Fabric Yardage Calculator
Estimate how much fabric you need for shirts, dresses, quilts, curtains, and more.
How to Use
- Select your project type from the dropdown.
- Choose the garment size or enter custom dimensions.
- Select the fabric width you plan to use.
- Click Calculate Yardage to see your estimate.
Common Project Yardage Guide
| Project | Size | 44" Fabric | 60" Fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shirt / Blouse | S–M | 1.5–2 yds | 1.25–1.5 yds |
| Shirt / Blouse | L–XL | 2–2.5 yds | 1.75–2 yds |
| Dress (knee) | S–M | 2.5–3 yds | 2–2.5 yds |
| A-Line Skirt | S–M | 1.5–2 yds | 1.25–1.5 yds |
| Pants | S–M | 2.5–3 yds | 2–2.25 yds |
| Throw Quilt (60"×80") | — | 3.5–4 yds | 3–3.5 yds |
| Pillow Cover (18"×18") | — | 0.75 yd | 0.5 yd |
| Table Runner (14"×72") | — | 0.5 yd | 0.5 yd |
Always pre-wash fabric before cutting to account for shrinkage.
About this Fabric Yardage Calculator
Fabric yardage needed for a project depends on the finished piece's dimensions, the fabric's usable width (typically 42–45 inches for quilting cotton, though it varies by fabric type), and how efficiently pattern pieces can be laid out on that width without excessive waste.
Why buying a little extra is standard practice
Fabric requirement calculations rarely account for shrinkage from pre-washing, cutting errors, or pattern matching (aligning a print or stripe across seams), all of which consume more fabric than the base calculation. Buying 10–15% more than the calculated minimum is common practice to avoid running short mid-project.