How to use

1. Select the garment type (dress, trousers, pencil skirt, circle skirt, shirt, hoodie, or coat).
2. Specify height and body size category (standard up to EU 50 / hips ≤ 104 cm, or plus size 52+).
3. Choose fabric bolt width (110 cm / 44 in, 140 cm / 55 in, 150 cm / 60 in, or 160 cm).
4. Enter desired garment length and sleeve length.
5. Add a safety percentage for fabric shrinkage, seam hems, and pattern matching (10–15% recommended).
6. Click calculate to review total linear yardage for main and lining textiles.

How Fabric Consumption is Calculated

Yardage requirements depend on far more than numeric dress size. Even for the same customer, fabric needs vary dramatically across silhouettes, lengths, gathers, and pockets:

• Customer Height: taller figures require greater vertical fabric length for skirts, pant legs, and sleeves.
• Body Measurements: for plus sizes (hips > 108 cm), front and back panels no longer fit side-by-side on standard 140–150 cm bolts.
• Garment Category: jackets, trousers, circle skirts, and shirts follow distinct cutting layouts.
• Bolt Width: 150 cm wide yardage allows more compact pattern interocking than narrow 110 cm bolts.
• Silhouette: full circle skirts and tiered maxi dresses require up to triple the fabric of a sheath dress.
• Nap and Pattern Matching: plaids, stripes, and directional velvet pile require one-way cutting with extra matching yardage.

Approximate Fabric Yardage Benchmarks

Below are typical estimates for standard 140–150 cm (55–60 in) fabric widths. Exact requirements depend on specific pattern dimensions:

• Pencil / Straight Skirt: 0.7–1.2 m (0.8–1.3 yds)
• Button-Up Shirt / Blouse: 1.5–2.2 m (1.6–2.4 yds)
• Tailored Trousers / Jeans: 1.2–2.0 m (1.3–2.2 yds)
• Simple Sheath Dress: 1.5–3.0 m (1.6–3.3 yds)
• Floor-Length Maxi Dress: 2.5–4.0+ m (2.7–4.4+ yds)
• Tailored Blazer / Jacket: 1.8–2.8 m (2.0–3.1 yds)
• Light Outerwear / Windbreaker: 2.0–3.0 m (2.2–3.3 yds)

Impact of Bolt Width on Yardage

Fabric bolt width fundamentally governs cutting layouts. Wider textiles frequently reduce linear yardage:

• Narrow (90–110 cm / 36–44 in): pattern pieces must be laid out end-to-end, maximizing linear meterage.
• Standard (140–150 cm / 55–60 in): optimal for most modern home sewing patterns (front and back panels fit side by side).
• Extra Wide (160+ cm / 63+ in): ideal for full-circle skirts, duvet covers, and drapery.

Allowances to Include Beyond Net Pattern Measurements

Always include an extra safety margin when purchasing fabric at retail stores:

• Pre-wash Shrinkage: natural fibers (cotton, linen, rayon, wool) shrink 5% to 10% during laundering.
• Plaid / Stripe Pattern Repeat: matching horizontal repeats requires 15–40 cm extra yardage.
• Collars, Cuffs, Facings, and Waistbands.
• Hem Turns and Wide Seam Allowances.
• Directional Pile: velour and corduroy require all pieces to point in the same nap direction.
• Cutting Insurance against slips or flaws in the bolt.

Calculation Methodology

For standard sizes on 140–150 cm bolts, base formula is: Garment Length + Sleeve Length + 30 cm for hem allowances and small parts. For sizes 52+, two full garment lengths are calculated.

To achieve 100% precision for expensive fabrics, perform a mock layout with actual paper pattern pieces prior to buying.