How Much fabric do I need?
How much fabric do you need for your project? There are many considerations.
For drapes, valances, cornices and shades that depends on how the window treatment is used in relation to the window covering. Is it inside mount or outside mount - i.e. it depends on the face width (what you see) and that translates to finished width ( the actual width of the treatment) and how high it is hung to how low it goes (finished length). All calculations should include hems (double hems and seams). There is a calculation to convert the facewidth to finished width and depends on how full you want your treatment to look. And, quite importantly the pattern and repeat should always figure in your calculation. Bigger repeats require more fabric because visually different panels should all align with each other to create a seamless flow across panels and fabric that have been pieced together.
Curtains and Drapes
This question is best answered by your design professional. There are many factors associated with the calculation. Simple/plain fabrics take the least amount of fabric, fabrics that have patterns (esp the larger ones take upto 25% more) take larger amounts. You should figure fabric to include hems and pattern matching.
Curtains are typically made with a fullness factor of 2.5. So figure 2.5 times whatever your finished look is. Typically the calculation works out to about 3 yards or so of fabric for 20" of window covering width.
Make sure that you figure fabric for the lining and/or interlining if you are choosing to use these. These are almost the same amount of fabric as the front face.
Valances and Cornices
The amount of fabric you will need for a valance will depend on the size of your window and the type of valance you plan to make.
- Measure the width of your window. This is the measurement that will determine how much fabric you will need.
- Measure the length of the valance you want. The length of the valance can vary, depending on the style you want to achieve, but typically it ranges between 12-18 inches.
- Add extra fabric for hemming. You will need to hem the top and bottom of the valance, so you will need an extra inch or two of fabric for this.
- To calculate the fabric needed, you can use this formula:
width of window + (2x hemming) x length of valance - Keep in mind that if you want to create a more full or ruffled look, you will need more fabric than for a sleek, simple valance.
- If you're using a patterned fabric, make sure to factor in the repeat of the pattern when calculating the fabric needed.
It is always recommended to buy extra fabric to make sure you have enough to complete the project, and to account for any mistakes or mis-measurements.
Roman Shades
Coming Soon
Pillows
A width of fabric is typically 54" and should accomodate two pillows of 26" in width for a knife edge pillow.
Plain fabric - you can get 1 pillow up to 22" in 3/4 of a yard of fabric. For patterned fabric the calculation is involved as it depends on where you want the design to be centered on the pillow.
Remember the calculations above are only for plain/ knife edge pillows. If self welting is required you will have to figure an additional yard of fabric for pillows so that the welt can be created from a bias tape that is cut on a diagonal (more than one pillow can be self welted with this one yard of fabric). Ask your design professional on how much you might need if you are making many pillows.
Furniture
There are so many configuration of chairs and sofas that this is quite difficult. There are many charts available online. A representative guide is shown to get you going. Note that.. More fabric will be needed if your piece has a skirt or has patterns. Bigger patterns will require a lot more fabric. Be sure that you understand that the fabric requirement will be different if the fabric is railroaded.
Fabric for Chairs
The amount of fabric you will need for a club chair will depend on the size of the chair and the type of fabric you are using.
Measure the width, depth, and height of the chair. This will give you the dimensions of the fabric pieces you will need to create the slipcover.
Measure the distance around the chair. This is called the "circumference" and is necessary to calculate the amount of fabric you will need for the sides and back of the chair.
Add extra fabric for seams and hemming. Most fabrics have a width of 54-60 inches, so you will need to plan for seams if your chair's circumference is greater than this.
To calculate the fabric needed, you can use these formulas:
- For the seat cushion: width x depth
- For the back cushion: width x height
- For the sides and back: circumference x height (this will give you an estimate of the fabric needed, but you can adjust as you see fit) Keep in mind that the amount of fabric needed also depends on the type of fabric you're using. Heavier fabrics will require more fabric than lighter fabrics.
It is always recommended to buy extra fabric to make sure you have enough to complete the project, and to account for any mistakes or mis-measurements.
Bedding
Duvets
Comforters
Coverlets
Bedspreads
Skirts
Comforters
Comforters cover the mattress, but not the box spring. Comforters are fluffier, heavier and warmer than bedspreads or coverlets because the top and bottom fabrics are quilted together with batting in the middle. Most often, a comforter is used with a dust ruffle to decoratively cover the box spring and hand to the floor.
| MATTRESS | TWIN (39 X 75) | FULL / DOUBLE (54 X 75) | QUEEN (60 X 80) | KING (78 X 80) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comforter Size | 70" x 90" | 86" x 90" | 92" x 96" | 110" x 96" |
| Fabric Needed (no repeat) |
7.5 yds | 7.5 yds | 8 yds | 10.5 yds |
| Fabric Needed (27" repeat) |
7.5 yds | 7.5 yds | 7.5 yds | 12 yds |
| 54" fabric, 15" drop, extra 12" for quilting.● Fabric estimate is for one side only.● Lining or fabric on reverse side is the same. | ||||
Duvet Covers
Duvet Covers are used to decorate and protect filled comforters and blankets. They work like giant pillow cases and usually have a button or tie enclosure at one end.
| MATTRESS | TWIN (39 X 75) | FULL / DOUBLE (54 X 75) | QUEEN (60 X 80) | KING (78 X 80) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duvet Size | 69" x 90" | 86" x 90" | 90" x 96" | 108" x 96" |
| Fabric per side (no repeat) |
6 yds | 6 yds | 6 yds | 6 yds |
| Fabric per side (27" repeat) |
6 yds | 6 yds | 6 yds | 6 yds |
| 54" fabric, 15" drop.● Fabric estimate is for one side only.● Lining or fabric on reverse side is the same. | ||||
Quilted Bedspread
Bedspreads cover the entire bed by folding over the bed pillows and hanging all the way to the floor.
| MATTRESS | TWIN (39 X 75) | FULL / DOUBLE (54 X 75) | QUEEN (60 X 80) | KING (78 X 80) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedspread Size | 80" x 110" | 96" x 110" | 102" x 122" | 120" x 122" |
| Fabric Needed (no repeat) |
7.5 yds | 11.5 yds | 12 yds | 12 yds |
| Fabric Needed (27" repeat) |
8 yds | 12 yds | 13.5 yds | 13.5 yds |
Coverlets
Coverlets are similar to comforters in that on the sides they cover the top of the mattress only. They do however, cover the bed pillows like a bedspread does. Coverlets are typically lighter weight than a comforter or bedspread.
| MATTRESS | TWIN (39 X 75) | FULL / DOUBLE (54 X 75) | QUEEN (60 X 80) | KING (78 X 80) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverlet Size | 69" x 117" | 86" x 117" | 90" x 122" | 108" x 122" |
| Fabric Needed (no repeat) |
7.5 yds | 7.5 yds | 7.5 yds | 11.5 yds |
| Fabric Needed (27" repeat) |
8 yds | 8 yds | 8 yds | 12 yds |
BEDCOVERING ESTIMATES |
||||
SIZE |
DUVET COVER |
COMFORTER |
BEDSPREAD |
|
| Twin | 6 yards per side | 6 yards | 8 yards | |
| Full | 6 yards per side | 6 yards | 8 yards | |
| Queen | 6 yards per side | 6 yards | 12 yards | |
| King | 9 yards per side | 9 yards | 12 yards | |
SIZE |
DUST RUFFLE
|
DUST RUFFLE
|
DUST RUFFLE
|
|
| Twin | 4 yards | 7.25 yards | 7.25 yards | |
| Full | 5 yards | 7.75 yards | 7.75 yards | |
| Queen | 5 yards | 8.5 yards | 8.5 yards | |
| King | 6 yards | 9 yards | 9 yards | |
SIZE |
PILLOW SHAM - TAILORED |
PILLOW SHAM - RUFFLED |
PILLOW SHAM - FLANGED |
|
| Standard | 2 yards | 3 yards | 2 yards | |
| Queen | 2 yards | 3 yards | 2 yards | |
| King | 2 yards | 3.25 yards | 2 yards | |
Tables
ROUND TABLECLOTHS |
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TABLE TOP DIAMETER |
30” DROP - FABRIC |
30” DROP - TRIM |
10” DROP - FABRIC |
10” DROP - TRIM |
| 30” | 5 yds | 8 yds | 1.5 yds | 4.5 yds |
| 36” | 5.5 yds | 8.5 yds | 3.25 yds | 5 yds |
| 48” | 6 yds | 9.5 yds | 4 yds | 6 yds |
| 54” | 9.5 yds | 10 yds | 4.25 yds | 6.5 yds |
| 60” | 10 yds | 10.5 yds | 4.5 yds | 7 yds |
| 66” | 10.5 yds | 11 yds | 5 yds | 7.5 yds |
| 72” | 11 yds | 11.5 yds | 5.25 yds | 8 yds |
|
Yardages are figured for a standard top of 30" and for solid color fabrics requiring no matching. If the fabric has a pattern to be matched, add one repeat for each length of fabric. |
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