What is a Yard of Fabric? Sizes & Conversions Made Easy

"What is a yard of fabric" is a good question. The simplest explanation is that a yard is the length of a fabric. The yard is an imperial measurement if you are part of the British measurement system. If you are American, it is known as the customary system. It is a different scale of measurement from the decimal measures of meters and centimeters.

What is a Yard of Fabric?

A yard of fabric measures exactly thirty-six inches and is measured along the length or selvage of the fabric. The yard is not a decimal measurement, and it can be broken into smaller measurements called feet and inches.

The yard is not affected by the width of the fabric because the widths of fabric (WOF) can be different. 

A yard of fabric is always 36 inches, while a fabric width can be between 33 to 44 inches.

How Big is a Yard of Fabric

The standard measurement for a yard of fabric is 3 feet or 36 inches. That compares with 91.44 centimeters or 0.9 meters in the metric system. The yard is shorter than the meter. 

In terms of a table of measurements, 36 inches make a yard, 12 inches make a foot, and 3 feet make a yard. 

It is important to remember the yard is only a length measurement. The fabric store will not count the width of the fabric. You will need to know both the length and width to determine the actual size of a yard of fabric.

You, as the dressmaker, have to work out what yardage you will need. A yard of a very wide fabric will be a lot of fabric, while a narrow fabric measured into a yard length will be much less.

How is Fabric Measured?

Fabric is measured directly from the bolt of the printed fabric. 

The length of the fabric is measured and cut by measuring out the required length along the selvage. The cut pieces can be measured by the yard, half yard, or quarter yard, but always on the length of the fabric. 

When you are cutting fabric using the yard measurement, half a yard will be the same as 18 inches of fabric, and a quarter yard will be 9 inches. These length measures are regardless of the width measurement.

The fabric shop should have tape or marked measurements in yards, feet, and inches on their cutting table.

A yard can be cut into various pre-cut fabric sizes, such as fat quarters. As the name implies, you will get 4 fat quarters per yard. These smaller pre-cuts are commonly used in quilting.

What is 1 Yard of Fabric?

A yard of fabric is always based on Imperial measurements. It is the length measured along the selvage of the fabric using a measure like a yardstick. It can only be measured by the length because the width measurements of fabric differ from one type of fabric to another. Typically 1 yard of fabric is a rectangle shape. A yard of fabric is always 36 inches in length.

What is the Width of 1 Yard of Fabric?

The widths of the fabric vary according to the type of fabric from the manufacturer. The widths range from 36 inches to 60 inches wide.  This means one fabric yard is not always the same quantity as another because the widths may differ, but the length is always the same.

What is the Width of Fabric by the Yard?

The width of the fabric, when buying a yard, differs according to the type of fabric and manufacturer. The widest measurement in the width is usually 60 inches (152cm).

• Sheeting and home decor fabrics are commonly 60 inches (152cm)
• Most apparel fabrics vary between 45 inches (114cm) to 60 inches (152cm).
• Quilting cotton is usually 44 inches (112cm) in width.

There are exceptions to this rule, and some material comes in a 110-inch width. 

It is important when asking for a yard of material to know the width because a yard of fabric 60 inches wide is very different from a yard of fabric that is 36 inches wide.  When buying fabric, keep in mind that narrower fabric will have greater wastage.

Most patterns will have the fabric requirements on the back of the pattern instructions giving different width measurements. This allows you to choose the length of fabric based on that particular pattern and the width of the fabric. 

How to Measure Fabric Width

The best method is to lay the fabric out as a single layer of fabric. Measure the width across the fabric from selvage to selvage. This measurement is vital to be able to have an accurate idea of the amount of fabric you will require for your dressmaking or craft sewing project. 

The width of fabric, known as the WOF is the distance between the outermost warp threads. 

The width gives you the space to place pattern pieces between the edges of the fabric. A yardstick is a useful tool to get an accurate measurement using it across the width of the fabric.

Another relevant factor is making sure your fabric is cut straight. The cutting line across the fabric must be straight to ensure the fabric measures the same on each side. Square up your fabric before you start to cut to ensure the weft and the threads going across the fabric are straight.

What is a Yard of Fabric Math Calculations

Calculating how big a yard of fabric can be is dependent on the width measurement. 

The square inch measurement gives the surface area of the piece of fabric.  Mathematically, length multiplied by breadth gives the square measurement. 

Fabric Yardage Conversion Chart

Here is a quick and easy yardage conversion chart with common yard lengths.

How to Convert Yards to Meters

One yard of fabric is the same as 0.9144m. To convert the yards into meters, multiply the number of yards by 0.9144, and the result will give you the meter measurement. 

For example, 15 yards to meters is: 15 X 0.9144 = 13.71 meters.

How to Convert Yards to Centimeters (Cm)

The best way to calculate this measurement is to calculate the yards to meters and then take the number of meters and convert them to centimeters by multiplying by 100. This will give you the centimeter measurement.

For example, 15 yards to centimeters is: 15 X 0.9144x100 = 1371 centimeters.

How to Convert Yards to Inches

A yard is equal to 36 inches. Therefore you multiply the number of yards you have by 36 to reach the number of inches in your yardage. 

For example, 2 yards of fabric to inches is: 2 x 36 =72 inches.

How to Convert Inches to Yards

The measurement for inches to yards is 36 inches. Therefore to convert more than one yard into inches, you have to divide the number of yards by 36 inches.

For example, 72 inches of fabric to yards is: 72 / 36 =2 yards.

How to Convert Meters to Yards

One meter is equal to 1.093 yards. You can measure your fabric and multiply the meters by the yards to get the decimal measurement. A chart of measurements helps because the yard equivalent to meters is not an easy-to-remember increment. 

Here is an easy conversion chart for meters to yards.

• 1 m = 1.0936 yards.
• 2 m = 2.1872 yards.
• 3 m = 3.2808 yards.
• 4 m = 4.3745 yards.

How to Convert Cm to Yards

The way to convert centimeters to yards is simply by dividing the number of yards in the length by 91.44.

For example, 183cm of fabric to yards is: 183 / 91.44 = 2 yards.

1-Yard Sewing Projects

The following sewing projects are based on using a yard of fabric. However, do remember the yard is just the length measurement, and the width measurement will change depending on the type of fabric you have. 

The yard of fabric you have may be a piece left over from a different project. It is important to work out the width you have, as this will affect the size of the piece of fabric you have to work with.

Here are some interesting and easy projects:

There are many simple clothing projects that use one yard of fabric - try baby rompers, little layered skirts, dog jackets for your fur kids, easy sling bags, and tote bags.  Drawstring bags and cross-body bags all fit into a yard of fabric.

The kitchen is an area of the house crying out for small fabric projects.  Aprons, oven gloves, fabric baskets, kitchen table runners, and tea cozies.

There really is no end to the lovely one-yard projects you can take on and make something for almost any area of your house. Using up your one-yard scraps makes lovely Christmas gifts to sew too.

How Much Does a Yard of Fabric Cost

The cost of a yard of fabric will vary enormously according to the type and quality of the fabric. The measured fabric using the length will be multiplied by the cost per yard or fraction of a yard. 

How Big is a Yard of Fabric FAQs

Here are some of your common questions answered about what is a yard of fabric and how big is a yard of fabric.

What does 1 yard of fabric look like?

A yard of fabric will always have the same length, which is 36 inches. It can, however vary in width. The yard is best measured with a yardstick. A yard can also be measured using the distance from the tip of your nose to the knuckle of your index figure. This is a rough estimate but may give you an idea of the way the yard looks in comparison to your body.

What are the dimensions of a yard and a half yard of fabric?

A yard of fabric is always 36 inches. Therefore half a yard of fabric is 18 inches. When your measurement requires a yard and a half, you add the 36 inches to the 18 inches, and the total is 54 inches. This is a yard and a half of fabric.

How long and wide are 2 yards of fabric?

Once again, the width of the fabric may vary from 36 inches to 45, 54, and 60 inches. The length never varies because a yard is a standard length measurement. A yard is 36 inches therefore, two yards is double that and is 72 inches using a tape measure or two-yard stick lengths.

How do I figure out how many yards of fabric I need?

The amount of fabric you need varies depending on the project you are working on. The other factor to consider is the width of the fabric. Making curtains, for example, will work best out of a very wide fabric. Curtaining fabric can be up to 100 inches wide. Fabric for clothing is usually 44-60 inches wide.  Remember, the wider the fabric, the less you need.

You need to ask yourself how big your project is. There may be multiple pieces of different sizes and shapes. You may have to allow for pleats, hems, frills, and seams. Some patterns on the fabric need to be carefully planned and pattern-matched because of how they repeat. 

Commercial patterns have the fabric requirements provided. If you have made your own pattern, then cut out a paper pattern and use that to work out how much fabric you need. Take into account pattern pieces that are repeated and seam allowances too. Your paper pattern and drawing a design on paper will help with choosing the right amount of fabric.

What are the dimensions of a yard in feet?

A yard simply measures 3 feet, and each of these feet measures 12 inches.

How many yards do you need to make a baby dress?

Once again, the fabric required depends on the width of the material. A baby's dress, if it is a simple pinafore dress, will only need twice the length of the dress on the child. Wider fabric will fit the front and back of the dress in one cut of the fabric. Narrower fabric may need double the width to allow for two sides of the dress at the length required.

Can 1 yard make a dress?

A great deal will depend on the style of the dress. A simple shift dress with capped sleeves and no frills or gathers will need twice the length of the person it is being made for. Generally, 2 yards would be a better allocation of fabric for a simple dress than one yard. An adult is likely to need more than 36 inches in the length of their dress.

What is a Yard of Fabric and How Big is a Yard of Fabric – In Conclusion

It is clear that the answer to the question of what is a yard of fabric is not straightforward or easy. The size of a yard of fabric depends on the width measurement of that fabric. The yard or length measurement is always 36 inches, but the width varies in size. 

If the width were the same as the length, you would have a square yard of fabric, but if the widths are different, this means a yard of fabric up to 120 inches wide is a big piece of fabric. However, a yard of fabric only 36 inches wide is not a big piece of fabric. 

Measuring the correct yardage for whatever pattern you are working on will always depend on the width of the fabric. 

Don't despair in working these fabric dimensions out. Using scraps for little projects is always an easy option. If you feel confident to start other things, then get out your yardstick and measure up your yard to your length.  Measure the width of the fabric and see how your pattern pieces fit into the big or small piece of material.