Width decides the length you buy
Fabric comes on a bolt at a fixed width — usually 45" for quilting cotton or 54 to 60" for home-decor cloth. If your project is wider than the bolt, you buy extra length and seam two panels side by side. That single fact is where most yardage mistakes come from.
Then total length = project length × widths needed, converted to yards at 36 inches to the yard, plus seam allowance and a shrinkage margin.
Yardage for common projects
| Project | 45" fabric | 54–60" fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Curtain panel, standard window | 3–4 yd | 2.5–3 yd |
| Tablecloth, 60" square | 2 yd | 1.5 yd |
| Standard pillowcase | 1 yd | 1 yd |
| Simple adult dress | 2–3 yd | 2–2.5 yd |
| A-line skirt | 1.5–2.25 yd | 1.5 yd |
| Throw quilt top (48"×60") | 3.5 yd | — |
Fabric is cut in quarter-yard steps, so round up to the next 0.25 yd. One yard is 0.9144 m — close enough to a metre for rough planning.
Wide fabric can be the cheaper choice
A 60"-wide bolt costs more per yard but often needs fewer yards, because your project fits in one or two widths instead of three. For a wide curtain the total can come out lower.
A 48"-wide, 84"-tall panel needs two seamed widths of 45" cloth but fits a single width of 60" — a yard less fabric and no centre seam.
Three things to add before you buy
- Seam and hem allowance. Add about 1" per edge — roughly 2" to each finished dimension, more for lined curtains.
- Pattern repeat. If a print has to match across a seam, add one full repeat (often 12–18") so the design lines up.
- Shrinkage. Add 3–5% for washable cotton or linen; skip it for upholstery and synthetics.
Common questions
How much fabric do I need for curtains?
For one standard window panel, plan on about 3 to 4 yards of 45-inch fabric, or 2.5 to 3 yards of 54 to 60-inch fabric. Add a full extra yard if the fabric has a pattern that has to line up.
What does "45-inch fabric" mean?
It is the width of the fabric on the bolt, edge to edge, not the length. If your project is wider than that, you buy more length so you can seam two or more widths side by side.
Should I add fabric for shrinkage?
Yes, if it will be washed. Add 3 to 5% for cotton and linen; synthetics barely shrink. Upholstery that never gets washed does not need the allowance.
