Total fabric needed
— m
including 15% buffer for seam allowances and waste
Base (no buffer)
—
metres
Fabric width used
140 cm
selected width
💡 Sewing Tips
Pre-wash your fabric before cutting to account for shrinkage. Buy from the same dye lot for consistent colour. Round up to the nearest 0.5m when purchasing.
▶ 💰 Cost Estimator — how much does this project cost to make?
Cost per Project
—
Total fabric cost: —
Fabric—
Thread—
Pattern—
Notions—
Packaging—
Total per Project—
💲 Suggested Selling Price
Common pricing rule: multiply material cost by 3-5x to cover labor, fees and profit
🛒 Selling online? Calculate your real profit:
🛒 Selling sewing projects online? Use the
Cost Estimator above to calculate your material cost, then check your real profit on
Etsy,
eBay, or
Shopee with our free fee calculators.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much fabric do I need for a dress? +
A simple knee-length dress typically needs 2–3 metres of 140cm-wide fabric. A maxi dress needs 3–4.5 metres. Always add 10–15% extra for seam allowances, hems, and potential mistakes.
How do I calculate fabric for sewing? +
Measure your body (bust, waist, hips), choose a garment type, and account for fabric width. Most modern fabrics are 112–150cm wide. The formula differs per garment but generally: garment length × panels needed ÷ fabric width, plus 10–20% buffer.
How much fabric for a quilt? +
A queen quilt (220×240cm) needs approximately 6–8m total for the quilt top plus 5–6m for the backing and about 0.75m for binding. Add 15–20% for seams and waste between quilt blocks.
What seam allowance should I add? +
Standard seam allowance is 1.5cm (5/8 inch) for most garments. Hems typically need 2–3cm extra. Our calculator adds a buffer percentage (default 15%) to cover seams, hems, and cutting waste.
Does fabric width affect how much I buy? +
Yes, significantly. Narrow 90cm fabric often requires nearly double the length compared to 150cm fabric. Wider fabric is more efficient — this is why the fabric width setting matters so much in planning your purchase.