Buying too little fabric is frustrating; buying too much wastes money. This guide shows you how to work out how much fabric you need for the most common projects – curtains, cushions, dresses, quilts and upholstery – with simple formulas and quick-reference tables. All our fabric is sold by the metre and cut in one continuous length, so you can order exactly what you need.
Before you start: check the fabric width
Fabric comes off the roll in standard widths, and the width makes a big difference to how many metres you need. You will find the width on every product page.
| Width (inches) | Width (cm) | Typical fabrics |
|---|---|---|
| 45" | 112–115cm | Cotton poplin, craft cotton, polycotton |
| 54"–55" | 137–140cm | Curtain and upholstery fabric, brocade, tapestry, linen-look |
| 58"–60" | 147–150cm | Dress fabrics, satin, taffeta, organza, faux fur, fleece, felt |
Tip: one metre is about 39 inches, or just over a yard (1 yard = 0.91m).
How much fabric do I need for curtains?
- Measure the width of your curtain pole or track (not the window).
- Multiply by the fullness: 1.5× for a flat look, 2× for standard pencil pleat, up to 2.5× for full, luxurious curtains.
- Divide by the fabric width and round up to get the number of widths (drops) you need.
- Measure the drop (from the pole to where the curtain should finish) and add about 25cm for top and bottom hems.
- Multiply the number of widths by the drop plus hems. Add one extra pattern repeat per width if the fabric has a large pattern.
Example: a 150cm pole × 2 fullness = 300cm. 300 ÷ 140cm fabric = 2.1, so round up to 3 widths. Drop of 220cm + 25cm = 245cm. 3 × 2.45m = 7.35m, so order 7.5m.
Browse curtain fabric, and read our guide to the best fabric for curtains.
How much fabric for a cushion cover?
| Cushion size | Envelope-back cover | Fabric needed (140cm wide) |
|---|---|---|
| 40 × 40cm (16") | 1 front + 2 back panels | 0.5m |
| 45 × 45cm (18") | 1 front + 2 back panels | 0.5m |
| 50 × 50cm (20") | 1 front + 2 back panels | 0.6m |
| 60 × 60cm (24") | 1 front + 2 back panels | 1m |
Half a metre of 140cm furnishing fabric usually makes one 45cm cushion; 1 metre makes two. Try tapestry, velvet or linen-look fabric.
How much fabric do I need for a dress?
Always check the fabric chart on your sewing pattern first – it gives exact amounts for each size and width. As a rough guide for an adult size 12–14 on 150cm-wide fabric:
| Garment | Approximate fabric |
|---|---|
| Simple top or blouse | 1.25–1.5m |
| A-line or straight skirt | 1–1.5m |
| Knee-length dress | 2–2.5m |
| Maxi dress | 3–3.5m |
| Full circle skirt / prom dress | 3.5–5m |
| Trousers | 2–2.5m |
| Coat or jacket | 2.5–3m |
Add 10–20% for 112cm-wide fabric, for napped fabrics such as velvet and faux fur (all pieces must face the same way) and for large prints or checks that need matching. See all dressmaking fabric.
How much fabric for a quilt?
| Quilt size | Finished size (approx.) | Backing fabric (112cm wide, with 10cm overhang each side) |
|---|---|---|
| Cot / baby | 90 × 120cm | 1.4m |
| Lap / throw | 130 × 150cm | 3.2m (2 widths) |
| Single | 150 × 200cm | 4.4m (2 widths) |
| Double | 200 × 220cm | 4.8m (2 widths) |
| King | 240 × 240cm | 7.8m (3 widths) |
For the quilt top, add up the area of your blocks and allow around 10% extra for seam allowances and mistakes. Find quilting fabric and read our quilting and crafts guide.
How much fabric to reupholster a chair or sofa?
| Item | Approximate fabric (137–140cm wide) |
|---|---|
| Dining chair seat pad | 0.5m (covers 1–2 seats) |
| Headboard (double) | 1.5–2m |
| Ottoman / footstool | 1–2m |
| Armchair | 5–7m |
| Two-seater sofa | 10–12m |
| Three-seater sofa | 13–16m |
Upholstery estimates vary a lot with the shape of the furniture and loose cushions, so measure every panel and add 10–15%. Browse upholstery fabric and read our upholstery fabric guide.
Top tips for buying fabric by the metre
- Round up – it is always better to have a little spare than to run short, especially as dye batches can vary between orders.
- Allow for shrinkage – natural fibres like cotton and linen can shrink 3–5% when washed, so pre-wash before cutting.
- Buy in one go – orders are cut in one continuous length, which keeps pattern and colour consistent.
- Buying in bulk? For large projects, wholesale fabric rolls work out much cheaper per metre.
New to fabric? Our A–Z guide to types of fabric explains what each fabric is best for.
