Enter the number of pattern pieces, the average length and width of each piece in inches, the fabric width in inches, commonly 44 to 45 for quilting cotton and 54 to 60 for many apparel fabrics, and a waste allowance. The tool adds up the area of the pieces plus waste and divides by the fabric width to get yardage. Your pattern envelope gives a yardage chart that accounts for the actual layout, which is more reliable than an area estimate.
An area estimate ignores the way pieces fit on the fabric width, so real layouts can waste more. One-way prints and nap need all pieces oriented the same way. Fabric shrinks in the first wash.
The pattern's own yardage chart is more reliable when available.
Fabric needed (yards) from pattern pieces
| Pattern pieces | 6 |
|---|---|
| Average piece length | 30 |
| Average piece width | 20 |
| Fabric width | 45 |
| Waste allowance | 15.0% |
| Fabric needed (yards) | 2.6 |
| Total fabric area (sq ft) | 28.8 |
Common error: Buying the exact area. Cutting layouts never use every inch, and a small mistake with no spare fabric means starting over.
Fabric Yardage: formula
Fabric Yardage: changing Pattern pieces
| Pattern pieces | Fabric needed (yards) | Total fabric area (sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0.852 | 9.6 |
| 4 | 1.7 | 19.2 |
| 6 (example) | 2.6 | 28.8 |
| 8 | 3.4 | 38.3 |
| 10 | 4.3 | 47.9 |
Fabric Yardage: compare input ranges
| Input | Tested from | To | Fabric needed (yards): low input | Fabric needed (yards): high input | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern pieces | 4 | 8 | 1.7 | 3.4 | 1.7 (67%) |
| Average piece length | 27 | 33 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 0.511 (20%) |
| Average piece width | 18 | 22 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 0.511 (20%) |
| Fabric width | 41 | 50 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 0.505 (20%) |
| Waste allowance | 13.0% | 17.0% | 2.5 | 2.6 | 0.089 (3.5%) |
Fabric Yardage: individual input comparisons
| Input | Value | Fabric needed (yards) | Total fabric area (sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern pieces | 2 | 0.852 | 9.6 |
| 4 | 1.7 | 19.2 | |
| 6 | 2.6 | 28.8 | |
| 8 | 3.4 | 38.3 | |
| 10 | 4.3 | 47.9 | |
| Average piece length | 24 | 2 | 23 |
| 27 | 2.3 | 25.9 | |
| 30 | 2.6 | 28.8 | |
| 33 | 2.8 | 31.6 | |
| 36 | 3.1 | 34.5 | |
| Average piece width | 16 | 2 | 23 |
| 18 | 2.3 | 25.9 | |
| 20 | 2.6 | 28.8 | |
| 22 | 2.8 | 31.6 | |
| 24 | 3.1 | 34.5 | |
| Fabric width | 36 | 3.2 | 28.8 |
| 41 | 2.8 | 28.8 | |
| 45 | 2.6 | 28.8 | |
| 50 | 2.3 | 28.8 | |
| 54 | 2.1 | 28.8 | |
| Waste allowance | 11.0% | 2.5 | 27.8 |
| 13.0% | 2.5 | 28.2 | |
| 15.0% | 2.6 | 28.8 | |
| 17.0% | 2.6 | 29.3 | |
| 19.0% | 2.6 | 29.8 |
Fabric needed (yards): Pattern pieces against Average piece length
| Pattern pieces / Average piece length | 24 | 30 | 36 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0.681 | 0.852 | 1 |
| 4 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2 |
| 6 | 2 | 2.6 | 3.1 |
| 8 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 4.1 |
| 10 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 5.1 |
Fabric Yardage: values and definitions
| Quantity and definition | Value used |
|---|---|
| Pattern pieces — Number of pattern pieces to cut. | 6 |
| Average piece length — Average length of one pattern piece, in inches. | 30 |
| Average piece width — Average width of one pattern piece, in inches. | 20 |
| Fabric width — Usable width of the fabric bolt, in inches. | 45 |
| Waste allowance — Extra allowance for layout inefficiency, nap matching and mistakes. | 15.0% |
| Fabric needed (yards) | 2.6 |
| Total fabric area (sq ft) | 28.8 |
Pattern pieces: half and double
| Pattern pieces | Fabric needed (yards) |
|---|---|
| 3 | 1.3 |
| 6 | 2.6 |
| 12 | 5.1 |
Fabric yardage comes from the area of the pieces plus a waste allowance, divided by the width of the fabric. Six pieces of 30 by 20 inches with 15 percent waste cover about 28.8 square feet, and on 45 inch wide fabric that is about 2.6 yards. Directional prints, stripes and nap force the pieces to face the same way and use more.
The pattern envelope gives the maker's yardage, and this is a check on it.
Check the layout on the fabric width you plan to buy. Narrower fabric needs more length, and prints that must match need extra.
See seam allowances on the seam allowance calculator, resizing on the pattern scaling page and quilt backing on the quilt backing and binding calculator. The yarn requirement and knitting gauge pages cover knitting, and the square footage and unit conversion calculators handle areas and units.
Should I pre-wash fabric?
Yes, for any fabric that may shrink, since washing after sewing can pucker seams and distort the finished garment.
Why do fabric widths matter?
Wider fabric fits more pattern pieces across, so you need fewer yards, and the width affects how efficiently the pieces lay out.