Fabric Yardage Calculator – Calculate Fabric Requirements
Calculate fabric requirements for sewing and craft projects
How to Use
- Select your project type (curtains, upholstery, quilting, or clothing)
- Enter the required measurements for your project
- Add pattern repeat if your fabric has a repeating design
- Click calculate to see total yardage needed with waste allowance
Understanding Fabric Yardage
Fabric yardage refers to the length of fabric needed for a project, measured in yards (or meters). One yard equals 36 inches or approximately 0.91 meters. Fabric is typically sold by the yard in various widths, commonly 45 inches for quilting cotton and 54-60 inches for upholstery fabric.
Pattern Repeats and Matching
If your fabric has a repeating pattern, you'll need extra yardage to match the pattern across seams or panels. The pattern repeat is the distance between identical points in the design. Always buy extra fabric when working with patterns to ensure proper matching.
Why Add Waste Allowance?
A 10% waste allowance is standard in fabric calculations to account for:
- Cutting errors and mistakes
- Fabric shrinkage after washing
- Pattern matching adjustments
- Seam allowances and hems
- Future repairs or alterations
Project-Specific Tips
Curtains: Measure from the rod to the desired length and add 8 inches for hems. For fullness, multiply window width by 2-2.5.
Upholstery: Measure each section separately and add 3-6 inches per piece for tucking and stapling.
Quilting: Consider the quilt top, backing (needs to be 4-8 inches larger), and binding strips.
Clothing: Always check your pattern envelope for recommended yardage based on size and fabric width.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I measure for curtains?
- Measure from where the curtain rod will be mounted to where you want the curtains to end. Add 8 inches for top and bottom hems. For width, measure the window and multiply by 2-2.5 for proper fullness, then divide by the number of panels.
- What if my fabric has a pattern repeat?
- Add the pattern repeat measurement to each panel or piece length. For example, if your drop length is 84 inches and pattern repeat is 24 inches, you'll need 96 inches per panel (4 complete repeats) to ensure pattern alignment.
- Should I prewash fabric before calculating yardage?
- It's best to buy fabric first, then prewash it before cutting. The 10% waste allowance in this calculator helps account for shrinkage, but some fabrics may shrink more. Always check the fabric care label.
- What's the difference between fabric width for quilting vs upholstery?
- Quilting cotton is typically 42-45 inches wide, while upholstery fabric is usually 54-60 inches wide. Wider fabric means you may need less yardage for large projects. Always verify the actual width of your chosen fabric.