Fabric calculator
How much fabric do I need?
Tell us what you're making, your size and the fabric you've got your eye on. We'll work out how much to buy, rounded up to the half metre, with room for pattern matching and pre-washing.
Pattern in yards?
Lots of patterns, especially American ones, list fabric in yards. One yard is 91.44cm. Put the figure in and we'll convert it to what to order here.
Fabric quantities for common makes
What to buy for the most common makes in a plain cotton, pre-washed, at a UK size 12-14 (children's at age 5-7), with 5% spare, rounded up to the half metre.
| Make | 112cm wide | 140cm wide | 150cm wide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tops | |||
| T-shirt | 2m | 1.5m | 1.5m |
| Long-sleeve top | 2.5m | 2m | 2m |
| Blouse | 2.5m | 2m | 2m |
| Collared shirt | 3m | 2.5m | 2m |
| Dresses | |||
| Simple dress | 3.5m | 2.5m | 2.5m |
| Wrap or shirt dress | 3.5m | 3m | 3m |
| Maxi dress | 4.5m | 4m | 3.5m |
| Skirts | |||
| Straight skirt | 2m | 1.5m | 1.5m |
| A-line skirt | 2m | 2m | 2m |
| Gathered midi skirt | 3m | 2.5m | 2.5m |
| Circle skirt | 3.5m | 2.5m | 2m |
| Trousers | |||
| Shorts | 1.5m | 1.5m | 1.5m |
| Straight trousers | 3m | 2.5m | 2m |
| Wide-leg trousers | 3.5m | 3m | 3m |
| Jumpsuit | 4.5m | 3.5m | 3.5m |
| Jackets & coats | |||
| Unlined jacket | 3.5m | 3m | 3m |
| Knee-length coat | 4.5m | 4m | 3.5m |
| Nightwear | |||
| Pyjama set | 4m | 3.5m | 3m |
| Short pyjamas | 3m | 2.5m | 2m |
| Children | |||
| Child's dress | 2m | 1.5m | 1.5m |
| Child's top | 1m | 1m | 1m |
| Child's trousers | 1.5m | 1m | 1m |
Going up a size or two, choosing a check or a one-way print, or standing taller than 5'8" all add length. Use the calculator above for your exact make.
How it's worked out
Every make starts from a typical length at a UK size 12-14, taken from standard pattern fabric charts at 112cm and 150cm wide. Widths in between are worked out along the way, and anything narrower or wider scales in proportion.
We then adjust for your size and height, add length to match stripes, checks and one-way prints (or one repeat per main piece if you give us the repeat), add back what the fibre loses in its first wash, and put a little spare on top. The total is rounded up to the next half metre, because that's how we sell and cut it.
Before you order
Pre-wash natural fibres
Unless a fabric says otherwise, assume it isn't pre-shrunk. Cotton, linen and viscose can shrink 3-6% the first time, so wash and dry it the way you'll wash the finished piece before you cut.
Check the width first
A maxi dress can need a whole metre more in 112cm fabric than in 150cm. The width is listed on every fabric page, so check it before you order.
Buy it all at once
We cut each order from one roll, so it's all one dye lot. A second order later might come from a different roll and not quite match, so if you're unsure, round up rather than coming back for more.
Not sure about a colour?
Order a sample first and see it in daylight before you commit to the full length. Most of our fabrics have one.
