Before you go to the store to buy fabric, you need to know as accurately as possible its consumption for the planned product. It is not advisable to make mistakes in this matter. Correct calculation of the amount of material will allow you to buy the cut you need and not overpay for extra centimeters. On the other hand, it is important that there is enough material and that you do not have to buy more, since the selected fabric may simply run out in the store.

The method for calculating the material consumption required to make a dress with your own hands is simple and easy to use. In standard calculations for mass production, they measure the length of the planned item and the sleeve, and also add a few centimeters for finishing the edge. This method is suitable for standard figures of average height. Determining more accurate material consumption is determined by the following factors:

• The size of the product and the characteristics of the human figure. Consumption increases significantly if parts of the pattern do not fit on one side of the canvas, for example, along the circumference of the hips.
• Use of additional accessories. These can be pockets, folds, straps, frills.
• Product style. So, if the hem of the dress is planned in the shape of a circle skirt, then the consumption can reach up to 5 meters, for a circle skirt up to 2 meters or more.
• The texture and design of the material, as well as other points.

REFERENCE! You should pay attention to the width of the canvas. Most of the trending materials on the market have a width of 150 cm, but there are also narrower options, about 90–110 cm according to the specified parameter.

How much fabric do you need for a short dress?

The approximate material requirement for a sleeveless item is about one and a half meters. To calculate a product with long sleeves, you need to focus on the length of the dress and the length of the sleeves, taking into account hems and allowances, finishing of about 15 cm. If you are planning a complicated collar and other elements, then you should add another 20 cm.

When sewing an outfit for a large figure starting from size 50 or when the hip circumference exceeds the width of the fabric minus 10 cm. The cost is already two lengths of the outfit plus a hem of 15 cm. This is explained by the fact that the standard width of the fabric simply does not fit all the details of the pattern.

ATTENTION! In general, the need for fabric for plus size physiques increases significantly, almost doubling.

How much fabric do you need for a long dress?

When sewing long trapezoidal clothes, material consumption increases along the latitude. The length measures the distance from the beginning of the belt to the floor surface. Therefore, it is necessary to consider how the hem of the product will be crafted. Clothes can consist of one piece or several elements that are later joined together. If the bottom is sewn separately, then taking two lengths of fabric for the top does not make any sense.

For low and overweight women you have to take almost twice as much material. The skirt pattern for large and protruding shapes does not fit into one width of fabric. If the material is 150 cm wide, then you can still fit all parts of the pattern on one area, but at 140 cm, it will be problematic to fit the pattern.

IMPORTANT! In general, when making dresses for tall people, they usually add 20–30 cm or more, depending on the height of the fair sex.

We hope that this article will be useful and will help you correctly calculate the required fabric consumption for future clothing options. In the future, you can get the approximate cost of the outfit by multiplying this number by the price of one meter.

Fabric consumption for a dress or skirt can be calculated using standard standards used in tailoring. They are usually used in mass tailoring and are designed for standard sizes and typical shapes. For figures that have non-standard dimensional characteristics, the calculation of fabric consumption for sewing various products can be done using certain rules.

If this is a men's or women's suit, then the length of the sleeve is added to the length of the jacket with allowances for hemming the bottom of the garment and the sleeves. The fabric consumption for the shirt is also calculated.
To calculate the fabric consumption for trousers, measure the length of the trousers to the waist, and add 15 - 25 cm to this measurement.
Fabric consumption for a skirt for a woman of a standard figure, it fits into one length of the skirt plus approximately 10 cm.
For a coat or robe, fabric is purchased based on the length of the product plus the sleeve length.
These examples are an approximate guideline for calculating fabric consumption for a particular product. In fact, there are many additional nuances that affect the increase in fabric consumption compared to the proposed figures. For example, the width of the fabric, non-standard body sizes, the presence of additional finishing details, fabric pattern, etc. Some of them can lead to a significant increase in consumption. For example, women with hips over 130 cm are forced to buy two lengths of fabric for a regular straight skirt.

1. Fabric consumption depends on the width of the fabric

Depending on the width of the fabric and the style of the product, different amounts of fabric are required.
If clothes are cut from fabric up to 100 cm wide, then the fabric consumption will be correspondingly greater than when cutting clothes from fabric 150 cm wide. The same rule applies to calculating fabric consumption when sewing bed linen. So, for example, it is more profitable to sew bed linen from fabric 220 cm wide than from fabric 150 cm wide.

For complex clothing styles, with many additional decorative elements, complex shaped or relief lines, fabric consumption will also be significantly greater.
Significantly more fabric will also be required for sewing clothes cut on the bias. So, for example, to sew a circle skirt, a half circle skirt, you will need at least 150cm of fabric.
When calculating the fabric consumption for clothing, the size of the product is also taken into account, that is, the chest circumference, as well as the person’s height.

2. The higher the height, the greater the fabric consumption

With the same product size, but with different heights, the need for fabric will be different. Naturally, when tall More tissue is needed than with average and low growth. However, in addition to the direct connection, there is also a secondary one, since human growth is often associated with an increase in other measures. And for trousers you will need to buy fabric not 125 cm, but 2 meters.

Depending on a person’s height, their growth characteristics are divided into five groups. For example, for female figure The approximate division by height will be as follows:
1st height - 149-154cm
2nd height - 155-160 cm
3rd height - 161-166 cm
4th height - 167-172 cm
5th height - 173-177 cm

3. Approximate fabric consumption rates for main types of clothing

Below is the approximate fabric consumption for some types of products:
Children's or teenager's coat. With a fabric width of 140 cm, two coat lengths are needed plus 15-20 cm for the hem of the bottom, since it must be at least 7-10 cm in order to be able to lengthen the coat when the child grows up.
Women's nightgown. With a fabric width of 90 cm, the fabric consumption is 2.5 times the length of the shirt.
Straight skirt. With a fabric width of 140 cm, you need to take one length of the skirt plus 10 centimeters - a reserve for hemming the bottom and processing the top line.
Women's blouse. With a fabric width of 90 - 110 cm, two blouse lengths and one sleeve length are required.
Men's pajamas. With a fabric width of 90 cm, the fabric consumption will be two trouser lengths, three jacket lengths, two sleeve lengths; add 20-30 cm to the collar and pockets. Or half as much for a fabric width of 150 cm.
Trousers. With a fabric width of 140 cm, you need to take one length of trousers plus 10-15 cm for children and teenagers, and 20-30 cm for adults, depending on the fullness of the figure.

There is another way to determine the fabric consumption for products. Make a basic drawing of the pattern according to measured to scale. Usually the scale is 1:4 or 1:5. The pattern drawing to scale is as follows:
The centimeter is divided into four or five equal parts and each division is taken as one centimeter. If the style requires modeling, then the style lines are drawn on the pattern drawing and the pattern is cut along the intended modeling lines.
Then, on the same scale (1:4 or 1:5), the expected width of the fabric for the product is drawn in conventional centimeters, and the length of the fabric is taken arbitrarily. It is necessary to draw the full width of the fabric in the case when the cutting is performed “in a spread”, that is, when the fabric is folded along the transverse thread. In this case, the edges of the fabric will run on both sides.
But cutting is often done “in the fold”, when the fabric is folded along the grain. In this case, the width of the fabric must be drawn twice as small as its actual width. In this case, the edges will be on one side, and on the other side there will be a fold of the fabric. For example, the width of the fabric is 140 cm, but the width of the fabric is drawn to be 70 cm (on the accepted scale).
Next, the patterns or their details are laid out within the width of the fabric drawn on the scale, taking into account the allowance for seams and the requirements for the direction of the thread in the details according to the established style. The laid out pattern pieces allow you to accurately calculate the fabric consumption for the product.

After you have calculated the fabric consumption and bought it in the store, naturally you will have to cut it. Some tips on how to correctly lay out pattern pieces on fabric.
After decating, that is, ironing the fabric with steam on the wrong side, the manufactured pattern pieces are laid out on the fabric.
Fabric cutting begins with the layout of large parts: skirt, front of the product, back, sleeves. Between them there are small details: belt, cuffs, collars, pockets and others. As an example, we provide a diagram for cutting the fabric of the parts of a women's blouse. The fabric is folded right sides inward, and the fold line runs down the center of the back.
All main parts of the product, unless otherwise provided by the style, must be cut along the grain thread.
The belt, collar and pocket details, depending on the style, are laid out in different directions: along the longitudinal thread, and along the transverse, and along the oblique.
When cutting symmetrical (paired) parts, the fabric is folded in half along the grain, with the right side inward.

It is difficult to accurately calculate the fabric consumption for covers without a pattern. But we can say that for almost any smallest chair, the fabric consumption (150 cm) will be at least 1.5 meters. For covers with a long “skirt” the consumption increases to 2 meters.

The fabric consumption for sewing a bedding set for 2 bedrooms, standard size, is approximately 7 meters with a width of 220 cm. And when buying calico with a width of 150 cm, you will already need 12 meters of fabric. As a result, bed linen made from wide fabric is more comfortable and easier to sew, and even its overall cost will be slightly less.

When sewing curtains, it is important to take accurate measurements and calculate correctly fabric consumption. Make extra allowance if this is your first time sewing curtains. Thick curtain fabrics are easy to cut, especially if there is a geometric pattern on the fabric. But transparent tulle without a pattern is very difficult to cut and difficult to cut evenly. When calculating the fabric consumption for curtains, do not save centimeters.

When sewing a quilted bedspread, you need to correctly calculate the consumption of the top fabric, padding polyester and lining. When stitching a geometric pattern, the top fabric of the bedspread can shrink significantly and the size of the bedspread can noticeably decrease.

Pillowcases generally have standard sizes: 70X70 or 50X70, children's 50X50 or 60X60. But there are also non-standard ones: 40X70; 80X80 or 85X85. In such cases, you can sew bed linen and pillowcases with your own hands.

Fabric for a sheet with an elastic band must be purchased with a width of at least 220 cm. Even this width of calico will not be enough to cut out the entire sheet. You will have to additionally adjust 30 - 40 cm. The total fabric consumption for such a sheet is at least 3 meters.

How much fabric do you need? Calculate the footage using the table!

Have you just started sewing? Have you forgotten how much fabric you need to sew a skirt or trousers? Have you looked into the store and don’t know how much to buy for the fabric you like for a dress? Then our table will help you!

Fabric consumption for products with a width of 150 cm.

Fabric consumption for a dress or skirt can be calculated using standard standards for tailoring. Basically, if it is a men's or women's suit, then the length of the sleeve is added to the length of the jacket with allowances for the hem at the bottom. The consumption for the shirt is also calculated. For trousers, the length to the waist is measured, plus 15 - 25 cm. The fabric consumption for a skirt for a woman of a standard figure is enough of one length. For a coat or robe, fabric is purchased based on the length of the product plus the length of the sleeve. This is a rough estimate of fabric consumption. In fact, many nuances arise, for example, the width of the fabric or non-standard body sizes, the presence of additional finishing details, etc., which significantly increase the consumption of fabric for sewing clothes.

1. Fabric consumption depends on the width of the fabric

Depending on the width of the fabric and the style of the product, different amounts of fabric are required. If clothes are cut from single-width fabric, then the fabric consumption along the length will be greater than with double-width fabric.
With a complex style of clothing, the fabric consumption will also be greater.
When calculating the fabric consumption for clothing, the size of the product is also taken into account, that is, the chest circumference, as well as the person’s height.

2. The higher the height, the more fabric.

With the same product size, but with different heights, the need for fabric will be different. Naturally, with high growth, more tissue is needed than with average and low growth. Depending on the height of the figure, height is determined. For example, for a female figure, the approximate division by height will be as follows: 1st height 149-154 cm; 2nd height 155-160; 3rd height 161-166; 4th height 167-172; 5th height 173-177.

3. Approximate fabric consumption for different clothes:

Below is the simplest and approximate definition of fabric consumption for some types of products:
Children's or teenager's coat.
With a fabric width of 140 cm, two coat lengths are required plus 15-20 cm for the hem, since the hem is made 7-10 cm, so that it is possible to lengthen the coat when the child grows up.
Women's nightgown.
With a fabric width of 90 cm, you need fabric 2.5 times the length of the shirt.
Straight skirt.
With a fabric width of 140 cm, you need to take one length of the skirt plus 10 centimeters - a reserve for hemming the bottom and processing the top line.
Women's blouse.
With a fabric width of 90 -110cm. The fabric required is two blouse lengths and one sleeve length.
Men's pajamas.
With a fabric width of 90 cm, the fabric required is two lengths of trousers, three lengths of a jacket, two lengths of sleeves; add 20-30 cm to the collar and pockets. Or half as much for a fabric width of 150 cm.
Trousers.
With a fabric width of 140 cm, you need to take one length of trousers plus 10-15 cm for children and teenagers and 20-30 cm for adults, depending on the fullness of the figure.

4. Calculation of fabric consumption

You can also determine the fabric consumption for products using the method given below. They do it as follows. Draw up the main drawing of the pattern according to the measurements taken to scale. Usually the scale is 1:4 or 1:5.
A pattern drawing to scale is made as follows: a centimeter is divided into four or five equal parts and each division is taken as a centimeter. If the style requires modeling, then the style lines are drawn on the pattern drawing and the pattern is cut along the intended modeling lines.
Then, on the same scale (1:4 or 1:5), the expected width of the fabric for the product is drawn in conventional centimeters, and the length of the fabric is taken arbitrarily. It is necessary to draw the full width of the fabric in the case when the cutting is performed “in a spread”, that is, when the fabric is folded along the transverse thread; The edges of the fabric in this case will run on both sides. But cutting is often done “in the fold”, when the fabric is folded along the grain; in this case, the width of the fabric must be drawn twice as small as its actual width; In this case, the edges will be on one side, and on the other side there will be a fold of the fabric. For example, the width of the fabric is 140 cm, but the width of the fabric is drawn to be 70 cm (on the accepted scale).

Next, the patterns or their details are laid out within the width of the fabric drawn on the scale, taking into account the allowance for seams and the requirements for the direction of the thread in the details according to the established style.
The laid out pattern details allow you to calculate the fabric consumption for the product.

5. Cut the fabric

After you have calculated the fabric consumption and bought it in the store, naturally you will have to cut it. Some tips on how to do this.

After decating, that is, ironing the fabric with steam, the manufactured pattern pieces are laid out on the fabric. The cutting of fabric begins with the layout of large parts: skirt, front, back, sleeves, and between them there are small ones: belt, cuffs, collars, pockets and others. As an example, the photo shows a diagram of cutting the fabric of the details of a women's blouse pattern. The fabric is folded right sides inward and the fold line runs down the middle of the back.

All main parts of the product, unless otherwise provided by the style, must be cut along the grain of the fabric. The belt, collar and pockets, depending on the style, are laid out in different directions: along the longitudinal thread, and along the transverse, and along the oblique. When cutting symmetrical (paired) parts, the fabric is folded in half along the grain, with the right side inward.

When you are going to sew such a complex and large product as a dress, it is important not only to choose a style, pattern and fabric, you also need to calculate its consumption. After all, only an accurate calculation will allow you to buy as many meters as the fabric you need for a dress and not find yourself in a situation where you spent a lot of money and you have a lot of scraps left or, even worse, there is not enough material.

General principles

There are general methods for calculating how many meters of fabric are needed for a dress or other product. Such methods are used in mass production of clothing or in ateliers and, according to them, the consumption is taken as standard for a certain style and parameters of the client.

In this method, everything is simple - measure the length of the intended product and the length of the sleeve, add centimeters to the hem and the resulting number will be the required amount of material.

This method is simple, but does not take into account either the width of the canvas or your parameters. It is suitable only for a figure and height that fits well into a certain clothing size. But complete or tall girls, as well as for those whose top is one size and bottom is another, this technique will not work. They will have to calculate the number of meters more accurately. It is better to use more scrupulous calculations in cases where you are buying expensive fabric for a dress (no one wants to pay for extra centimeters).

To do this, take into account:

• fabric width;
• your volumes and growth;
• style;
• the presence of decorative elements;
• features of the fabric, such as pile or pattern.

Let's take a closer look at calculating the amount of fabric based on these aspects.

Fabric width

Almost all modern textiles for clothing are produced with a width of 145-150 cm.

This is very convenient, because if you fold the fabric in half lengthwise, the pattern will go along the width, and from one cut you can cut out two parts at once (the front and back of the product). But this will not work for overweight ladies with large hips.

There are also fabrics with a smaller width - 90-120 cm. These are often natural and expensive options - silk, chiffon, lace. If, when deciding what fabric to make a summer dress or evening dress from, you choose them, then keep in mind that the consumption for such a width will double.

If the fabric is wider than 150 cm, this will make it possible to cut out small details from the remaining edge - sleeves, pockets, collar, which will result in overall savings in material.

Measurements

To calculate the fabric consumption for a dress, you need to take measurements of the chest, waist and hips even before creating the pattern. Moreover, for overweight ladies, the consumption will be almost 2 times higher, since with a large volume of hips, the pattern will not fit half the width of the fabric.

For example, with a hip volume of 130 cm, one half of the sheath dress pattern will have a width of 65 cm, add 5 cm for seam allowances and get 75 cm. If we take the standard fabric width of 145 cm, two pattern pieces will not fit on it Accordingly, you will have to buy twice as much material.

Height is also important; the taller the woman, the more material will be spent on the outfit. In the enlarged method of calculating it, there are groups by height:

• the first group includes women 149-154 cm,
• in the second 155-160 cm,
• in the third 161-166 cm,
• in the fourth 167-172 cm
• and a fifth from 173 cm.

About 30 additional centimeters are added to each subsequent group for sewing the same model.

How much fabric is needed to sew a dress, depending on its style?

Before choosing fabric for a dress, think about its model in detail. It directly affects the amount of material. So, if you want to sew a sheath with short sleeves, it will take three times less meters than evening dress to the floor, not to mention how much longer the fabric should be for summer dress with a circle skirt.

Let's look at a few basic examples:

• If you plan to sew a one-piece version with a straight hem, then you will need to measure the length of the future product. Add to it the length of the sleeves and another 5 centimeters at the edges for the shoulder seams and hem and get the required amount of fabric. But let us remind you that this is true if the width of the canvas is at least 145 cm, and your volumes fit into half of this width. If they don't fit, then you need two lengths. From the leftovers you can carve out additional elements- belt or collar, if provided.
• But how much fabric is needed for a sheath dress or with a fluffy skirt cut at the waist - the same as for a one-piece dress, but you need to add another 10 cm to it for cuts along the waist line.
• If the skirt is planned to be pleated, then multiply the hip volume by 3; if it turns out to be larger than the width of the fabric, then you will need at least 3 lengths.
• If you are deciding how much fabric you need for a floor-length dress with a flared skirt, then keep in mind that the consumption will be large both in width (including folds) and in length - take measurements of the cut-off hem from the waist to the floor, taking into account shoes the finished outfit will be the desired length.
• Patterns “sun” and “half-sun” require even more footage. So, for the “half-sun” you need to take two lengths of the skirt and two radius parts with a notch for the waist and do not forget to add 10 cm for the seams. In the “sun”, take exactly twice as much material as in the “half-sun”.

Here is approximate information on how much fabric is needed for a knee-length, floor-length or mini dress:

How much fabric is needed for a dress with flounce, frill, pockets or other details

If the pattern involves small or large parts, you need to add 20 to 30 cm to them. From these pieces you can cut out pockets, a turn-down collar, a belt or a decorative flounce. However, if the parts are voluminous, then they may require a larger reserve.

Don’t forget about the lining; you also need to calculate the consumption for it. This is usually the length of the product for one-piece models or the length of the skirt for cut-off models. But if you have a pleated hem, the consumption of the lining will be the same as that of the main fabric. On sleeves or for wide ones long skirts they don't make lining. You can also think about what fabric to choose for a summer dress in order to do without a lining.

Features of fabrics with patterns and pile

All of the above tips are only good if your fabric is plain or has a small pattern. For a larger pattern or checks and stripes, you will have to take into account its alignment at the seams. And this implies greater consumption.

Usually the planned footage is increased by 30-40 cm. The same is with material with pile - all the details of the pattern must be laid out so that in the finished product the pile is directed in one direction. This means that you may need more loose fabric to cut out small pieces.

But if you want to buy a coupon, this approach may not be suitable. What matters here is how you plan to place the main pattern on the coupon fabric dress. The styles of such outfits often imply a pattern along the hem; in this case, measure the width of the planned skirt and buy exactly that amount of coupon.

It is important that the remaining pattern pieces fit across the remaining fabric. But in this case, pay attention to its properties - not all of them will be able to cut across the grain, especially if you are planning a “sun” - in this case, the edges of the hem will sag.

On one-piece straight The dress will need an amount of fabric corresponding to the desired length of the product plus the length of the sleeve, provided that the volume of the hips, taking into account seam allowances and a loose fit, fits the width of the fabric. It is necessary to take into account allowances for processing shoulder seams and the bottom of the product. If the fabric is narrow (70-100 cm), the dress will require two product lengths plus sleeve length. The 120 cm wide fabric makes it possible to cut sleeves from the leftover pieces from the front and back of the dress. In this case, two dress lengths are sufficient. In both cases, you will need a little more fabric to cut out additional details: pockets, cuffs, collar, belt, etc.

When determining the fabric consumption for a dress cut along the waist line, you can use the calculation for a one-piece dress, adding 8-10 cm for processing cuts along the waist. For a straight two-seam skirt with a fabric width of 140-150 cm, you will need one length plus an allowance for processing the upper and lower sections (6-7 cm) and plus the width of the belt (10 cm), provided that the volume of the hips, taking into account a loose fit and seam allowances less than the width of the fabric. If the fabric is narrow, you will need two skirt lengths.
For a skirt in circular one-sided The fold measurement of the hip circumference is multiplied by three and the result obtained is compared with the width of the fabric: will it be possible to limit the fabric to two lengths of the skirt or will another, third length be required? For a half-sun skirt, you will need two skirt lengths plus two waist notch radii, plus 10 cm. For a sun skirt, you need four product lengths plus four waist notch radii, plus 10 cm.

The amount of fabric for a blouse is determined in the same way as for a dress. Amount of fabric for trousers: with a hip circumference of 100-104 cm, one length of the product is required plus 20-30 cm for additional details. For hip circumferences greater than 104 cm, 1.5 product lengths are required. For example, with a trouser length of 102 cm, the fabric consumption will be 102 + 51 = 153 cm (see table).

Fabric consumption rates (in meters) for various products depending on the width of the fabric, height and body size

Attention!If the products have additional details (patch pockets, leaves, shoulder straps, flaps, folds, collars of complex styles, finishing details) or fabric with a complex directional pattern, pile, checkered, striped is used, then the fabric consumption increases by 30-40 cm

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