Fabric Yardage Calculator

Yardage from finished measurements for a garment, adding seam allowance, hem, layout waste and pattern repeat matching.

Garment type

Included so the result can be compared with the usual yardage figure for this garment. The measurements below are what drive the maths.

Fabric width (bolt width)

The two bolt widths almost all apparel fabric is sold in.

Chest, bust or hip (full circumference) in

Measure the fullest part and add the ease the design needs, usually 2 to 4 in on a woven garment. For a skirt or trousers use the hip, which is where the fit is decided.

Finished garment length in

Shoulder to hem on a dress, waist to hem on a skirt, waist to ankle on trousers.

Sleeve length from shoulder seam in

Leave at zero for a sleeveless garment.

Body panel pieces to cut pieces

A front and a back cut as two pairs on the fold is 4. A simple skirt is 2 plus a waistband.

Sleeve pieces to cut pieces

Two sleeves cut as a pair from folded fabric is 4. Use 2 if you cut them flat and separately.

Seam allowance in

0.625 for 5/8 in, 0.5 for 1/2 in. A commercial pattern already includes its allowance in the printed cutting line, so enter the allowance the pattern assumes.

Hem allowance in

A dress hem is usually 2 to 3 in, a shirt hem 1 to 1.5 in.

Pattern repeat, if the print has one in

Measure the vertical distance between two identical points in the print. Leave at zero for a plain or a small all over print.

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Free calculator by Handcraft worked examples and methodology No account, nothing stored.