Type how much fabric you have, or the size of a leftover piece. See what you can make, how much each project needs, and which free CozySew patterns fit your fabric in your size.
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How much fabric do you need for clothes?
These are typical amounts for a simple version of each garment in a medium size (US 8–14). Smaller sizes need a little less, plus sizes up to 20% more, and long sleeves, full skirts or a one-way print add more. Your own pattern always has the final word.
| Garment | 150 cm / 60″ wide | 115 cm / 45″ wide | Fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-shirt | 1.2 m / 1⅜ yd | 1.6 m / 1¾ yd | Knit |
| Straight skirt | 0.8 m / ⅞ yd | 1.3 m / 1½ yd | Woven |
| Shorts | 0.9 m / 1 yd | 1.3 m / 1½ yd | Woven or knit |
| Blouse or shirt | 1.8 m / 2 yd | 2.3 m / 2½ yd | Woven |
| Pants | 1.7 m / 1⅞ yd | 2.4 m / 2⅝ yd | Woven |
| Hoodie or sweatshirt | 1.6 m / 1¾ yd | 2.1 m / 2⅓ yd | Knit |
| Short dress | 1.8 m / 2 yd | 2.5 m / 2¾ yd | Woven |
| Midi or long dress | 2.8 m / 3 yd | 3.6 m / 4 yd | Woven |
| Jacket | 2.0 m / 2¼ yd | 2.6 m / 2⅞ yd | Woven or quilted |
| Coat | 2.8 m / 3 yd | 3.8 m / 4⅛ yd | Woven |
What can you make with 1 yard of fabric?
One yard is 91 cm (36″) long and as wide as the bolt, so a piece of 91 × 150 cm or 91 × 115 cm. That is enough for:
- Clothes: a straight or pencil skirt in 150 cm fabric (our free pencil skirt pattern needs 0.8 m in sizes 00–14), a child’s T-shirt, leggings or a pair of kids’ pants.
- Home: a cushion cover, two cloth napkins, a placemat or an apron.
- Gifts: a tote bag, a zipper pouch, drawstring gift bags, scrunchies and hair bows.
What can you make with 2 yards of fabric?
Two yards (about 1.8 m) of 150 cm wide fabric is enough for most tops and blouses, shorts, a skirt or a pair of pants in small to medium sizes, and for a sweatshirt or a pullover hoodie in knit. A dress usually needs 2.5 to 3.5 yards, and a coat 3 yards or more. In 115 cm wide fabric, count about 30% more.
What can you make with fabric scraps?
Choose I have a small piece in the tool above and type its size: it shows what fits and how to cut it. Pieces of 25 × 25 cm (10 × 10″) make hair bows, coasters, bookmarks and lavender sachets. A 30 × 40 cm piece makes a small zipper pouch or a sleep mask, and 12 cm squares from many scraps turn into a patchwork cushion or a quilted bag.
How to measure your fabric
- Pre-wash, dry and press the fabric the way you will wash the finished garment.
- Fold it in half lengthwise, selvage to selvage, and lay it flat.
- Measure the length along the selvage and the full width from edge to edge.
- For a scrap, measure only the usable part, without frayed edges, holes or fold marks.
New to sewing? Learn how to take your body measurements and how to choose your pattern size, then browse our free women’s patterns and free kids’ patterns.
Questions about fabric amounts
Where do the amounts come from?
“What you can make” uses typical amounts for a simple version of each item, in your size range. Every pattern is different, so always check your own pattern. The CozySew cards use the real yardage from each pattern’s cutting layout.
What can I make with 1 yard of fabric?
With 1 yard (about 0.9 m) you can sew a tote bag, an apron, a cushion cover, a zipper pouch or a set of scrunchies. In 150 cm wide fabric it is also enough for a short straight skirt or a small child’s top or pants.
What does 1 yard of fabric cover?
One yard is 36 inches (91.4 cm) long. Fabric is sold by length, so 1 yard of 60″ fabric covers 36 × 60 inches, about 91 × 150 cm, and 1 yard of 45″ fabric covers 36 × 45 inches, about 91 × 115 cm.
What can I make with 2 yards of fabric?
2 yards (about 1.8 m) of 150 cm wide fabric is enough for most tops, a skirt, shorts or a pair of pants in small to medium sizes. A dress usually needs 2.5 to 3.5 yards.
What can I make with a 10×10 piece of fabric?
A 10 × 10 inch (25 × 25 cm) piece is enough for a hair bow, two coasters, a fabric bookmark, a lavender sachet or four patchwork squares. Choose “I have a small piece” above to see exactly what fits yours.
What can I do with fabric scraps?
Pieces under 0.3 m are perfect for scrunchies, pouches, pockets, patchwork, hair bows and fabric gift tags. Keep scraps of the same fabric as your garment for patching later.
Why does fabric width change so much?
Wider fabric fits more pieces side by side, so you need less length. A pair of trousers can need 1.5 m of 150 cm fabric but 2.3 m of 115 cm fabric.
Should I wash my fabric before measuring?
Yes. Cotton and linen can shrink 3 to 5% in the first wash. Pre-wash, dry and press it, then measure what you really have.
What if I am short by a few centimetres?
Shorten the garment at the hem, cut facings or pocket bags from a different fabric, or turn a long-sleeve top into a short-sleeve one. The patterns marked “Almost there” are the ones where this usually works.