Fabric Yardage Formula

To find how much fabric a set of pattern pieces needs, work out how many pieces fit across the fabric width, then how long the layout runs.

Yards = (P × L) ÷ (36 × A)

What the terms mean

Symbol Meaning
Yards Fabric length needed
P Number of pieces
L Piece length, in inches
A Pieces that fit across the width
36 Inches per yard

Worked example

Eight pieces 18 in long, 3 fitting across a 44 in fabric: (8 × 18) ÷ (36 × 3) = 1.33 yards.

Add for safety. Add 10 to 15% for shrinkage, pattern matching, and cutting errors. Directional or plaid fabric needs more.

See the Fabric Yardage Calculator and the Fabric Width Chart.

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