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Fabric Yardage Calculator

📅Last updated: October 22, 2025
✓Reviewed by: LumoCalculator Team

Calculate fabric yardage needed for sewing, quilting, and craft projects. Enter project size and fabric width to get accurate measurements.

Calculate Fabric Yardage

Project Size

📏 Yardage Needed

Minimum
2.50
yards
Recommended
2.75
yards (with 10% waste)
Meters: 2.50m
Fabric Widths
2
Efficiency
140%

💡 Tips

  • ✅ Excellent fabric efficiency (>85%)! Layout is well-optimized.
  • 💧 3% shrinkage allowance included. Pre-wash fabric if possible to avoid surprises.
  • 📏 2 fabric widths needed. You'll need to seam widths together.

Related Calculators

Standard Fabric Widths

WidthTypeCommon Uses
36"Quilting CottonQuilts, crafts, small projects
45"Standard CottonGarments, quilts, general sewing
54"Home DécorCurtains, upholstery, pillows
60"Wide CottonTablecloths, wide garments
108"Quilt BackingQueen quilts (no seams)
118"Extra WideKing quilts (seamless)

Tip: Wider fabric reduces seams but may cost more per yard. Choose based on project needs and budget.

How to Calculate Yardage

📐 Basic Formula

Yards = ((Width ÷ Fabric Width) × Length + Shrinkage + Waste) ÷ 36

Step-by-step:
1. Measure project: Width × Length in inches
2. Divide width by fabric width = number of widths (round up)
3. Multiply widths by length = total inches needed
4. Add 3-5% for shrinkage
5. Add 10-15% for waste
6. Divide by 36 to get yards

Example:
Project: 60"W × 84"L
Fabric: 45"W
Widths: 60÷45 = 2 widths
Inches: 2 × 84 = 168"
+3% shrinkage: 173"
+10% waste: 190"
Yards: 190÷36 = 5.3 yards
Buy: 5.5 yards (round up to 0.25 yd)

Shrinkage & Waste Guidelines

💧 Shrinkage Allowance

• Cotton/Linen: 3-5%
• Wool: 5-8%
• Synthetic: 1-2%
• Silk: 2-3%
Best practice: Pre-wash fabric before cutting to avoid shrinkage surprises

📏 Waste Margin

• Beginners: 15-20%
• Intermediate: 10-15%
• Advanced: 5-10%
• Pattern repeat: +20-30%
Why? Cutting mistakes, pattern matching, straightening edges, future repairs

Pro Tip: Same dye lot fabric impossible to match later. Always buy 10-15% extra for safety.

Pattern Repeat Guide

🎨 What is Pattern Repeat?

The vertical or horizontal distance before the design repeats. Critical for matching patterns across seams.

Measure: Distance from one motif to the identical motif
Small repeat: <12" (5-10% extra fabric)
Medium repeat: 12-24" (10-20% extra)
Large repeat: 24"+ (20-30% extra)
No repeat: Solid colors, random prints (no extra)

📊 Impact on Yardage

Each fabric width must align at pattern repeat for seamless look.

Example: 84" length with 24" repeat
84 ÷ 24 = 3.5 → need 4 repeats
4 × 24" = 96" per width (12" extra)
2 widths = 192" total vs 168" without repeat
Extra fabric: 24" = 14% more yardage needed

Project-Specific Tips

🧵 Quilts

Use 45" for piecing, 108" for backing. Add 0.25" seam allowance. Calculate all blocks together. Binding: add 0.5 yard. Waste: 10-15%.

🪟 Curtains

Width: 1.5-2.5× window width for fullness. Length: sill/apron/floor +hem. Use 54" home décor fabric. Check directional pattern. Add 15-20% waste.

👗 Garments

Follow pattern yardage as guide. Check fabric width (45" or 60"). Directional: one-way layouts. Plaids/stripes: extra for matching. Waste: 15-20%.

🏡 Home Décor

Pillows: add 2" for seams. Tablecloths: overhang 8-15". Upholstery: use 54" fabric. Pattern repeat critical. Railroading: run fabric horizontally to avoid seams.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate fabric yardage for a project?
Formula: ((Project Width ÷ Fabric Width) × Project Length) + Shrinkage + Waste = Yards Needed. Step 1: Measure project dimensions (width × length). Step 2: Choose fabric width (45", 54", 60" most common). Step 3: Calculate how many fabric widths needed: Project Width ÷ Fabric Width (round up). Step 4: Multiply by project length to get total inches. Step 5: Add 3-5% for shrinkage, 10% for waste. Step 6: Divide by 36 to convert to yards. Example: 60"W × 84"L project on 45"W fabric: (60÷45=2 widths) × 84" = 168" ÷ 36 = 4.67 yards. With 10% waste: 5.1 yards. Always round up to nearest 0.25 yard.
How much extra fabric should I buy for shrinkage and mistakes?
Shrinkage allowance: Cotton/linen: 3-5% (pre-wash to avoid). Wool: 5-8% (dry clean to prevent). Synthetic: 1-2% (minimal shrinkage). Silk: 2-3% (hand wash). Waste allowance: Beginners: 15-20% (for mistakes, pattern matching). Intermediate: 10-15% (standard safety margin). Advanced: 5-10% (minimal waste). Large projects: +10% (more cutting/matching). Directional patterns: +15% (one-way layout only). Pattern repeat: +20-30% (matching at repeats). Recommended total: 10-15% extra for most projects. Better to have leftovers than run short - same dye lot impossible to match later.
What are standard fabric widths and which should I choose?
Standard widths: 36" (Quilting cotton, craft fabrics). 45" (Most common - apparel cotton, basic quilting). 54" (Home décor, upholstery, drapery). 60" (Wide cotton, some apparel, tablecloths). 108" (Quilt backing - no seams for queen). 118" (Extra wide backing - seamless king quilts). Choose based on: Project type: Garments (45"), quilts (45" or 108"), curtains (54"), tablecloths (60"). Efficiency: Wider = fewer seams but more waste if not needed. Pattern repeat: Match repeat across widths (affects yardage). Cost: Wider fabrics often more expensive per yard but may need less total. Pro tip: For quilts, 108" backing eliminates piecing seams and saves time.
How does pattern repeat affect fabric yardage?
Pattern repeat is the distance before design repeats vertically or horizontally. Affects yardage when: Multiple fabric widths needed (must match at seams). Directional patterns (one-way designs). Large repeats (24"+ add significant fabric). Calculation: (Project Length ÷ Pattern Repeat) = Repeats needed (round up) × Repeat Size = Actual length per width. Example: 84" curtain with 24" repeat: 84÷24=3.5 → 4 repeats × 24"=96" needed (12" extra). 2 widths = 96"×2=192" total = 5.3 yards. Without repeat: 84"×2=168" = 4.7 yards. Pattern repeat adds 0.6 yards (13%). Large repeats (24"+): Can add 20-30% extra fabric. Small repeats (&lt;12"): Minimal impact (5-10%). Pro tip: Center pattern on each width for best appearance - may need extra repeat.
Can I use this calculator for quilts, curtains, and garments?
Yes! Adjust inputs for each project: Quilts: Measure quilt top size (before batting/backing). Use 45" fabric for piecing, 108" for backing. Add 0.25" seam allowance per seam. Multiple pieces = total fabric for all blocks. Waste margin: 10-15% (cutting, squaring, mistakes). Curtains/Drapes: Measure window width + returns. Length: sill, apron, or floor (+hem allowance). Fabric width: 54" (home décor fabric). Directional pattern: Check this box. Pattern repeat: Measure vertical repeat. Fullness: 1.5-2.5× window width. Garments: Use pattern envelope yardage as guide. Enter garment dimensions from pattern. Fabric width: Usually 45" or 60". Directional pattern: One-way prints, nap, stripes. Seam allowance: 0.5-0.625" standard. Add 10-20% for layout efficiency. Calculator estimates yardage - always check pattern instructions for garments.
How do I handle directional patterns and one-way designs?
Directional patterns have: One-way designs (flowers facing up, text, animals). Nap (velvet, corduroy - pile direction). Stripes/plaids (must run same direction). Shading (some prints look different rotated). Impact on yardage: Cannot rotate fabric to save yardage. All pieces cut in same direction. May need 20-50% more fabric. Multiple widths all face same way. Calculating: Check "Directional Pattern" box. Layout: All pieces same direction on fabric. Width efficiency lost (can't use crosswise). Length multiplies by number of widths. Example: 60" wide project on 45" fabric: Non-directional: 2 widths, can rotate = less fabric. Directional: 2 widths, same direction = more fabric needed. Tips: Buy extra 15-20% for directional fabrics. Test pattern direction before cutting. Mark fabric top with tape. Consider 60" wide fabric to reduce widths needed.