Buying fabric by the meter: How to plan the perfect amount of fabric for your sewing project
A tailor-made garment or a handcrafted home accessory is more than just a product—it's an expression of style, care, and individuality. To ensure your sewing project is as flawless as you envision, it all starts with properly planning the amount of fabric. Buying fabric by the meter means not only choosing a beautiful material, but also carefully calculating the cost.
Below we will show you how to determine the right amount of fabric precisely and elegantly – so that your project is successful without compromising on quality or fit.
1. The right preparation: Your pattern is the key
Before choosing a fabric type, you should carefully study your pattern. This usually gives you precise information about how much fabric you'll need, depending on the size, style, and fabric width.
Our tip: Pay particular attention to the specified fabric width. The most common widths are 140 cm and 150 cm. The same pattern can require significantly more material for narrower fabrics.
2. Consider cutting and pattern progression
A fabric comes to life through its design—be it a floral print, a subtle stripe pattern, or opulent embroidery. To ensure a harmonious pattern, you may need more fabric than indicated in the pattern.
Consider:
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Pattern repetitions (rapport)
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Grain direction of the fabric (e.g. velvet or corduroy)
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Symmetry of front and back parts
This way you can preserve the aesthetic appeal of your project and avoid unwanted breaks in the design.
3. Include extras: For elegant details and professional workmanship
A seam allowance is more than a technical necessity—it's a guarantee for long-lasting, perfectly formed results. You should also factor in hems, pleats, and gathers during the planning stage.
Guidelines for additional fabric allowances:
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Seam allowance: +1.0–1.5 cm per seam
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Hem: +3–5 cm, depending on fabric and desired finish
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Gathering: up to double the amount of fabric, depending on the volume
4. Luxury in detail: linings, insoles, etc.
For an all-around perfect result, you should also consider complementary materials. A fine dress only gains its elegance from the right lining, and a structured coat its shape from the right interlining.
Plan for these materials separately – you usually need about the same amount of lining fabric as you do the main fabric, but less is often enough for interlinings.
5. Better safe than sorry: plan for fabric reserves
Especially with high-quality fabrics or limited-edition collections, it's advisable to plan for a small reserve. This way, you'll be well prepared for any mistakes, subsequent adjustments, or accessories made from the same material (e.g., belts, bag linings).
Recommended reserve:
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simple projects: +10%
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complex projects or sample fabrics: +15–20%
Conclusion: Planning for perfection
Purchasing fabric by the yard is the first step toward a stylish, unique sewing project. Careful planning of fabric quantities, consideration of patterns and details, and a little extra margin will set you up for excellence—whether you're sewing a bespoke dress or creating an elegant home textile.
Our advice: Invest in quality—both in materials and planning. Because true beauty begins with preparation.