When shopping, you may find the fabric you’re looking for...and a whole lot more to inspire you. When you don’t have a particular pattern in mind but find fabric that would, for example, make a great pair of dress pants, you can use this guide to help you buy enough fabric when the creative mood strikes.
Because fabric also comes in several widths, and your pattern envelope may only give you yardage requirements for two widths, you can refer to this guide to buy the correct amount for the width of the fabric.
This project chart gives you a quick reference and approximate yardage requirements for Misses sizes 10 to 14 at an average height of 5 foot 4 inches. Other sizes will vary from 1/4 to 1/8 yard. For fabrics with a nap and/or one-way designs, add 1/4 yard for each yard specified. For plaids, add the length of one plaid repeat for each yard specified.
| Garment | Fabric Width 35-36 inches | Fabric Width 44-45 inches | Fabric Width 50 inches | Fabric Width 52-54 inches | Fabric Width 58-60 inches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pants, full length (add 1/4 yard for cuffs) | 3-1/4 yards | 2-5/8 yards | 2-5/8 yards | 2-1/4 yards | 2-1/4 yards |
| Pants, capri length | 2-3/4 yards | 2-1/4 yards | 2-1/8 yards | 2 yards | 1-1/2 yards |
| Shorts, bermuda length | 2-1/2 yards | 2-1/8 yards | 1-7/8 yards | 1-3/4 yards | 1-1/4 yards |
| Skirt, straight | 2 yards | 1-5/8 yards | 1-1/2 yards | 1-3/8 yards | 1-1/4 yards |
| Skirt, A-line | 2-1/4 yards | 1-3/4 yards | 1-5/8 yards | 1-1/2 yards | 1-3/8 yards |
| Skirt, softly gathered | 2-1/4 yards | 1-3/4 yards | 1-5/8 yards | 1-1/2 yards | 1-3/8 yards |
| Shirt/blouse, short sleeves | 2 yards | 1-5/8 yards | 1-1/2 yards | 1-3/8 yards | 1-1/4 yards |
| Shirt/blouse, long sleeves | 2-1/2 yards | 2-1/8 yards | 1-3/4 yards | 1-3/4 yards | 1-5/8 yards |
| Blouse, long sleeves with tie | 3-3/4 yards | 2-7/8 yards | 2-5/8 yards | 2-3/8 yards | 2-1/4 yards |
| Blouse, capped sleeves | 2 yards | 1-5/8 yards | 1-1/2 yards | 1-3/8 yards | 1-1/4 yards |
| Camisole, bias cut | 1-1/3 yards | 1-1/3 yards | 1-1/4 yards | 1-1/8 yards | 1 yard |
| Dress, short sleeves with straight skirt | 4-1/4 yards | 3-1/8 yards | 2-3/4 yards | 2-5/8 yards | 2-3/8 yards |
| Dress, long sleeves with straight skirt | 5 yards | 3-5/8 yards | 3-1/4 yards | 3-1/8 yards | 3 yards |
