). If a European pattern calls for 2.5 meters of 140 cm fabric, and you're buying 60" (152 cm) fabric: 2.5 m ÷ 1.0936 = 2.29 yards. Since your fabric is slightly wider, you need slightly less (can reduce by ~5%). When buying online in unfamiliar units: always verify whether a listing is in yards or meters before purchasing — the price difference can be significant, and the usable amount differs by ~10%.