# Fabric Calculator

Calculate how much fabric to buy for your sewing project. Enter finished dimensions, seam allowances, bolt width, and pattern repeat to get total yardage.

## What this calculates

Stop guessing at the fabric store. Enter your project dimensions, seam allowances, and bolt width to find out exactly how much fabric to buy. The calculator also handles pattern repeats so you do not waste material matching prints.

## Inputs

- **Finished Width** (inches) — min 0 — Width of the finished piece (before adding seam allowances)
- **Finished Length** (inches) — min 0 — Length of the finished piece (before adding seam allowances)
- **Seam Allowance** (inches) — min 0, max 6 — Added to each side of the piece. Standard is 0.5" or 0.625"
- **Fabric Bolt Width** — options: 36 inches, 45 inches, 54 inches, 60 inches, 72 inches, 108 inches (wide) — Standard quilting cotton is 45", many apparel fabrics are 60"
- **Pattern Repeat** (inches) — min 0 — Distance between pattern repeats. Enter 0 for solid or non-directional fabric.
- **Number of Pieces** — min 1, max 100

## Outputs

- **Cut Width (with seam)**
- **Cut Length (with seam)**
- **Widths Per Row** — How many cuts fit across the bolt width
- **Total Fabric Length**
- **Total Fabric Needed**
- **Total Fabric Needed**

## Details

How the calculation works:

  - Cut size = finished size + seam allowance on each side

  - Pieces per row = how many cuts fit across the bolt width

  - Rows needed = total pieces divided by pieces per row (rounded up)

  - Total length = rows x cut length (adjusted for pattern repeat)

Common bolt widths:

  - 36" -- vintage and specialty fabrics

  - 45" -- quilting cotton, most craft fabrics

  - 54" -- home decor and upholstery fabrics

  - 60" -- knits, apparel fabrics, fleece

  - 108" -- quilt backing and wide sheeting

Tips for buying fabric:

  - Always buy 10-15% extra for mistakes and shrinkage

  - Pre-wash fabric before cutting if it might shrink

  - Pattern repeats can add significant yardage, especially for large motifs

  - Save your selvage edges to check dye lots later

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How do I account for fabric shrinkage?**

A: Most cotton fabrics shrink 3-5% after the first wash. Add about 10% extra to your calculated yardage to be safe, or pre-wash and dry the fabric before cutting. Some fabrics like linen can shrink up to 10-15%.

**Q: What is a pattern repeat and why does it matter?**

A: A pattern repeat is the distance before a printed design starts over. When you need to match the pattern across seams (like curtain panels or a large garment), you have to align each cut to the repeat, which wastes some fabric. A 12-inch repeat on a 50-inch cut means each piece uses 60 inches of fabric instead of 50.

**Q: Should I use 45-inch or 60-inch fabric?**

A: It depends on your project. Quilting cotton comes in 45-inch bolts. Apparel knits and many garment fabrics are 60 inches wide. Wider fabric often costs more per yard, but you may need fewer yards overall, so compare the total cost.

**Q: How much extra fabric should I buy?**

A: A good rule of thumb is to add 10-15% beyond what the calculator says. This covers cutting errors, shrinkage, and small adjustments. For beginners, 20% extra gives more room for mistakes.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/everyday/fabric-yardage
Category: Everyday Life
Last updated: 2026-04-08