Sewing Fabric Cost Calculator

Why Fabric Math Trips People Up

Most fabric is sold by the yard, but patterns give requirements in decimal yards (1.5 yd) or fractions (1-1/2 yd). At the cutting counter, stores usually cut to the nearest 1/8 yard, so round up to the next 1/8 when in doubt. Buying an extra 1/4 yard for a $12/yd fabric costs $3 and saves a second trip if you cut short.

Pre-Washing and Shrinkage

Cotton and linen shrink. A fabric rated at 1.5 yards may measure noticeably less after a hot wash. The standard advice is to add 10% to your yardage requirement for pre-washed natural fibers. This calculator does not auto-add for shrinkage, so factor it in when you enter your yardage.

Lining Fabric

Lined garments require a separate yardage calculation. Lining fabric follows the same pattern pieces as the main fabric, but typically uses fewer or simplified pieces (no facings, no pockets). Many people use a different, less expensive fabric for lining. Enter both separately to get a full budget.

Tax and Final Cost

Sales tax on fabric varies by state and country. Some US states exempt fabric from sales tax as a crafting supply; others treat it the same as any goods. Enter your local rate if applicable.

Comparing Shops

This calculator is also useful for comparing cost across fabric stores or online suppliers. Run it twice with different price-per-yard values to see how much you save (or spend) choosing one source over another.

Practical Tip

Before buying, photograph the bolt label. It contains fabric content, width (usually 44/45 in or 58/60 in), care instructions, and the bolt number if you need to reorder the same dye lot later.