How to Calculate Fabric Yardage for Sewing
Buying the right amount of fabric before you start sewing saves time, money, and frustration. Too little and you can't finish the garment; too much wastes expensive fabric. Yardage depends on garment type, your size, and the fabric width โ all three matter significantly.
Fabric is commonly sold in 36-inch (90 cm), 44-inch (110 cm), and 60-inch (150 cm) widths. Wider fabric is far more efficient โ the same 60-inch-wide piece fits more pattern pieces per yard than a 36-inch-wide piece, so you need considerably less length. Patterned fabrics (plaids, stripes, large florals) require an additional 10โ20% to align repeats at seams โ this calculator provides plain fabric estimates as a baseline.
Always add at least 10โ15% to the calculated amount as a safety margin. This accounts for seam allowances, cutting errors, and potential fabric shrinkage. Cotton and linen fabrics should ideally be pre-washed before cutting to prevent post-sewn shrinkage. For complex projects, having a bit extra is always better than running short mid-project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If your garment requires lining, you'll need approximately the same yardage again in lining fabric. Lining is usually lighter and less expensive than the shell fabric.
Stretch knits conform to the body and typically require 10โ15% less fabric than woven fabrics for the same garment. This calculator uses woven fabric as the baseline.
Yes, especially for natural fibers like cotton and linen that can shrink. Pre-washing prevents unexpected shrinkage after the garment is sewn. Wash and dry using the same method you'll use for the finished garment.