Fabric Yardage Calculator

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Fabric Yardage Calculator

Use this calculator to determine the total fabric yardage required for your sewing or crafting project. Input your item's dimensions, the number of pieces, fabric width, and any pattern repeat or extra allowances to get an accurate estimate.

44/45 inches (Standard Quilting) 54 inches (Home Decor) 60 inches (Apparel/Wide) 36 inches (Narrow)

Understanding Fabric Yardage for Your Projects

Calculating the correct amount of fabric for a project is a crucial step in sewing and crafting. Too little, and you're left scrambling for more, potentially from a different dye lot. Too much, and you've wasted money and created unnecessary stash. This fabric yardage calculator helps you get it right the first time.

Key Factors in Fabric Yardage Calculation:

  • Item Length & Width: These are the finished dimensions of your individual piece. For example, if you're making a pillow cover, this would be the size of the pillow form.
  • Number of Items: How many identical pieces do you need to cut? This directly impacts the total fabric required.
  • Fabric Width: Fabrics come in various standard widths, such as 36″, 44/45″, 54″, and 60″. The wider the fabric, the more pieces you can often cut across its width, potentially reducing the total length (yardage) needed.
  • Seam Allowance: Most sewing projects require seam allowances to join pieces together. This calculator adds the specified seam allowance to all four edges of each piece (twice the allowance to both length and width) to ensure your cut pieces are large enough.
  • Pattern Repeat: If your fabric has a printed design that needs to be matched across pieces (e.g., stripes, large florals), you'll need extra fabric to account for the pattern repeat. The calculator adds an appropriate amount to ensure each piece can accommodate a full repeat.
  • Extra for Fussy Cutting/Shrinkage: It's often wise to add a little extra fabric for potential shrinkage after pre-washing, or if you plan to "fussy cut" specific motifs from your fabric.

How to Use the Calculator:

  1. Measure Your Item: Determine the finished length and width of one individual piece you need to cut.
  2. Count Your Pieces: Input the total number of identical pieces you plan to make.
  3. Check Fabric Width: Select or input the width of the fabric you intend to use. This is usually found on the bolt or product description.
  4. Specify Seam Allowance: Enter the seam allowance you'll be using (e.g., 0.5 inches for a standard 1/2″ seam).
  5. Consider Pattern Repeat: If your fabric has a pattern that needs matching, find its repeat measurement (often listed on the fabric bolt) and enter it. If not, leave it at 0.
  6. Add Extra Allowance: If you want a buffer for shrinkage, mistakes, or fussy cutting, add a few extra inches here.
  7. Calculate: Click the "Calculate Fabric Yardage" button to see your estimated total.

Example Calculation:

Let's say you want to make 4 placemats, each finishing at 18″ x 18″. You're using a standard 44″ wide quilting cotton, with a 1/2″ seam allowance, and no pattern repeat. You want to add 2 inches extra for safety.

  • Item Length: 18 inches
  • Item Width: 18 inches
  • Number of Items: 4
  • Fabric Width: 44 inches
  • Seam Allowance: 0.5 inches
  • Pattern Repeat: 0 inches
  • Extra Allowance: 2 inches

The calculator would determine that each piece needs to be 19″ x 19″ (18″ + 2 * 0.5″). With a 44″ wide fabric, you can cut two 19″ wide pieces side-by-side (19″ + 19″ = 38″, which fits within 44″). Since you need 4 pieces, this means you'll need 2 rows of cuts (4 pieces / 2 pieces per row = 2 rows). Each row will be 19″ long. So, 2 rows * 19″ per row = 38″ total length. Adding the 2″ extra, you need 40 inches of fabric. 40 inches / 36 inches per yard = 1.11 yards.

This calculator simplifies the process, helping you plan your projects more efficiently and avoid common fabric purchasing mistakes.

function calculateYardage() { var itemLength = parseFloat(document.getElementById('itemLength').value); var itemWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('itemWidth').value); var numItems = parseFloat(document.getElementById('numItems').value); var fabricWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fabricWidth').value); var seamAllowance = parseFloat(document.getElementById('seamAllowance').value); var patternRepeat = parseFloat(document.getElementById('patternRepeat').value); var extraAllowance = parseFloat(document.getElementById('extraAllowance').value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result'); // Input validation if (isNaN(itemLength) || itemLength <= 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Item Length (greater than 0)."; return; } if (isNaN(itemWidth) || itemWidth <= 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Item Width (greater than 0)."; return; } if (isNaN(numItems) || numItems <= 0 || !Number.isInteger(numItems)) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Number of Items (a whole number greater than 0)."; return; } if (isNaN(fabricWidth) || fabricWidth <= 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please select or enter a valid Fabric Width (greater than 0)."; return; } if (isNaN(seamAllowance) || seamAllowance < 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Seam Allowance (0 or greater)."; return; } if (isNaN(patternRepeat) || patternRepeat < 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Pattern Repeat (0 or greater)."; return; } if (isNaN(extraAllowance) || extraAllowance 0) { // Ensure each piece accommodates a full pattern repeat var numRepeatsPerPiece = Math.ceil(cutLength / patternRepeat); effectiveCutLength = numRepeatsPerPiece * patternRepeat; } // Determine how many pieces fit across the fabric width var piecesAcrossWidth = Math.floor(fabricWidth / cutWidth); if (piecesAcrossWidth === 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Error: Your item width (" + cutWidth.toFixed(2) + " inches including seam allowance) is wider than the fabric width (" + fabricWidth.toFixed(2) + " inches). You cannot cut this item from this fabric width without seaming."; return; } // Calculate total rows needed var totalRowsNeeded = Math.ceil(numItems / piecesAcrossWidth); // Calculate total length needed in inches var totalLengthInches = (totalRowsNeeded * effectiveCutLength) + extraAllowance; // Convert total length to yards var totalFabricYards = totalLengthInches / 36; resultDiv.innerHTML = "Total Fabric Needed: " + totalFabricYards.toFixed(2) + " yards"; resultDiv.innerHTML += "(Approximately " + totalLengthInches.toFixed(2) + " inches)"; }

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