Fabric Calculator
Calculate how many yards of fabric you need for curtains, dresses, quilts, and upholstery. Includes pattern repeat waste, fabric width adjustment, lining yardage, and total project cost.
inches
inches
Fabric Yards Needed
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With Pattern Waste —
Cost Estimate ($15/yd) —
Extended More scenarios, charts & detailed breakdown ▾
in
in
in
Fabric Yards
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Fabric Widths per Panel —
Total with Hem Allowance —
Professional Full parameters & maximum detail ▾
yds
in
$
$
Main Fabric Needed
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Lining Needed —
Pattern Repeat Waste —
Main Fabric Cost —
Lining Cost —
Notions Estimate (thread/zipper/buttons) —
Total Project Cost —
How to Use This Calculator
- Select your project type (curtains, garment, quilt, upholstery).
- Enter the key measurement — window width for curtains, bust size for dresses.
- Enter pattern repeat if using patterned fabric (0 for solid fabric).
- See yards needed, waste calculation, and cost estimate instantly.
- Use the Curtains tab for detailed fullness and panel calculations.
- Use the Garment tab for size-based yardage by garment type.
- Use the Professional tab for lining, notions, and total project cost.
Formula
Curtains: Yards = (Window Width × Fullness ÷ Fabric Width) × (Length + 8") ÷ 36
Pattern Waste: Add 1 pattern repeat per cut piece
Total Cost = (Main Yards × Price/yd) + (Lining Yards × Lining Price/yd) + Notions
Example
Two curtain panels, 60" window, 2.5× fullness, 84" long, 54" fabric, 12" pattern repeat: widths needed = (60×2.5÷54)×2 = 5.6 → 6 widths. Cut length with repeat = 96". Yards = 6×96"÷36 = 16 yards.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Total fabric width = Window width × Fullness factor (1.5–3×) × Number of panels. Add 8" for hem allowance. Divide by fabric width to get number of widths, then multiply by cut length ÷ 36 for yards. For a 60" window with 2.5× fullness, 84" long, 54" fabric: (60×2.5÷54) = 2.8 widths → 3 widths × 92"÷36 = 7.67 yards.
- With a patterned fabric, each cut piece must start at the same point in the pattern. Add one pattern repeat length per piece cut. A 12" repeat on 6 cuts wastes 6×12"=72" (2 yards) of fabric. The larger the repeat and more pieces, the more waste.
- A simple dress in a medium size typically needs 2.5–3.5 yards of 54" fabric. Add 10–15% for 45" fabric. Add lining at 75% of main fabric yardage. Size up to XL or XXL adds approximately 20–35% more fabric.
- Upholstering a standard 3-seat sofa requires 12–15 yards of 54" fabric. Add more for large pattern repeats. A loveseat needs 8–10 yards, an armchair 6–7 yards. Always buy 10–15% extra for mistakes and future repairs.
- Most apparel fabric comes in 45" or 60" widths. Home decor and upholstery fabric is typically 54" wide. Wider fabric requires fewer seams and less yardage overall. Always check the bolt label before calculating.