cm
cm
Why Use This Tool?
- Stop guessing and buy the right amount of fabric first time.
- Avoid the costly mistake of ordering too little patterned fabric.
- Instantly see how much extra fabric is needed for matching.
- Works for any project, from trousers and jackets to curtains.
How to Use It
- 1. Select your units (Metric or Imperial).
- 2. Enter the length of your longest pattern piece (e.g., a trouser leg).
- 3. Enter the vertical repeat of your fabric's pattern.
- 4. Enter the total number of identical pieces you need to cut.
- 5. Click "Calculate" to see the total fabric length required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "vertical pattern repeat"?
It's the distance from one point in a pattern to the next identical point, measured vertically along the fabric. This is usually listed on the fabric bolt.
Why do I need to buy extra fabric?
To ensure the pattern matches perfectly at the seams, each new piece you cut (like a second trouser leg) must start at the *exact same point* in the pattern repeat as the first. This means the fabric between repeats is often unusable.
What about "drop repeats" or "half-drop" patterns?
This calculator is for standard (straight) repeats. For half-drop repeats, the calculation is more complex, and you should add at least one extra full repeat to your final length as a safety measure.