Your project instructions call for two yards of 60″ wide fabric, but the fabric you want to use is 45″ wide. Hmmm… attempting to dredge up that old math lesson in proportions is probably not going to happen on the fly. Instead, print out our handy conversion chart for those times you don’t have a pattern envelope with a yardage conversion table.
Remember, these are general estimates. If your fabric has a big motif, a large repeat or is directional, it’s best to buy extra. When working with large repeats, the rule of thumb is to buy the pattern’s suggested amount of fabric plus enough extra to cover one full repeat.
Other extra-fabric situations include if you are cutting fabric on the bias or if your pattern includes extensive fussy cutting for matching pockets and the like.
When in doubt, add an extra ½ yard. It’s always better to have a bit more than not enough. Popular fabrics can sell-out in the blink of an eye. It’s best to get a bit more than you need when it’s readily available.
For a mini version, check out our Cheat Card Series.
Sew4Home Fabric Yardage Conversion Chart in Adobe Acrobat format (36KB)
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I need help. I have a large piece of fabric 60” wide x 144” long. I need to cut one long piece 4” wide x 126” long for a side panel for my pillow. How would be the best method to use?
Hi Heather — Well … I guess it depends on what you’d like to end up with as a “scrap.” Since it is 60″ wide, you’d need to cut at least three 4″ strips horizontally (width of fabric) and seam them together to get your finished 126″ strip. You’d end up with a scrap that is 60″ x 132″ plus the excess from the strips (I’d sew two 34″ strips to either side of the 60″ strip, using 1/2″ seams to equal the 126″ but the balance is up to you). Or, since you have the length already, you could… Read more »
Help! I’m trying to make a 12’x20’ tarp fabric is 60” wide. How many yards do I need. It doesn’t matter which way the fabric runs
Hi Terry — It’s a bit hard to tell you for sure long distance because there are several ways you could seam together your panels to create that size. It’s best if you map it out on paper. First, turn the feet into inches: 144″ x 240″ — Since 60″ divides equally into 240″, I’d suggest that as your best use of the fabric width. You’d need three 60″ widths. When seaming them together (using a 1/2″ seam allowance) you’d lose 2″ and then, depending on how/if you need to finish it all around, you might also lose a bit… Read more »
I want to convert 5 1/4 yards of 45″ wide to 118″ backing. How many yards to i need?
@Debra – We don’t have any charts that go all the way up to the 118″ quilt backings. In general, the traditional math used on most standard charts bumps up the width in increments of approximately 3-5″ (32″ to 36″, 36″ to 39″, 39″ to 41″, 41″ to 45″, 45″ to 50″, 50″ – 54″, 54″ – 60″) — our chart, like others, stops at this more common 60″ width. With each of those increment increases, the amount of fabric needed decreases by about 1/8 yard. Using these general figures, you could keep working out wider and wider past 60″.… Read more »
Hello, I am trying to make a
Hello, I am trying to make a circle skirt, it’s saying due to the inches length 55” the fabric is best to be 60” width, I have 45”.. is there away to convert? If so how do I ?
Stk – We can’t answer for Stk – We can’t answer for sure long-distance as it will depend on the pattern. It sounds like they want you to cut the skirt as a full curve and to do that you need the full 60″ in width (and probably that in depth as well). If the fabric you’re using has a random motif or is a solid color you could get extra fabric, cut a 16″ panel (x the required depth so it matches the depth of your main fabric panel), then piece that narrow panel to the main width of… Read more »
So I’m making the yellow
So I’m making the yellow ballgown from Beauty and the Beast, and I was wondering how many yards of fabric I need? I have a 13 year old girl thats about 5’1 that I’m making this for. (I know this might be off topic.)
@mianorton – Sorry, but there @mianorton – Sorry, but there are SO many variables involved in coming up with that answer in terms of the pattern, the width of your chosen fabric, all the measurements of the wearer of the garment. If you’re using a pattern, I’m sure you’ve see that the back of the envelope gives you some information about sizing. Sometimes if there’s not enough info there, the pattern company site might have additional sizing charts to compare height plus chest, waist, hips so you can determine you are working with the correct size. Then, you can match… Read more »
Hi is there a video? I’m
Hi is there a video? I’m trying to figure out how to make a throw blanket I need 2 yards of fabric and the with needs to be about 60 inches how do I do that? Please help
@Savannah – We don’t have
@Savannah – We don’t have videos, but it sounds like you have all the information you need. You should be looking for a fabric that is 60″ wide. Once you find that, you should get two yards. Since you know both of those variables, you don’t need any conversion. With a throw, you really want to find the proper width. Otherwise you’d need to seam together two panels to get the full width and you’re unlikely to want a seam down the middle of your throw.
I have a pattern that only
I have a pattern that only shows the amount of fabric needed in 45″ wide. The fabric I want to purchase is 60″. If the pattern calls for 4-3/8 at 45″ how much would I need if the fabric is 60″?
@EDenise – this fabulous site
@EDenise – this fabulous site has a lovely bit of math that explains the process of finding amounts not on a traditional chart. Take a look and try it for yourself, but when I did it, I came up with approximately 3-1/2 yards at 60″
http://historicalsewing.com/how-to-use-a-fabric-conversion-chart
hello.. I am new to this
hello.. I am new to this sewing/crafting world. I am in a total bind at the moment.. and any helpful tips would be so greatly appreciated! I currently need to make a Minky blanket in a queen and king size. However, all the prints that my customers like are 42″ in width! Is it possible to execute this project?
@Phoenix – You can seam
@Phoenix – You can seam together panels to create your width. Check out our tutorial on the easy process:
https://sew4home.com/tips-resources/sewing-tips-tricks/donna-babylon-quick-tip-%E2%80%93-joining-fabric-widths-make-extra-wide
i am considering an expensive
i am considering an expensive fabric that is 83″ wide. How do I convert that?
@ LRKimo – That is an unusal
@ LRKimo – That is an unusual width, so standard charts aren’t going to help you. It would probably be better to sketch it out on paper. Make a box on graph paper to represent your 83″ in width on the horizontal axis, and then draw in the cuts required for your project. Extend the length vertically as needed to get everything to fit. When it all fits, measure your vertical axis and round up to the nearest traditional yardage cut.
AWESOME THANKS SO MUCH FOR
AWESOME THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU TEACH US !!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! !!!!
@Linda – thank you so much!
@Linda – thank you so much!
Thank you for this handy,
Thank you for this handy, informative chart. I’m wondering if you would add the 104″-108″ backing widths to this list. The Wide Backs are increasingly common and super convenient for quilters. Thank you.
@gracious – Thanks for the
@gracious – Thanks for the suggestion; we’ll look at adding that next time we do an update.
Have you done the update as
Have you done the update as of Aug. 2017???
@Diane – We haven’t done an
@Diane – We haven’t done an update yet, but it’s stil on that ever-lengthening list of things to do.