Sewing
Fabric Yardage Calculator
Enter your piece size, quantity, and bolt width to see exactly how much fabric to buy, how many pieces fit across, and what it will cost.
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Calculator
Fabric to buy
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How much fabric do I need for 6 pieces of 18" × 22"?
For 6 pieces of 18" × 22" on a 44" bolt with a 1/2" seam allowance, 10% waste, and fabric at $12 a yard:
You enter
- Piece size
- 18" × 22" (45.7 cm × 55.9 cm)
- Quantity
- 6
- Bolt width
- 44", 43" usable (112 cm, 109.2 cm usable)
- Seam allowance / waste
- 1/2" / 10% (1.3 cm)
You get
- Cut piece size
- 19" × 23" (48.3 cm × 58.5 cm)
- Pieces across the bolt
- 2 (3 rows)
- Fabric to buy
- 2-1/8 yd (2.0 m)
- Estimated cost
- $25.50
The formula: pieces across = usable width ÷ cut width (rounded down); rows = quantity ÷ pieces across (rounded up); length = rows × cut height × (1 + waste %), rounded up to 1/8 yard.
How much fabric do I need for other common pieces?
Fabric to buy with a 1/2" seam allowance and 10% waste, worked out by the calculator above. Pattern matching and napped fabrics need more.
| Pieces | Cut size | On 44" fabric | On 60" fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pieces, 6" × 6" (15.2 cm × 15.2 cm) | 7" × 7" (17.8 cm × 17.8 cm) | 1/4 yd (0.2 m) | 1/4 yd (0.2 m) |
| 6 pieces, 8" × 10" (20.3 cm × 25.4 cm) | 9" × 11" (22.9 cm × 28.0 cm) | 3/4 yd (0.7 m) | 3/8 yd (0.4 m) |
| 4 pieces, 10" × 10" (25.4 cm × 25.4 cm) | 11" × 11" (28.0 cm × 28.0 cm) | 3/4 yd (0.7 m) | 3/8 yd (0.4 m) |
| 8 pieces, 10" × 10" (25.4 cm × 25.4 cm) | 11" × 11" (28.0 cm × 28.0 cm) | 1-1/8 yd (1.0 m) | 3/4 yd (0.7 m) |
| 2 pieces, 15" × 16" (38.1 cm × 40.6 cm) | 16" × 17" (40.7 cm × 43.2 cm) | 5/8 yd (0.5 m) | 5/8 yd (0.5 m) |
| 4 pieces, 12" × 18" (30.5 cm × 45.7 cm) | 13" × 19" (33.1 cm × 48.3 cm) | 1-1/4 yd (1.1 m) | 5/8 yd (0.6 m) |
| 2 pieces, 18" × 18" (45.7 cm × 45.7 cm) | 19" × 19" (48.3 cm × 48.3 cm) | 5/8 yd (0.6 m) | 5/8 yd (0.6 m) |
| 6 pieces, 18" × 22" (45.7 cm × 55.9 cm) | 19" × 23" (48.3 cm × 58.5 cm) | 2-1/8 yd (2.0 m) | 1-1/2 yd (1.3 m) |
| 2 pieces, 20" × 30" (50.8 cm × 76.2 cm) | 21" × 31" (53.4 cm × 78.8 cm) | 1 yd (0.9 m) | 1 yd (0.9 m) |
| 2 pieces, 27" × 36" (68.6 cm × 91.4 cm) | 28" × 37" (71.2 cm × 94.0 cm) | 2-3/8 yd (2.1 m) | 1-1/4 yd (1.1 m) |
Frequently asked questions
How much fabric do I need for my project?
Add the seam allowance to every side of each piece, work out how many pieces fit across the usable width of the bolt, then multiply the number of rows by the piece height and add a little for waste. Six 18" × 22" pieces with a 1/2" seam allowance need 2-1/8 yd of 44" fabric with 10% extra.
How much extra fabric should I buy for pattern matching?
For plaids, stripes, and large prints that must line up across seams, add one full pattern repeat per length you cut — measure the repeat on the bolt (often 6" to 27"). For directional prints and napped fabrics such as velvet or corduroy, every piece must face the same way, so set the waste allowance toward the top of the slider.
Why does bolt width change how much fabric I need?
Fabric is sold by length, so a wider bolt fits more pieces side by side in each row and you need fewer rows. The calculator uses the usable width — the bolt width minus about 1" of selvage — because the woven edges are too tight to cut pieces from.
How much should I add for shrinkage?
Cotton typically shrinks 3–5% on its first wash, linen and rayon can shrink more, and polyester barely at all. If you'll prewash, add the expected shrinkage to the waste allowance (for cotton, raise it by about 5%) or buy an extra 1/8 to 1/4 yard.
Related tools
Which sewing machine should I use for this project?
Three picks from starter to step-up, sold in Canada and the US. Want a match for your budget? Take the machine picker.
The starter
Baby Lock Zest 15S
CA$299 · US$209
15 built-in stitches · Mechanical · 4-step buttonhole
See it at your shop →
The easy threader
Baby Lock Zeal
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The all-rounder
Baby Lock Jubilant
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