.cloth-calculator-container {
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
max-width: 700px;
margin: 20px auto;
padding: 25px;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
border-radius: 10px;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
}
.cloth-calculator-container h2 {
text-align: center;
color: #333;
margin-bottom: 25px;
font-size: 1.8em;
}
.cloth-calculator-container .input-group {
margin-bottom: 18px;
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
align-items: center;
gap: 10px;
}
.cloth-calculator-container .input-group label {
flex: 1 1 180px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #555;
font-size: 0.95em;
}
.cloth-calculator-container .input-group input[type="number"],
.cloth-calculator-container .input-group select {
flex: 2 1 250px;
padding: 10px 12px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 5px;
font-size: 1em;
box-sizing: border-box;
transition: border-color 0.3s ease;
}
.cloth-calculator-container .input-group input[type="number"]:focus,
.cloth-calculator-container .input-group select:focus {
border-color: #007bff;
outline: none;
box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0, 123, 255, 0.2);
}
.cloth-calculator-container button {
display: block;
width: 100%;
padding: 12px 20px;
background-color: #007bff;
color: white;
border: none;
border-radius: 5px;
font-size: 1.1em;
font-weight: bold;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.2s ease;
margin-top: 25px;
}
.cloth-calculator-container button:hover {
background-color: #0056b3;
transform: translateY(-2px);
}
.cloth-calculator-container .result-section {
margin-top: 30px;
padding: 20px;
background-color: #e9f7ff;
border: 1px solid #b3e0ff;
border-radius: 8px;
text-align: center;
font-size: 1.1em;
color: #333;
}
.cloth-calculator-container .result-section p {
margin: 8px 0;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.cloth-calculator-container .result-section p strong {
color: #0056b3;
font-size: 1.2em;
}
.cloth-calculator-container .error-message {
color: #dc3545;
font-weight: bold;
margin-top: 15px;
text-align: center;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.cloth-calculator-container {
padding: 15px;
}
.cloth-calculator-container .input-group {
flex-direction: column;
align-items: stretch;
}
.cloth-calculator-container .input-group label,
.cloth-calculator-container .input-group input[type="number"],
.cloth-calculator-container .input-group select {
flex: none;
width: 100%;
}
}
function updateUnitLabels() {
var unitSystem = document.getElementById("unitSystem").value;
var lengthUnit = (unitSystem === "imperial") ? "inches" : "cm";
var totalUnit = (unitSystem === "imperial") ? "yards" : "meters";
var priceUnit = (unitSystem === "imperial") ? "Yard" : "Meter";
document.getElementById("panelLengthUnit").innerText = lengthUnit;
document.getElementById("panelWidthUnit").innerText = lengthUnit;
document.getElementById("fabricWidthUnit").innerText = lengthUnit;
document.getElementById("seamAllowanceUnit").innerText = lengthUnit;
document.getElementById("patternRepeatUnit").innerText = lengthUnit;
document.getElementById("priceUnitLabel").innerText = priceUnit;
// Clear results when units change
document.getElementById("fabricResult").style.display = "none";
document.getElementById("fabricError").style.display = "none";
}
function calculateFabric() {
var panelLength = parseFloat(document.getElementById("panelLength").value);
var panelWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById("panelWidth").value);
var numPanels = parseInt(document.getElementById("numPanels").value);
var fabricWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById("fabricWidth").value);
var seamAllowance = parseFloat(document.getElementById("seamAllowance").value);
var patternRepeat = parseFloat(document.getElementById("patternRepeat").value);
var extraBuffer = parseFloat(document.getElementById("extraBuffer").value);
var pricePerUnit = parseFloat(document.getElementById("pricePerUnit").value);
var unitSystem = document.getElementById("unitSystem").value;
document.getElementById("fabricResult").style.display = "none";
document.getElementById("fabricError").style.display = "none";
document.getElementById("fabricError").innerText = "";
// Input validation
if (isNaN(panelLength) || panelLength <= 0 ||
isNaN(panelWidth) || panelWidth <= 0 ||
isNaN(numPanels) || numPanels <= 0 ||
isNaN(fabricWidth) || fabricWidth <= 0 ||
isNaN(seamAllowance) || seamAllowance < 0 ||
isNaN(patternRepeat) || patternRepeat < 0 ||
isNaN(extraBuffer) || extraBuffer < 0 ||
isNaN(pricePerUnit) || pricePerUnit fabricWidth) {
document.getElementById("fabricError").innerText = "Error: Your panel width (including seam allowance) is wider than the fabric width. Please adjust dimensions or choose wider fabric.";
document.getElementById("fabricError").style.display = "block";
return;
}
// 2. Calculate Length per Cut (considering pattern repeat)
var lengthPerCut = adjustedPanelLength;
if (patternRepeat > 0) {
var numRepeats = Math.ceil(adjustedPanelLength / patternRepeat);
lengthPerCut = numRepeats * patternRepeat;
}
// 3. Determine How Many Panels Fit Across Fabric Width
var panelsAcrossWidth = Math.floor(fabricWidth / adjustedPanelWidth);
if (panelsAcrossWidth < 1) { // Should be caught by the earlier check, but good for robustness
document.getElementById("fabricError").innerText = "Error: No panels can fit across the fabric width. This should not happen with current logic, please check inputs.";
document.getElementById("fabricError").style.display = "block";
return;
}
// 4. Calculate Total Number of Rows/Lengths Needed
var numRows = Math.ceil(numPanels / panelsAcrossWidth);
// 5. Calculate Total Raw Fabric Length (in base units)
var totalRawLength = numRows * lengthPerCut;
// 6. Apply Extra Buffer
var finalRawLength = totalRawLength * (1 + (extraBuffer / 100));
// 7. Convert to Display Units (Yards or Meters)
var totalDisplayUnits;
var displayUnitLabel;
var conversionFactor;
if (unitSystem === "imperial") {
conversionFactor = 36; // inches to yards
totalDisplayUnits = finalRawLength / conversionFactor;
displayUnitLabel = "yards";
} else { // metric
conversionFactor = 100; // cm to meters
totalDisplayUnits = finalRawLength / conversionFactor;
displayUnitLabel = "meters";
}
// 8. Calculate Total Cost
var totalCost = totalDisplayUnits * pricePerUnit;
// Display results
document.getElementById("totalFabricOutput").innerText = totalDisplayUnits.toFixed(2) + " " + displayUnitLabel;
document.getElementById("totalCostOutput").innerText = "$" + totalCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("fabricResult").style.display = "block";
}
// Initialize unit labels on page load
window.onload = updateUnitLabels;
Fabric Quantity & Cost Calculator
Imperial (Inches/Yards)
Metric (CM/Meters)
Total Fabric Needed:
Estimated Total Cost:
Understanding the Fabric Quantity & Cost Calculator
Whether you're a seasoned seamstress, a budding crafter, or planning a home decor project, accurately estimating fabric needs is crucial. Buying too little means delays and potential color/dye lot mismatches, while buying too much can be a costly waste. Our Fabric Quantity & Cost Calculator helps you determine precisely how much material you'll need and its estimated cost, taking into account all the critical factors.
How Fabric Calculation Works
Calculating fabric isn't just about the length of your finished item. Several variables come into play:
- Finished Item Dimensions: The final length and width of each piece you intend to create (e.g., a curtain panel, a dress front, a cushion cover).
- Number of Items: How many identical pieces you need to make.
- Fabric Width: Fabric comes in various standard widths (e.g., 45 inches, 54 inches, 60 inches, or 112 cm, 140 cm, 150 cm). This is critical because it determines how many pieces can be cut side-by-side across the fabric.
- Seam and Hem Allowances: Nearly every sewing project requires extra fabric for seams, hems, and finishing edges. Forgetting this can leave you short!
- Pattern Repeat: If your fabric has a repeating design (like florals, stripes, or geometric patterns), you'll need extra length to ensure the pattern aligns correctly across multiple pieces. This is often the most overlooked factor.
- Extra Buffer: It's always wise to add a small percentage for cutting errors, shrinkage, or future repairs.
Using the Fabric Quantity & Cost Calculator
Our calculator simplifies this complex process. Here's a breakdown of each input:
- Measurement System: Choose between Imperial (Inches/Yards) or Metric (CM/Meters) to match your project and fabric measurements.
- Finished Panel Length: Enter the desired final length of one individual piece you are making.
- Finished Panel Width: Enter the desired final width of one individual piece.
- Number of Panels/Pieces: Specify how many of these identical pieces you need.
- Fabric Width: Input the width of the fabric you plan to purchase. This is usually printed on the bolt or listed by the retailer.
- Seam/Hem Allowance: Enter the total allowance you need for all seams and hems on one piece. For example, if you need 1 inch for the top hem, 1 inch for the bottom hem, and 0.5 inches for each side seam, you might enter 2 inches for length and 1 inch for width. The calculator adds this to both ends/sides.
- Pattern Repeat Length: If your fabric has a pattern that needs to be matched, enter the length of one full pattern repeat. If there's no pattern or it doesn't need matching, enter 0.
- Extra Fabric Buffer (%): Add a percentage (e.g., 10%) to account for potential mistakes, shrinkage, or future adjustments.
- Price per Yard/Meter ($): Enter the cost of the fabric per yard (if Imperial) or per meter (if Metric) to get an estimated total cost.
Example Scenario: Making Curtains
Let's say you want to make 4 curtain panels. Each finished panel needs to be 80 inches long and 40 inches wide. You found a beautiful fabric that is 54 inches wide, has a 18-inch pattern repeat, and costs $15 per yard. You plan for a 1-inch seam allowance all around and want a 10% buffer.
- Finished Panel Length: 80 inches
- Finished Panel Width: 40 inches
- Number of Panels/Pieces: 4
- Fabric Width: 54 inches
- Seam/Hem Allowance: 1 inch
- Pattern Repeat Length: 18 inches
- Extra Fabric Buffer (%): 10%
- Price per Yard ($): 15
Based on these inputs, the calculator will determine that you need approximately 11.00 yards of fabric, costing an estimated $165.00. This accounts for the pattern repeat, seam allowances, and ensures you have enough fabric to cut all four panels efficiently from the 54-inch wide bolt.
Using this calculator will help you plan your projects more effectively, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure you have just the right amount of fabric for your creative endeavors!