How much fabric do you need?

How much fabric to buy depends on three things: the style, your size, and the fabric width. Below are charts for the most popular garments. The numbers aren’t guessed “by eye”: each pattern was laid out on fabric of the right width just as you’ll cut it, and the length of the layout was measured. Values are rounded up to the nearest 5 cm2 in.

How to use the charts

• The numbers show how much fabric to cut from the bolt.
• Fabric width is the full width including the selvages. It’s printed on the bolt label or in the store listing: usually 140–150 cm54–60 in for dress and suit fabrics, 110–115 cm43¼–45¼ in for quilting cotton, and 220–240 cm86⅝–94½ in for bedding fabrics.
• Sizes are women's US sizes: XS — US 4, S — US 6, M — US 8–10, L — US 12–14, XL — US 16, 2XL — US 18, 3XL — US 20.
• Garment length is the default in our pattern maker (see the length chart below). If your skirt or dress is longer, add the difference: for skirts and pants, add it once if the pieces fit side by side across the width, and twice if they sit one below the other.
• The exact fabric amount for your measurements and length is shown in the “Fabric needed” box on the pattern page in our pattern maker—along with a diagram of how to fold the fabric and lay out the pieces.

Fabric needed for 150 cm60 in-wide fabric

Skirts

Dresses and sundresses

Pants and shorts

Tops

Men's

Loungewear

Fabric requirements at a fabric width of 140 cm54 in

Skirts

Dresses and sundresses

Pants and shorts

Tops

Men's

Loungewear

What length is assumed

Garment	Length
Skirts: Straight	60 cm23⅝ in (from waist)
Skirts: Pencil	60 cm23⅝ in (from waist)
Skirts: A-line	60 cm23⅝ in (from waist)
Skirts: Elastic waist	60 cm23⅝ in (from waist)
Skirts: Half circle	60 cm23⅝ in (from waist)
Skirts: Circle	60 cm23⅝ in (from waist)
Skirts: Wrap	60 cm23⅝ in (from waist)
Skirts: Godet	75 cm29½ in (from waist)
Dresses and sundresses: Straight	55 cm21⅝ in (skirt part measured from waist)
Dresses and sundresses: Sheath	55 cm21⅝ in (skirt part measured from waist)
Dresses and sundresses: A-line	55 cm21⅝ in (skirt part measured from waist)
Dresses and sundresses: Waist seam	60 cm23⅝ in (skirt part measured from waist)
Dresses and sundresses: Full skirt	60 cm23⅝ in (skirt part measured from waist)
Dresses and sundresses: Wrap	60 cm23⅝ in (skirt part measured from waist)
Dresses and sundresses: Godet	70 cm27½ in (skirt portion from the waist down)
Dresses and sundresses: Shirt dress	100 cm39⅜ in
Dresses and sundresses: Knit dress	95 cm37⅜ in
Dresses and sundresses: Sundress	55 cm21⅝ in (skirt portion from the waist down)
Pants and shorts: Pants	100 cm39⅜ in (from the waist)
Pants and shorts: Elastic-waist pants	100 cm39⅜ in (from the waist)
Pants and shorts: Palazzo pants	105 cm41⅜ in (from the waist)
Pants and shorts: Shorts	40 cm15¾ in (from the waist)
Tops: Blouse (basic block)	25 cm9⅞ in
Tops: Women's shirt	68 cm26¾ in
Tops: T-shirt	64 cm25¼ in
Tops: Sweatshirt	64 cm25¼ in
Tops: Hoodie	68 cm26¾ in
Tops: Vest	18 cm7⅛ in
Tops: Tank top	62 cm24⅜ in
Men's: Shirt	78 cm30¾ in
Men's: T-shirt	72 cm28⅜ in
Men's: Sweatshirt	72 cm28⅜ in
Men's: Hoodie	74 cm29⅛ in
Loungewear: Robe	100 cm39⅜ in
Loungewear: Pajamas	64 cm25¼ in
Loungewear: Apron	55 cm21⅝ in

How to figure out the yardage yourself

If you don't have a pattern handy, you can estimate yardage with a few simple rules. They give you a generous estimate; only a layout will be exact.

Item	Fabric width 140–150 cm54–60 in
Straight, pencil, and A-line skirts	skirt length + 10 cm3⅞ in: the front and back on the fold fit side by side in almost every size
Gathered elastic-waist skirt	2 lengths + 10 cm3⅞ in
Half-circle skirt	2 lengths + 20 cm7⅞ in
Circle skirt	see the table above: a full circle rarely fits across the fabric width, so it's cut in two to four pieces
Pants	pants length + 10 cm3⅞ in (up to US 12), otherwise 2 lengths + 10 cm3⅞ in
Sleeveless dress	dress length + 20 cm7⅞ in
Long-sleeve dress	dress length + sleeve length + 20 cm7⅞ in
Shirt or long-sleeve blouse	length + sleeve length + 30 cm11¾ in (collar and cuffs)
T-shirt	length + 15 cm5⅞ in; for long sleeves, length + sleeve length

For fabric 110 cm43¼ in wide, double almost everything: the front and back pieces no longer fit side by side.

When to Buy Extra

• Fabric shrinks. Cotton, linen, and rayon can lose 3–7% of their length on the first wash. Add 10 cm3⅞ in per meteryard and prewash the fabric before cutting.
• Plaids and stripes. The pattern needs to be matched at the seams: add 15–25 cm5⅞–9⅞ in, and for a large plaid, up to half the length of the garment.
• Pile and directional prints. Velvet, corduroy, velour, and any up-and-down print: all the pieces get cut in the same direction, so your layout will be 20–30% longer.
• Flaws. Check the fabric in the store: snags, stains, a skewed edge on the cut. You'll need an extra piece to work around any problem spot.
• First time? If you're sewing for the first time, buy 20–30 cm7⅞–11¾ in extra — just in case you have to recut a piece.