Dressmaking
Fabric quantity estimator
Takes the length printed on the pattern envelope and applies the three things that figure assumes away: a directional fabric, a repeat to match, and lengthening the garment.
The question this answers: “The envelope says 2.2 metres — is that enough for this fabric?”
Result
- Buy this much
- 2.20m
- At 150cm width. Rounded up to the next 10cm.
- Calculated requirement
- 220cm
- Plain fabric — pieces can be interlocked either way up
Worth knowing about this answer
- Buy it all at once, in one cut from one bolt. Fabric from a different bolt or dye lot rarely matches, and a shortage found mid-cut cannot be fixed.
Show the working
- Pattern length plus adjustment
220cm + 0cm220cm - Layout allowance
220cm × 1220cm - Rounded up to a buyable length
220cm → next 10cm220cm
Buy this much: 2.20m. Calculated requirement: 220cm
The envelope length plus any lengthening, multiplied by a layout allowance, rounded up to the next 10cm. Directional fabrics and large repeats get different multipliers because they fail for different reasons — one loses the interlocked layout, the other has to be matched across seams.
- The pattern envelope figure is correct for your size at the stated width. This tool adjusts that figure; it does not replace it.
- The layout allowances are conventional trade figures rather than measurements of a specific layout.
- Where an envelope states a separate “with nap” length, prefer it — it is calculated for that actual layout.
- Rounding is always upward. Running short cannot be fixed, because the next bolt is a different dye lot.
Runs entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent anywhere. Last reviewed 2026-08-14. More on Dressmaking.