Fabric Calculator - Calculate Yardage Requirements
Calculate exact fabric yardage needed for sewing, quilting, and craft projects with waste factors and pattern matching
Fabric Calculator
Results
What is a Fabric Calculator?
A Fabric Calculator is a free tool that determines exact yardage requirements for sewing, quilting, and crafting projects. It calculates fabric needed based on project dimensions, fabric width, and waste factors for pattern matching, shrinkage, and cutting inefficiencies.
This calculator works for:
- Garment sewing - Calculate fabric yardage for dresses, shirts, pants, and custom clothing projects
- Quilting projects - Determine backing, batting, and piecing fabric requirements for quilts and blankets
- Home decor - Plan fabric needs for curtains, pillows, upholstery, and home textile projects
- Crafting - Estimate material requirements for bags, accessories, and fabric craft projects
Making a quilted project? Use our Quilt Calculator to determine specific backing, batting, and binding fabric requirements with precision.
Sewing a circle skirt? The Circle Skirt Calculator calculates exact yardage for full, half, and quarter circle designs with waste factors.
Creating custom bags? Our Bag Calculator determines surface area and fabric panel requirements for professional bag construction.
How Fabric Calculator Works
The calculation uses these formulas:
Where:
- Length = Project length in inches (direction fabric is measured off the bolt)
- Width = Project width must fit within fabric width for single-panel construction
- Fabric Width = Standard bolt width (typically 42-60 inches for most fabrics)
- Waste Factor = Percentage added for shrinkage, pattern matching, and cutting errors (10-30%)
The calculator accounts for fabric sold by the yard (36 inches) and adjusts for project width relative to fabric width. If project width exceeds fabric width, multiple panels are required.
Key Concepts Explained
Fabric Width
Distance from selvage to selvage. Quilting cotton is 42-45 inches wide. Home decor fabric is 54-60 inches. Always measure actual width before purchasing.
Waste Factor
Extra fabric for shrinkage, pattern matching, and cutting mistakes. Add 10% minimum, 15% standard, 20-30% for directional prints or complex patterns.
Yardage
Fabric is sold by the yard (36 inches). Most stores cut to nearest 1/8 or 1/4 yard. Always round up to next quarter yard when purchasing.
Selvage
Finished edges along fabric length with tight weave. Not usable in projects. Actual usable width is typically 1-2 inches less than stated width.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Project Length
Input the length dimension of your project in inches from pattern or measurements
Enter Project Width
Input width dimension - must fit within your chosen fabric width for single panel
Select Fabric Width
Choose standard width or enter custom width if your fabric differs from standards
Set Waste Factor
Choose waste percentage based on fabric type and pattern complexity
Calculate Yardage
Click Calculate to see total yards, base amount, and waste allowance
Purchase Fabric
Round up to nearest 1/4 yard when ordering or buying from fabric stores
Benefits of Using This Calculator
- Accurate purchasing - Buy exact fabric amounts needed, preventing shortages mid-project or expensive excess waste
- Budget planning - Calculate material costs before shopping by multiplying yardage by price per yard for accurate budgeting
- Waste management - Built-in waste factors account for shrinkage, pattern matching, and cutting mistakes common in sewing projects
- Multiple fabric widths - Calculate for quilting cotton (42-45"), home decor (54-60"), or custom fabric widths accurately
- Professional results - Proper yardage ensures consistent fabric from same dye lot, preventing color variation in finished projects
- Project planning - Know exact material requirements before starting, enabling better project timeline and resource planning
Factors That Affect Your Results
- Fabric width selection - Wider fabrics (60 inches) allow single-panel construction, while narrow widths (36-42 inches) may require piecing multiple panels
- Pattern matching - Directional prints, stripes, or plaids require 20-30% extra fabric to ensure patterns align properly across seams and pieces
- Fabric shrinkage - Natural fibers shrink 3-10% when washed. Pre-wash fabric or add 10% extra to account for shrinkage before cutting
- Pattern layout efficiency - Complex patterns with many small pieces waste more fabric (15-25%) than simple large-panel projects (10% waste)
- Nap or directional weave - Velvet, corduroy, or one-way designs require all pieces cut in same direction, potentially doubling fabric requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate fabric yardage for a sewing project?
Divide total fabric area needed (in square inches) by fabric width (in inches), then divide by 36 to convert to yards. Add 10-15% extra for pattern matching, shrinkage, and cutting waste.
What is standard fabric width?
Most quilting cotton is 42-45 inches wide. Home decor fabric is typically 54-60 inches wide. Always measure actual fabric width as it can vary by manufacturer and fabric type.
How much extra fabric should I buy for shrinkage?
Add 5-10% extra for natural fiber fabrics that shrink when washed. Cotton typically shrinks 3-5%, while linen can shrink up to 10%. Pre-wash fabric to prevent surprises.
How do I convert fabric measurements to yards?
One yard equals 36 inches. To convert inches to yards, divide by 36. For example, 90 inches of fabric equals 2.5 yards (90 ÷ 36 = 2.5).
Do I need extra fabric for directional prints?
Yes, directional prints, stripes, or plaids require 25-50% extra fabric to ensure all pieces face the same direction and patterns align at seams. One-way designs need more yardage.