How to Measure Fabric

Before you begin your next sewing project, you should measure your fabric to ensure that you have enough to construct and assemble your pattern without having to piece in additional patches. Find out how to properly measure fabric.

1. First: Pre-wash the material

   If your fabric is washable and you plan to wash your finished project in a washing machine, make sure that you have pre-washed your fabric before you even begin to measure it. Different fabrics require different temperatures and detergents; you should pre-wash at the hottest setting appropriate for your fabric to ensure that it shrinks as much as it is likely to before you begin. Likewise, if you plan on drying your final project in a dryer, use the dryer at the hottest setting that the fabric can tolerate.

2. Second: Measure the length of the fabric

   Fold the fabric in half lengthwise to measure the length of the fabric. Consider the dimensions of any extra pieces or remnants you may have; you can use these for smaller parts of a project such as sleeves, collars or patch pockets. It is best to use a rigid ruler or yardstick for measuring fabrics – a clear plastic ruler is optimal, so you can see through the plastic and get a more precise measurement – but you can use a measuring tape in a pinch.

3. Third: Measure the width of your fabric

   There is no standard width for every fabric. Quilting cottons are often 40 to 45 inches wide; upholstery fabrics are often around 50 to 54 inches wide. Examine the fabric's selvage edges, and consider whether they are appropriate for your project; sometimes you can hide the selvage in the seam allowance, but if the selvages look too odd, you may have to cut them off, eliminating even more of the width of your fabric. Measure the usable width of your fabric, either within the selvages or just to the very edge of the fabric.