How Much Fabric Do I Need? Yardage for Common Projects
Fabric comes in two common widths — 44 inches (quilting cotton) and 60 inches (dressmaking). The same project needs noticeably less of the wider one, so always check before buying.
Add 10% for shrinkage if you prewash, and more for directional prints, stripes and plaids that must match.
Typical yardage
| Project | 44 in fabric | 60 in fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Tote bag | ¾ yd | ½ yd |
| Apron | 1½ yd | 1 yd |
| Cushion cover, 18 in | ¾ yd | ½ yd |
| Simple skirt | 2 yd | 1½ yd |
| Child's dress | 1½ yd | 1¼ yd |
| Curtains, per drop | drop + 12 in each | drop + 12 in each |
| Lap quilt top | 3–4 yd total | 2½–3 yd total |
Quilt backing is its own calculation
Backing usually needs seaming, and the direction you seam changes the yardage considerably. Our quilt calculator works it out along with the binding strips and batting size.
Buying extra, and when
Prewashing? Add 10%
Cotton shrinks 3 to 5%, and more in the length than the width. If you'll prewash, buy the extra before cutting rather than discovering the shortfall afterwards.
Directional print? Add a quarter
If the print has an up and a down, every piece must be cut the same way — which means you cannot nest pattern pieces efficiently. Expect to need noticeably more.
Stripes or plaid? Add a repeat
Matching across seams means aligning the pattern, and that costs fabric at every join. Add at least one full pattern repeat, and more for a garment with many seams.
Fussy cutting? Add generously
Centring a motif on each piece wastes everything between motifs. There's no formula — lay it out on the fabric in the shop if you can.
Check the usable width, not the stated width. A 44 inch fabric gives about 42 usable inches once the selvedges are trimmed, and that difference is exactly enough to ruin a cutting plan that assumed the full width. Always calculate on the usable figure.
Fat quarters and precuts
A fat quarter is a quarter yard cut as roughly 18 by 22 inches rather than a long thin strip — far more useful, because you can cut larger shapes from it. Charm packs are 5 inch squares, jelly rolls are 2½ inch strips, and layer cakes are 10 inch squares. They're convenient and priced accordingly; buying yardage is cheaper if you're cutting your own.
Questions we're often asked
How much fabric for a tote bag?
About ¾ yard of 44 inch fabric for a simple lined tote, or ½ yard of 60 inch. Add extra if you want a contrasting lining or pockets.
What is a fat quarter?
A quarter yard cut as an 18 by 22 inch rectangle rather than a 9 by 44 inch strip. The squarer shape makes it far more useful for cutting patchwork pieces.
How much extra fabric should I buy for shrinkage?
About 10% if you plan to prewash. Cotton typically shrinks 3 to 5%, mostly along the length, and it's better to have a spare quarter yard than to be short.