Estimate Yardage

How much yardage do I need? Whether you are making apparel or sewing for home, there are several quick ways to give you a ballpark on the yardage needed.

Estimate Yardage For Garments

1.Find the fabric you like and make sure it is suitable for your project

2. Determine width of fabric.

3. Determine length of garment pieces, ie body, sleeve, pant, hood.

4. For clothing, we figure how many lengths needed to complete the garment to estimate yardage. If fabric is 60" wide and you are making a long sleeve blouse, we would say one body length and one sleeve length. If fabric is 45" wide then we would ask if 45" gives enough width with ease and seam allowance, and it usually doesn't, so we suggest 2 body lengths and a sleeve length. Facings can fit beside the 2nd body length. Pants on 45" always take 2 full body lengths, but on 54" and 60" it really does vary on person size and on fullness of cut of pant.

   
   

5. Don't forget if the pattern has matching you want to allow at least one extra pattern repeat for each length.

Estimate Yardage For Drapery Panels ( not pinch pleat, which take more)

1. Find the fabric that is the right thickness and look for your room.

2. Most home fabrics are 54" wide, unless looking at double wide fabrics, which we will discuss further in this post.

3. Determine vertical and horizontal repeats.

4. Measure windows or openings that will be covered. Also a good idea to determine if they are going to be functional or just stationary when you estimate yardage.

   For functional window treatments you need at least 1.5 to 2 times the fullness so that there is some fullness when the window treatments are closed. One traditional panel length on a standard window is usually 3 yds and requires a 54" panel of width on each side of window. So a functioning window in standard size would take 2 panels x 3 yds=6 yds

5. NOW pattern repeat. If the pattern is 12" vertical it divides evenly into the 108"(3 yd cut) so you don't need to allow extra for matching, but I would always suggest allowing a little. If the vertical repeat is 25", it doesn't fall evenly into 108". Divide the 108" by 25" and get 4.32 repeats. To get to next repeat you need to buy 25" x 5=125". You would need to buy 125" for every other panel in that room as well. Let's say you have 3 windows that are standard width. You need 108" for first panel and then 125" for

   each matching piece. I find it easier to just assume 125" for each of the 6 cuts=750" divided by 36"=20.83 yds.

6. Math too confusing- CALL US and we can help you figure it out.

7. Double Wide Sheers are traditionally run railroaded. What does that mean? It means one selvage is the hem and the other is the top header. The length of a double wide can vary from 114" to 120" and that is usually sufficient length to go from floor to ceiling. By running the double wide this way, you buy for fullness across the window and have zero seams! Usually 2 to 3 times fullness on a sheer to make the window look rich. Fullness also depends on thickness of fabric, stationary/functional, how much light to block, existence of panels on outer edge of window.

   

Estimate Yardage For Roman Shades

1. Inside mount or outside mount?

2. Measure width and length.

   Most roman shades require 2 yds of fabric on a standard window. If there is matching repeat, always a good idea to buy an extra repeat for each window for matching.