The Universal Fabric Calculator

Plan your next sewing project with precision. Whether you measure in yards or meters, calculate exactly how much material you need for curtains, tie blankets, quilts, and apparel.

Features

  • Supports Metric & Imperial Units
  • Specific Calculations for Tie Blankets & Quilts
  • Industry-Standard Clothing Estimates
  • Automatic Unit Conversion Display

Disclaimer: These calculations are provided for estimation purposes only. They do not account for specific fabric flaws, directional prints (naps), complex pattern repeats, or significant shrinkage during pre-washing. Actual fabric bolt widths can also vary by manufacturer. We strongly recommend purchasing 10-15% extra material to accommodate these variables and cutting errors. Always consult your specific pattern instructions or a professional tailor before making a final purchase.

How to Use This Tool

  1. 1

    Select Your Project

    The calculation logic changes completely based on your project type. Choose Home Decor for Curtains or Tie Blankets, Quilting for mattress-based calculations, or Apparel for garments like Circle Skirts, Dresses, and Shirts. Each category uses different formulas optimized for that specific use case.

  2. 2

    Choose Your Measurement System

    Use the toggle at the top to select Imperial (Yards/Inches) or Metric (Meters/Centimeters). This automatically updates all input labels and calculations to match your preferred system. The results will display in your selected unit with a converted value shown below.

  3. 3

    Check Your Fabric Width

    This is the most critical step. Standard quilting cotton is typically 44 inches (110cm), while apparel fabric is often 60 inches (150cm). Fleece and specialty fabrics can be 72 inches (180cm) wide. Selecting the wrong width will result in incorrect calculations. Check your fabric bolt label or ask your supplier if unsure.

  4. 4

    Enter Your Dimensions

    For Quilts, simply select your mattress size (Twin, Full, Queen, King) and enter the drop length. For Curtains, enter your window width and length, plus the desired fullness factor. For Circle Skirts, enter waist measurement and desired length. For Clothing items like Dresses or Shirts, the tool uses industry-standard estimates based on garment type.

Stop Guessing at the Bolt: The Science of Fabric Estimation

Nothing derails a sewing project faster than running out of fabric mid-cut, or worse, discovering you've overbought expensive material by several yards. The frustration is real: you measure your window, estimate "about 3 yards," and end up either making an emergency trip to the fabric store or staring at leftover bolts that cost you $50 more than necessary. The problem is that fabric estimation isn't simple arithmetic—it's geometry. A 44-inch wide bolt requires completely different calculations than a 60-inch wide bolt for the same project. Add in fullness factors for curtains, drop lengths for quilts, and fringe allowances for tie blankets, and mental math becomes a recipe for costly mistakes.

This tool eliminates the guesswork by handling the complex mathematics behind fabric estimation. Whether you are calculating length for a complex Circle Skirt (where the radius and waist measurements create a unique geometric challenge), planning a Queen Size Quilt with precise drop measurements, or just making simple Curtains with fullness factors, this calculator accounts for the geometry so you don't have to. The built-in Imperial/Metric toggle ensures that whether you shop at a US fabric store (yards and inches) or an international supplier (meters and centimeters), you get accurate results in the units you need. Every calculation is performed locally in your browser, so your project measurements remain private.

Professional sewists know that the calculator's result is the minimum—not the final purchase amount. Always add a 10-15% buffer to your calculated length. This extra fabric accounts for three critical factors: shrinkage (pre-washing can reduce fabric dimensions by 3-5%), pattern matching (repeating prints require extra length to align motifs across seams), and cutting errors (especially important for directional fabrics or complex patterns). For projects like quilts or curtains where pattern matching is essential, consider buying 20% extra. That small investment prevents the heartbreak of a nearly-finished project that's one repeat short.