Free Fabric Yardage Calculator

Estimate fabric for repeated rectangular pieces such as simple panels, patchwork components, napkins and basic sewing projects. Enter the piece size, quantity, usable fabric width and an allowance for waste. For quilts, calculate the repeated blocks or panels here first, then add borders, backing and binding separately because their cutting layouts and seam allowances differ. Do not use this rectangular-piece estimate for quilt backing: backing yardage depends on the finished quilt size, extra fabric required on all four sides, usable fabric width, and how many panels must be pieced. Wide-back fabric can also change the layout completely.

Important: This is a planning estimate for rectangular pieces. Directional prints, pattern matching, garment pattern layouts, nap, shrinkage and irregular shapes can require more fabric.

How to get a safer estimate

Useful for: repeated rectangular pieces such as quilt blocks, napkins, simple panels, table linens and cushion components. For quilt backing, binding, garments, curtains, upholstery or pieces that must be nested around curves, use a project-specific cutting layout rather than treating this estimate as exact.

Use the actual usable width after removing selvages. Add seam allowances to the piece dimensions before entering them. Increase the waste percentage for directional prints, large motifs or fabric that may shrink. For garment sewing, use the pattern envelope or cutting layout as the final authority.

Planning a quilt? See Rihalo’s fall star-quilt guide.