Fabric Yardage Calculator — Sewing, Curtains & Clothing

How this estimate works

• Conservative per-piece layout: For each piece type we work out how many fit across the fabric width, then stack rows along the length. This is simple and safe.
• Pattern repeat: With nap/one-way prints enabled, each piece length is rounded up to the next multiple of the repeat.
• Shrinkage & extra: Applied after the base total. Pre-wash when possible.
• Store rounding: Round up to ⅛–½ yard or metric increments to match how stores cut.

Fabric Buying Guide: Yardage, Fabric Widths, Nap & Pattern Matching

New to estimating fabric? This guide explains the terms you’ll see in the calculator and how to choose a safe amount of fabric for curtains, clothing, costumes, cushions and more. It uses both imperial (in/yd) and metric (cm/m) so you can shop in the UK, Europe, or North America with confidence.

Common Fabric Widths

• 44–45″ (110–112 cm): Quilting cottons, lightweight prints, many shirtings.
• 54″ (137 cm): Home décor fabrics, some apparel.
• 58–60″ (147–150 cm): Knits, fashion wovens, many dress fabrics.
• Extra-wide drapery/lining: 102–118″ (260–300 cm), helpful for wide, seamless panels.

Choose a width that allows your largest pattern piece to fit across the fabric. If a piece won’t fit, increase fabric width, allow 90° rotation (when there’s no nap), or split the piece and add seam allowance.

Nap, Directional Prints & “Place on Fold”

Nap means the surface has a direction (velvet, corduroy) or the print is one-way (up/down). When nap is on, all pieces must point the same way and cannot be rotated; you’ll often need more length. “Place on fold” pieces (waistbands, some bodice fronts) are cut against the fold to create a mirrored, seamless piece. If you split a fold piece into two halves, add a centre seam allowance.

Pattern Repeat & Matching

Repeats are the distance before a motif lines up vertically again—e.g., a 12″/30 cm floral repeat. For one-way prints, each piece’s length should round up to the next whole repeat to keep motifs aligned at hems and across joined panels. Plaids and stripes benefit from an extra safety margin so lines match at side seams, pockets and cuffs.

Allowances, Shrinkage & Extra Margin

• Seam/Hem allowances: Add to width (left+right) and length (top+bottom). Typical seams are ⅜–⅝″ (1–1.5 cm); hems vary by project.
• Shrinkage: Many fabrics shrink 2–5% on first wash/press. Pre-wash when possible, or add a shrinkage percentage in the calculator.
• Extra margin: A small buffer (e.g., 3–10%) covers cutting error, squaring the grain, and future alterations.

Curtain-Specific Tips

• Fullness: For gathered headings, multiply finished track/pole width by ~1.5–2.5× to get total panel width. For eyelet/tab tops, 1.3–1.8× is common.
• Panel length: Include top header/tape allowance and bottom hem. If there’s a vertical repeat, round the panel length to whole repeats so adjacent panels match.
• Linings: Often cut slightly narrower/shorter; interlining adds bulk—test hem depth before committing.

Store Rounding & Ordering

Most shops cut in ⅛, ¼, or ½ yard increments, or 10 cm increments in metric. Always round up. If your project is close to a boundary, buy a little extra—especially with nap or matching.

Quick Checklist Before You Buy

• Largest piece fits across the chosen fabric width.
• Nap/directional print setting matches your fabric.
• Vertical repeat entered (or set to 0 for solids/small ditsy prints).
• Seam/hem allowances, shrinkage and extra margin applied.
• Rounding matches how your shop sells (yd or m increments).

This calculator uses a conservative, easy-to-verify layout. Complex garments with curved pieces or bias cutting may require additional yardage. When in doubt, take your cut list to the counter and confirm with the retailer.