Buy too little and you are back at the shop halfway through the project, hoping the same print is still there. Buy too much and the extra sits in a drawer. This chart takes the guesswork out.
Every figure below is worked out for our quilting cotton, which is 112 cm wide and sold by the half metre. After trimming the woven edges, called selvedges, you can rely on about 108 cm of usable width.
How our fabric is sold
The half metre
50 cm long and the full 112 cm wide. Order two for a metre, three for 1.5 m, and so on; it is cut as one continuous piece.
The fat quarter
Found in our fat quarter bundles: about 46 x 56 cm, a squarer shape that suits patchwork and small projects.
The chart
| Project | Finished size | Fabric to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Cushion cover | 40 or 45 cm | 0.5 m |
| Cushion cover | 50 cm | 1 m |
| Cushion cover | 60 cm | 1.5 m |
| Lined tote bag | About 38 x 41 cm | 0.5 m outer + 0.5 m lining |
| Zip pouches, lined | About 20 x 15 cm | 0.5 m outer + 0.5 m lining makes 4 |
| Adult apron with bib | About 70 x 85 cm | 1 m |
| Napkins | 40 cm square | 0.5 m makes 2 |
| Placemats, set of 4 | About 30 x 45 cm | 1 m front + 1 m back |
| Table runner | About 35 x 210 cm | 1 m top + 1 m back |
| Bunting | 12 flags, about 3 m | 1 m |
| Drawstring gift bags | About 25 x 28 cm | 0.5 m makes 2 |
| Scrunchies | Standard | 0.5 m makes about 10 |
| Pillowcase | Standard 50 x 75 cm | 1 m body + 0.5 m cuff |
| Child's gathered skirt | Age 4 to 6 | 1 m |
| Quilts | Baby to 6 by 6 bed | See our quilt size guide |
The table runner is made from two 108 cm strips joined end to end, so it fits a half metre's width without waste.
The tote bag trick
Cut the two bag pieces side by side across a half metre, each 40 x 43 cm. That leaves a 7 cm strip across the full width, long enough for a shoulder strap. Do the same with the lining and you have both straps.
When to buy extra
You plan to pre-wash. Good cotton shrinks a little, typically 2 to 5% in each direction. On a metre that can be 5 cm. Add a little if your measurements are tight.
The print has a direction. If everything must point the same way, such as animals or text, you may not be able to turn pieces to fit them in.
The print must match across a seam. Large repeats need more fabric to line up.
You are a beginner. An extra half metre lets you recut a piece without a second trip.
Using a pattern in yards?
One yard is 91.4 cm, so 1 m is about 1.1 yards. Convert, then round up to the next half metre. A pattern asking for 1 yard needs 1 m from us; 2 yards needs 2 m.
Tell us your project
Send us the pattern or a photo and we will work out exactly how much to buy, at our shop at Muthaiga Mini Market or on WhatsApp.
Shop quilting fabricOr message us on 0798 316 860
Quantities assume 108 cm of usable width and simple layouts. Directional and large prints may need more. Shrinkage figures from All About Quilts and HC Quilts.
