Fabric Calculator How Much Do you Need?

Finding measurements of fabric is I think one of the trickiest things!  This is especially true when it comes to designing patterns.  I end up with this finished project or quilt and sometimes have no idea how much fabric I started off with!

 Fabric calculators have been my saving grace.  I thought today we would go over a few resources so you can find some help if you get all in a tizzy with the math!

Calculating fabric requirements for your quilting projects can sometimes feel daunting, especially when dealing with different sizes and patterns.

A fabric calculator can be a quilter’s best friend, helping you determine exactly how much fabric and material you need for your project, whether it’s a large bed quilt or a small wall hanging.

Understanding how to accurately calculate fabric can save time, reduce waste, and ensure that you have enough fabric to complete your project without any last-minute runs to the store.

Let’s explore how to calculate fabric yardage for your quilts, introduce some handy apps that can assist with calculations, and provide detailed instructions on determining the right amount of fabric for various quilt components.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced quilter, these tips will help you approach your projects with confidence and precision. Let’s dive in and simplify the process of fabric calculation.

How Do I Calculate How Much Material I Need?

1. Measure Your Quilt Top: Start by determining the size of your quilt top. Measure the total length and total width to get the total area. For example, a quilt that measures 60 inches by 80 inches has a total area of 4,800 square inches.
2. Account for Seam Allowances: Add extra fabric for seam allowances. Typically, quilters use a 1/4-inch seam allowance, so you’ll need to add this to each side of every piece you cut.
3. Consider the Design: Factor in the design of your quilt. For complex patterns or blocks that require multiple pieces, calculate the fabric needed for each component and add them together.
4. Calculate Backing and Binding: Don’t forget the backing and binding. The backing should be slightly larger than the quilt top to allow for quilting, and the binding typically requires strips that are 2.5 inches wide.

Is There an App to Calculate Fabric?

Yes, several apps and online tools can help you calculate fabric requirements. Some popular options include:

• Robert Kaufman’s Quilting Calculator: Available as an app and online tool, this calculator helps you determine yardage for various quilt parts.
• Quilters Calculator: Calculated Industries Quilter’s FabriCalc Quilt Design and Fabric Estimating Calculator. This app provides various calculators for different quilt components, including blocks, sashing, borders, and binding.
• Fabric Yardage Calculator: Plus in your info and this quick calculator will tell you the number of squares you need for an irish chain

These tools simplify the process and reduce the risk of errors, ensuring you have the right amount of fabric for your project.

Additional Quilting Calculators for all kinds of scenarios

Backing and Batting Calculator	Determines how much yardage is needed to make a backing given a quilt’s dimensions. It also may be used to determine how much batting is needed given a quilt’s dimensions.
Binding Calculator	Calculates the binding length and the amount of fabric required to bind your quilt given the quilt’s dimensions (width and length).
Border Yardage Calculator	Calculates the amount of fabric required to put a border around your quilt given the quilt’s dimensions (width and length) and the border’s width. You may specify up to 5 borders.
Piece Count Calculator	Determines the number of fixed-sized pieces of fabric that may be cut from a larger piece of fabric.
Strip Calculator	Calculates how many yards of fabric are needed given the strip width and the number of strips, or calculates how many strips you can get out of a piece of fabric given the strip width and the fabric yardage.
Pieces to Yardage Area Calculator	Determines how much fabric is needed if you want to cut a given number of fixed sized pieces.
Sashing Calculator	Determines how much fabric is needed for sashing as well as for cornerstones.

How to Calculate Yardage? The Basics

1. Convert Measurements: Convert your measurements to yards if they are in inches. Remember that one yard equals 36 inches. For example, if you need 72 inches of fabric, that’s equivalent to 2 yards.
2. Calculate Total Yardage: Divide the total number of inches needed by 36 to get the yardage. For example, if your total requirement is 144 inches, you’ll need 4 yards of fabric (144 divided by 36).
3. Factor in Width of Fabric (WOF): Fabric width typically comes in widths of 42-44 inches. Ensure you calculate how many strips or pieces you can get from the width of the fabric. This helps determine the total yardage more accurately.

Fabric Measurements Conversions

The table below shows conversions between measurements in yardage fraction form, yardage decimal form, inches and centimeters.

Yards (Fraction)	Yards (Decimal)	Inches	Centimeters
1/8	0.125	4 1/2	11.4
1/6	0.17	6	15.2
1/4	0.25	9	22.9
1/3	0.33	12	30.4
3/8	0.375	13 1/2	34.3
1/2	0.5	18	45.7
5/8	0.625	22 1/2	57.2
2/3	0.67	24	61.0
3/4	0.75	27	68.6
5/6	0.83	30	76.2
7/8	0.875	31 1/2	80.0
1	1.0	36	91.4

Additional Points for Quilters:

• Pattern Instructions: Always refer to the pattern instructions, which often include detailed fabric requirements and cutting instructions.
• Pre-Wash Fabric: Pre-washing can cause some shrinkage, so account for this when calculating yardage.
• Extra Fabric: It’s a good idea to buy a little extra fabric to allow for mistakes, future repairs, or if the fabric is discontinued.
• Quilt Batting and Borders: Don’t forget to calculate fabric for quilt batting and borders, which often require additional yardage.
• Fabric Repeats: Is there a vertical repeat or even horizontal repeat in the fabric design that you are looking to use? Does this matter in your quilt or next project? Not sure about this, but even a bolt of fabric with a half drop pattern repeats needs special attention. 
• Type of fabric: Are you using quilting cotton or is there another fabric – like minky or flannel that you are using in your quilt. Does this matter to the overall requirements of fabric yards? Some fabrics have a greater shrinkage factor that others. 
• Width of your fabric: Double check the width of the fabric bolts to make sure that you are not shorted when choosing your fabric collection. Some are less than the typical 42″ 
• Quilt Kits: These are great for quilters who don’t really want to deal with the math! They come with the correct piece of fabric that you need for the quilt – no fabric yardage calculator needed! It should have a list of the total number of pieces it includes. Some quilt kits don’t include the backing or binding – so keep in mind that you will need an additional yard of fabric for these. 
• Simple calculator – measure up to the nearest whole number. This will give you enough fabric for your sewing patterns, embroidery patterns, and even that free quilt pattern. No matter what, you measuring up should give you just a bit more than the fabric size you need.
• Directional Fabric: Just like the fabric repeats or patterned fabric, your latest project may come up short if you didn’t take in consideration the directional fabric. This can cause a bit of confusion even when calculating your fabric yardage needs. Sometimes using solid fabrics, a plain fabric, a quilt kit is best.  

By understanding these techniques and using fabric calculators, quilters can accurately determine their fabric needs, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable quilting process. 

Additional Resources and Printables

• Fabric Yardage.  Need help remember what size to cut a quarter of a yard?  Here is a handy printable fabric yardage card that will fit in your wallet for quick reference.

• Pre Cut Fabric.  What size is a fat quarter? charm pack and other packets of fabric ready for sewing?  Printable pre cut fabric chart to keep things all sorted out and clear.

• How to Cut your fabric.  Do you know what kind of cuts you can get out of a piece of fabric?  These diagrams will help you get the most out of what you have.
• Cutting strips using a specialty ruler. Learn how to use this ruler to cut strips super quick and correct.
• Cutting strips at an angle. Take the confusion out of angle cuts with this how to.
• Scrap Quilts – if you’re finding yourself with a lot of leftover fabric, then sewing up a scrap quilt is the perfect solution.

I am not going to go into the mathematics of it all.  Depending on what you are looking for will determine what measurements you need.  I have found a few places for quick reference that I use to help me figure out the size of a quilt back, or cut pieces.  These have come in handy when making patterns…. but if you are like me and you sometimes divert from the pattern you are following, you might need some help figuring out where you are and what sizes you need.

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