Fabric yardage
How Much Fabric Do I Need? Yardage for Clothes and Home Decor
Most adult garments need 1 to 3 yards of 45 inch fabric: about 2 1/2 yards for a knee length dress in size medium, 2 1/2 for full length pants and 1 1/2 for an A-line skirt. 60 inch fabric usually needs about a quarter less. Your pattern envelope's yardage always wins.
Fabric yardage is the length of fabric you buy off the bolt at a fixed width, so the same project takes about a quarter less on a 60 inch bolt than on a 45 inch one. The 22 projects below are planning estimates from typical pattern cut sizes, for shopping before you own a pattern. To work from your own measurements instead, use the garment fabric calculator or the curtain fabric calculator, and check widths against the fabric width chart before you buy.
Clothes
The table below covers 12 garments, with the full yardage range across every size and style we chart on both 45 and 60 inch fabric.
| Project | Style | Sizes | 45 in range | 60 in range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dress | 6 styles | S, M, L, XL | 2 1/4 yd to 4 1/2 yd | 1 3/4 yd to 3 3/8 yd |
| A-Line Skirt | 1 styles | S, M, L, XL | 1 1/4 yd to 2 yd | 1 yd to 1 1/2 yd |
| Circle Skirt | 1 styles | S, M, L, XL | 3 1/4 yd to 4 yd | 2 1/8 yd to 2 5/8 yd |
| Pants | 1 styles | S, M, L, XL | 2 1/4 yd to 3 yd | 1 1/2 yd to 2 yd |
| Shorts | 1 styles | S, M, L, XL | 1 yd to 1 3/4 yd | 3/4 yd to 1 1/4 yd |
| Button-Up Shirt | 2 styles | S, M, L, XL | 1 3/4 yd to 2 3/4 yd | 1 3/8 yd to 2 1/8 yd |
| T-Shirt | 1 styles | S, M, L, XL | 1 3/4 yd to 2 1/2 yd | 1 3/8 yd to 1 7/8 yd |
| Jacket | 1 styles | S, M, L, XL | 2 1/8 yd to 2 7/8 yd | 1 3/4 yd to 2 1/4 yd |
| Coat | 1 styles | S, M, L, XL | 3 yd to 3 3/4 yd | 2 3/8 yd to 2 7/8 yd |
| Vest | 1 styles | S, M, L, XL | 7/8 yd to 1 5/8 yd | 3/4 yd to 1 1/4 yd |
| Pajama Pants | 1 styles | S, M, L, XL | 2 1/2 yd to 3 1/4 yd | 2 1/8 yd to 2 5/8 yd |
| Scrub Top | 1 styles | S, M, L, XL | 1 7/8 yd to 2 5/8 yd | 1 1/4 yd to 1 3/4 yd |
Home decor and gifts
The table below covers 10 home decor projects, with the full yardage range across every size and style we chart on both 45 and 60 inch fabric.
| Project | Style | Sizes | 45 in range | 60 in range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apron | 1 styles | Adult, Child | 3/4 yd to 1 1/2 yd | 1/2 yd to 1 yd |
| Tote Bag | 1 styles | One size | 3/4 yd to 3/4 yd | 5/8 yd to 5/8 yd |
| Pillowcase | 3 styles | Standard, Queen, King | 1 1/8 yd to 1 3/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd to 1 3/8 yd |
| Duvet Cover | 3 styles | Twin, Full/Queen, King | 10 1/4 yd to 15 3/4 yd | 10 1/4 yd to 10 1/2 yd |
| Curtain Panel | 4 styles | 63 in, 84 in, 95 in, 108 in | 2 1/4 yd to 3 1/2 yd | 2 1/4 yd to 3 1/2 yd |
| Cushion Cover | 3 styles | 16 in, 18 in, 20 in | 3/4 yd to 7/8 yd | 1/2 yd to 7/8 yd |
| Tablecloth | 5 styles | 4 seat, 6 seat, 8 seat, 48 in round, 60 in round | 4 yd to 6 5/8 yd | 2 3/8 yd to 6 5/8 yd |
| Placemats | 1 styles | Set of 4 | 1 5/8 yd to 1 5/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd to 1 1/8 yd |
| Napkins | 2 styles | Set of 4, Set of 8 | 1 1/8 yd to 2 1/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd to 1 5/8 yd |
| Christmas Stocking | 1 styles | One | 3/4 yd to 3/4 yd | 5/8 yd to 5/8 yd |
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate fabric yardage?
Divide the usable fabric width, about 42 in on a 45 inch bolt, by the cut width of your piece to see how many fit across. Multiply the number of rows by the piece length, divide by 36 for yards, then add 10 percent for shrinkage and cutting. The how to calculate fabric yardage guide works through it with an example.
How much fabric do I need for a dress?
About 2 1/2 yards of 45 inch fabric for a sleeveless knee length dress in size M, or 1 7/8 yards of 60 inch. Add roughly 1/2 yard for long sleeves and another 1/2 for a floor length skirt. The dress yardage page breaks it down by size and style.
Is 45 inch or 60 inch fabric better value?
Sixty inch fabric usually needs about a quarter less yardage, but it often costs more per yard, so compare total cost rather than yards. Long pieces such as full length skirts, curtain drops and tablecloth panels save nothing on the wider bolt. The fabric width chart lists usable widths once selvedges are trimmed.
How much extra fabric should I buy?
Add about 10 percent, or at least 1/4 yard, for shrinkage, straightening the grain and cutting mistakes. Plaids, stripes and large prints that need matching want a full extra repeat, and napped fabrics such as velvet and corduroy need every piece facing the same way, which can add a quarter yard or more.
Researched from manufacturer specifications, owner manuals and verified owner reviews, not hands-on testing, and not professional advice. As an Amazon Associate, Cozy Stitchery earns from qualifying purchases.
