Fabric Yardage Chart: How Much Fabric for Clothes and Home Decor

A sleeveless knee length dress in size medium takes about 2 1/2 yd of 45 inch fabric or 1 7/8 yd of 60 inch fabric. Sleeves, longer skirts and fuller silhouettes add a yard or more, so check the rows for your style. Your pattern envelope lists exact yardage for each view.

Full length pants in size medium need about 2 1/2 yd of 45 inch fabric or 1 5/8 yd of 60 inch fabric. Wide legs, cuffs, pockets and larger sizes need more. Shorts take roughly half as much.

One curtain panel needs its finished length plus hems and heading, multiplied by the number of fabric widths for fullness. Our chart lists single panels from 2 1/4 yd for a 63 inch length. Use the curtain fabric calculator for your window width and fullness.

Every pattern drafts pieces differently, and ease, style, seam allowances and layout all change the amount. Charts like this one give planning ranges from typical cut sizes, so they are ideal for shopping before you have a pattern. Always follow the pattern envelope once you choose one, and add extra for matching prints.

Add about 10 percent or at least 1/4 yard for pre-wash shrinkage, straightening the grain and small mistakes. Add more for plaids, stripes, large repeats and napped fabrics like velvet or corduroy, where every piece must face the same direction.