Fabric Yardage Calculator
Ever stood in a fabric shop with absolutely no idea how many metres to grab? You’re not alone, working out fabric yardage is one of the most common things beginner sewists get stuck on. This little calculator gives you a friendly starting estimate for all sorts of projects, from skirts and dresses to tote bags and scrunchies. Just pick what you’re making, your size, and your fabric width, and it’ll tell you roughly how much to buy. Always double-check against your pattern’s requirements — but when in doubt, this’ll stop you coming home with far too little (or a wildly expensive amount too much!).
Fabric Yardage Calculator
Not sure how much fabric to buy? Pick your project and size for a friendly estimate before you hit the shops.
Fabric Yardage FAQs
How much fabric do I need for a dress?
For a simple knee-length dress in a size 10–12, you’ll usually need around 2.3 metres of 150cm-wide fabric. Fuller or maxi styles can need an extra half a metre to a metre. Always check your specific pattern, as styles vary hugely.
What does fabric width mean?
Fabric width is how wide the fabric is on the roll, measured selvedge to selvedge. The two most common widths are 115cm (about 45 inches) and 150cm (about 60 inches). Narrower fabric means you’ll need more length to make the same garment, which is why this calculator asks for it.
How do I convert metres to yards for fabric?
One metre is roughly 1.09 yards, so they’re very close. To be safe when shopping, round up to the nearest quarter yard. This calculator does the conversion for you and rounds up automatically so you won’t come up short.
Should I buy extra fabric just in case?
Yes — it’s almost always worth buying a little extra. An additional 10–20cm gives you room for pattern matching, shrinkage after pre-washing, and the odd cutting mistake. Running out partway through a project is far more frustrating than having a little left over for a matching accessory.
Why is my pattern’s fabric requirement different from this calculator?
This calculator gives a friendly general estimate, while a pattern’s requirement is tailored to that exact design — including its seam allowances, pleats, facings and pattern layout. Always follow your pattern’s stated amount when you have it; use this tool for quick planning before you’ve chosen one.
Happy fabric shopping! Once you’ve got your material sorted, head over to my Sewing page for project ideas, beginner-friendly tutorials and plenty of inspiration to get you stitching. Whether you’re making your very first scrunchie or tackling a full dress, there’s something there to spark your next make.