Use this calculator to estimate the total fabric yardage and cost needed for your sewing or upholstery project. Enter your project dimensions, fabric details, and desired allowances.
Understanding Fabric Material Calculation
Whether you're a seasoned seamstress or a DIY enthusiast, accurately calculating fabric yardage is crucial for any project. Running out of fabric mid-project can be frustrating and costly, especially if you're working with a specific dye lot or a discontinued pattern. This calculator helps you determine the precise amount of fabric you'll need, accounting for all critical factors.
Key Measurements for Your Project
Finished Project Length (inches): This is the final desired length of your item, such as the length of a curtain panel from top to bottom, or the length of a cushion cover.
Finished Project Width (inches): This is the final desired width of your item, like the width of a curtain panel or a cushion cover.
Number of Identical Pieces: If you're making multiple identical items (e.g., two curtain panels, four placemats), enter that quantity here.
Fabric Specifics
Fabric Bolt Width (inches): Fabrics come in various standard widths, commonly 44/45 inches, 54 inches, or 60 inches. This measurement is vital because it determines how many pieces of your project can be cut across the width of the fabric, or if you need to seam multiple fabric widths together for wider items.
Vertical Pattern Repeat (inches, 0 if none): If your fabric has a repeating pattern, you'll need extra fabric to ensure the pattern matches seamlessly across multiple pieces or panels. This calculator accounts for the vertical repeat. Enter '0' if your fabric is solid, a random print, or doesn't require pattern matching.
Allowances and Hems
Total Top & Bottom Hem/Allowance (inches): This input should be the sum of all fabric needed for the top and bottom edges. For example, if you plan a 3-inch double-fold hem at the top (which consumes 6 inches of fabric) and a 3-inch double-fold hem at the bottom (another 6 inches), you would enter 12 inches here.
Total Side Hem/Allowance (inches, per side): This is the extra fabric needed for each side hem. For example, if you want a 1-inch double-fold hem on both sides, you'd need 2 inches of fabric for each side. The calculator will automatically account for both sides by multiplying this value by two.
Contingency and Cost
Waste/Contingency Factor (%): It's always a good idea to add a little extra fabric for cutting errors, pattern placement adjustments, or future repairs. A 10-15% waste factor is common.
Fabric Price Per Yard ($): If you know the cost of your fabric per yard, the calculator can also estimate the total material cost for your project.
How the Calculator Works
The calculator first determines the effective length and width required for each project piece, incorporating your desired hems and allowances. It then adjusts the length for any pattern repeats to ensure proper matching. Next, it figures out how many "panels" (cuts across the fabric width) are needed for each project piece, based on the fabric's bolt width. Finally, it sums up the total raw fabric length, adds your specified waste factor, and converts the total to yards, rounded up to the nearest quarter yard for practical purchasing. If a price is provided, it calculates the total material cost.
Tips for Buying Fabric
Always Round Up: It's better to have a little extra fabric than not enough. Our calculator rounds up to the nearest quarter yard.
Check Dye Lots: If you need multiple bolts of the same fabric, try to buy them all at once to ensure they come from the same dye lot, preventing color variations.
Consider Shrinkage: Pre-wash and dry your fabric before cutting, especially if it's a natural fiber, to account for any shrinkage.
Ask for a Swatch: If you're unsure about a fabric, get a small swatch to test its drape, color, and how it handles before committing to a large purchase.
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function calculateFabric() {
// Get input values
var projectLength = parseFloat(document.getElementById('projectLength').value);
var projectWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('projectWidth').value);
var numPieces = parseFloat(document.getElementById('numPieces').value);
var fabricWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fabricWidth').value);
var patternRepeat = parseFloat(document.getElementById('patternRepeat').value);
var topBottomHem = parseFloat(document.getElementById('topBottomHem').value);
var sideHem = parseFloat(document.getElementById('sideHem').value);
var wasteFactor = parseFloat(document.getElementById('wasteFactor').value);
var fabricPricePerYard = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fabricPricePerYard').value);
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(projectLength) || isNaN(projectWidth) || isNaN(numPieces) || isNaN(fabricWidth) ||
projectLength <= 0 || projectWidth <= 0 || numPieces <= 0 || fabricWidth <= 0) {
document.getElementById('fabricResult').innerHTML = 'Please enter valid positive numbers for Project Length, Project Width, Number of Pieces, and Fabric Bolt Width.';
return;
}
if (isNaN(patternRepeat) || isNaN(topBottomHem) || isNaN(sideHem) || isNaN(wasteFactor) ||
patternRepeat < 0 || topBottomHem < 0 || sideHem < 0 || wasteFactor 0) {
var numRepeats = Math.ceil(lengthNeededForPiece / patternRepeat);
lengthNeededForPiece = numRepeats * patternRepeat;
}
// Step 2: Calculate effective width per piece, including side hems.
var widthNeededForPiece = projectWidth + (2 * sideHem); // 2 * sideHem because it's for both sides
// Step 3: Determine how many fabric widths (panels) are needed per project piece.
var numFabricPanelsPerPiece = Math.ceil(widthNeededForPiece / fabricWidth);
if (numFabricPanelsPerPiece === 0) { // This case should ideally not be reached if widthNeededForPiece > 0 and fabricWidth > 0
numFabricPanelsPerPiece = 1; // Ensure at least one panel is always calculated
}
// Step 4: Calculate total raw fabric length in inches.
var rawFabricLengthInches = lengthNeededForPiece * numFabricPanelsPerPiece * numPieces;
// Step 5: Add waste factor.
var fabricLengthWithWasteInches = rawFabricLengthInches * (1 + wasteFactor / 100);
// Step 6: Convert to yards and round up to the nearest quarter yard.
var totalFabricYards = fabricLengthWithWasteInches / 36;
var roundedFabricYards = Math.ceil(totalFabricYards * 4) / 4; // Round up to nearest 0.25 yard
// Step 7: Calculate total cost.
var totalCost = 0;
if (!isNaN(fabricPricePerYard) && fabricPricePerYard >= 0) {
totalCost = roundedFabricYards * fabricPricePerYard;
}
// Display results
var resultHtml = '
Calculation Results:
';
resultHtml += 'Total Fabric Needed: ' + roundedFabricYards.toFixed(2) + ' yards';
if (!isNaN(fabricPricePerYard) && fabricPricePerYard >= 0) {
resultHtml += 'Estimated Material Cost: $' + totalCost.toFixed(2) + ";
} else {
resultHtml += 'Enter a fabric price to calculate estimated cost.';
}
resultHtml += '(Rounded up to the nearest quarter yard)';
document.getElementById('fabricResult').innerHTML = resultHtml;
}