Estimating fabric

[Darren Henry]

I've had good success using this chart;

Patterned fabric additional yardage estimate chart
To use this chart, first add the fabric's vertical and horizontal repeats together (for example, a 10" vertical repeat plus its 17" horizontal repeat gives a 27" total). Then find the appropriate entry on the chart, and increase the yardage estimate by the percentage indicated.

For example: The yardage estimate is 8 yards of 54" wide fabric to cover a chair and the pattern on the fabric repeats horizontally every 17" and vertically every 10". Add up the repeats (17" + 10" = 27") and find the appropriate entry - 20% in this example. Twenty percent more fabric is needed to cover the chair while matching the pattern at the seams: 8 yards plus an extra 20 % is 9.6 yards.

Fabric Width    Plain Fabric    3" - 14" Repeat    15"-19" Repeat    20"-27" Repeat    28"-36" Repeat    37"-45" Repeat    46"-54" Repeat
54"    0%    10%    15%    20%    25%    30%    35%
50"-52"    10%    20%    25%    30%    35%    40%    45%


Railroaded fabric/pattern
Railroading refers to the direction of the pattern: up the roll or across the roll. Railroaded fabric is preferred for upholstering larger pieces of furniture without having to include seams (along the back of a couch for example).

   

Railroaded fabric - across the roll    Non-railroaded fabric - up the roll

[bobbin]

Thanks Darren!  I've copied that  and have tucked into the front pocket of my laptop's carrying case.  I will test it out and see if it helps me out with estimating goods.