Enrichment · Arts and Creativity · Sewing

Buy enough fabric
the first time,
and not much more.

List the pieces you will cut and choose the fabric width. The calculator lays them across the fabric, adds an allowance for shrinkage and gives the yardage to ask for at the counter.

Work out yardageWhat you get

The yardage calculator

The worked example is a made-up lined tote bag cut from quilting cotton. Nothing you type leaves this browser.

Loading the calculator. If nothing appears, turn on JavaScript.

What you get

Enrichment · Arts & CreativityFree

What you finish with
The yardage to buy, rounded up to the next eighth of a yard, the cutting layout of each piece across the width, and how much of the fabric the pieces use. It prints as a summary and downloads as a spreadsheet.
Who it is for
Students who sew, family and consumer sciences classes, costume and theatre crews, and families making things at home.
Format
Browser calculator for a phone, tablet or computer, by touch or keyboard. Up to 30 kinds of piece. Prints a summary; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); export and import a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Arts & Creativity space in Caveat Enrichment.
Support
Questions, a correction or a request: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Choose the fabric width from the bolt end.
  2. Add each piece with its count and cut size, seam allowances included.
  3. Set the extra for shrinkage (10% is common for cotton).
  4. Read the yardage and the layout.
  5. Print the summary and take it to the fabric store.

Work out yardage

How the yardage is worked out

Rows across the width, then length.

The worked example: a lined toteOuter, 2 at 16 in wide18 in2 fit across 42 inAll pieces70 in18 + 18 + 24 + 10+ 10%77.0 in2.14 ydRound up2 1/4 ydto the next 1/8 ydThe worked example: a lined toteOuter, 2 at 16 in wide18 in2 fit across 42 inAll pieces70 in18 + 18 + 24 + 10+ 10%77.0 in2.14 ydRound up2 1/4 ydto the next 1/8 yd
Pieces that fit side by side across the width share one stretch of length; that is why the width of the fabric changes how much you buy.

The layout

Each kind of piece is laid with its length along the selvage. As many as fit across the usable width share a row; the number of rows is the count divided by that, rounded up; each row uses the piece's length. The rows' lengths add up, the allowance is added, and the total is divided by 36 inches and rounded up to the next eighth of a yard.

When to buy more

The layout keeps every piece on the straight grain and does not mix piece kinds in one row, so it errs on the generous side. Directional prints, napped fabrics and plaids or stripes that must match need extra, often one pattern repeat per matched seam. Prewash cotton and flannel before cutting; they can shrink 3 to 5% or more.

Sources

  1. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Handbook 44, appendix C: 1 yard = 36 inches (nist.gov).
  2. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Handbook 130, Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation: fabric sold by the linear yard.
  3. Cooperative Extension (land-grant universities). Sewing and clothing construction guides: grain, layout and fabric preparation (state extension services).
  4. Federal Trade Commission. Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel, 16 CFR part 423: care instructions and shrinkage (ftc.gov).

The worked example is made up. Usable widths vary by bolt; measure inside the selvages. Your pieces stay in this browser. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.