Shorts Fabric Yardage Calculator
Calculate fabric yardage for shorts including Bermuda, dress, casual, and athletic styles.
Shorts Styles and Their Yardage Requirements
I made my first pair of Bermuda shorts without accounting for the extra inseam, and they ended up more like dress shorts — a happy accident that taught me to always check the inseam measurement on the pattern envelope before buying fabric. Shorts are one of the most satisfying garments to sew because they use relatively little fabric and come together quickly. Bermuda shorts use the most at about 1.25 yards for size M, while dress shorts and athletic shorts are more economical at 1 yard. The inseam length is the main driver — longer Bermuda shorts simply need more fabric than shorter styles.
Casual shorts fall in the middle at 1.5 yards for size M, partly because relaxed-fit styles have wider leg openings. If you are making shorts with a waistband and belt loops, add about 0.15 yards. For lined shorts, double the yardage or use a lightweight lining fabric.
Fabric Recommendations for Different Shorts Styles
For Bermuda shorts, I recommend medium-weight fabrics like cotton twill, denim, or linen that hold their shape. For dress shorts, go with wool suiting, tropical weight wool, or stretch woven fabrics. For casual shorts, cotton chino, seersucker, and linen blends are perfect. For athletic shorts, use performance fabrics like polyester-spandex blends, nylon, or moisture-wicking knits.
You Might Also Need
Shorts projects pair well with pants. These guides cover related topics:
- Pants Fabric Yardage — fabric needs for trousers, dress pants, casual pants, and palazzo pants
- Clothing Fabric Yardage — complete guide for all garment types
- How to Calculate Fabric Yardage — master the formula behind every sewing project