Over a decade of sewing between us — we built this site so you can spend less time on arithmetic and more time at the machine.
Why We Built This
Every sewist knows the frustration: you're at the fabric store, holding a bolt, and you're not sure how many yards to buy. Buy too little and you're making another trip. Buy too much and you've wasted money on fabric that sits in a drawer.
I've been sewing for over 12 years — everything from curtains and upholstery for my 1920s bungalow to quilts for friends' babies and the occasional dress for myself. In that time I've made every yardage mistake there is. Enough times that I decided to put the formulas into a tool that anyone can use, for free, without downloading an app or pulling out a calculator.
The math behind our calculator comes from standard industry formulas used by professional upholsterers, curtain workrooms, and pattern makers. We cross-checked our results against real cutting layouts to make sure the numbers hold up on the cutting table, not just on paper.
"The 10% waste allowance isn't random — it comes from actual fabric loss I've tracked across hundreds of projects. Beginners really should use 15%. Trust me, I learned that one the hard way."
— YardageCalc Team
Our Sources & Methodology
Our yardage formulas are based on:
- ASTM D4964 — Standard test method for fabric width measurement
- Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA) — Curtain fullness ratio standards
- Quilting industry standards — Yardage calculations for quilt tops and backing (standard 40" usable width for quilting cotton)
- Upholstery industry practice — Fabric yardage estimation for standard furniture pieces (sofa, armchair, dining chair)
- Verified against real cutting layouts from Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing and Vogue Sewing
Each specialized calculator page explains its specific formula and assumptions so you can adjust for your unique project.
What Makes Us Different
Real-Time Results
No button clicking. Results update as you type, so you can experiment with different widths and see instant comparisons.
Metric & Imperial
Switch between inches/yards and cm/meters with one click. Worldwide accuracy.
Project-Oriented
Specialized calculators for curtains, cushions, quilts, upholstery, clothing — not just a generic formula.
Cost-Conscious
Built-in cost estimator and suggested buy (rounded to standard ¼-yard cuts) so you know exactly what you'll spend.
Help Us Improve
Spotted an error? Have a project type we don't cover? We'd love to hear from you. Every piece of feedback from the sewing community makes this tool better for everyone.
In the meantime, try the fabric yardage calculator or browse our project guides for curtains, cushions, quilts, clothing, and upholstery.