Definition
Pattern repeat
The distance before a printed or woven design repeats along a length of fabric. When you cut several panels from a patterned fabric, you need extra length so the pattern can be matched where the panels meet.
A large repeat can add a whole extra repeat of length to every panel, which is why patterned curtains and upholstery cost considerably more fabric than plain ones.
Tools that use this term
Curtain Fabric Calculator
Work out how much fabric curtains need from the window width, the fullness ratio, the drop and the pattern repeat.
Fabric Calculator
Work out how much fabric to buy for a project from its finished size, the seam allowance you are cutting and the width of the bolt you are buying.
Fabric Yardage Calculator
Yardage from finished measurements for a garment, adding seam allowance, hem, layout waste and pattern repeat matching.