Why do fabric widths vary?

Different fabric types are woven on different width looms. Quilting cotton is typically 112cm (44″), dressmaking fabrics 137–150cm, and furnishing fabrics 137cm (54″). Imported fabrics may use different standard widths.

Is the conversion exact?

The conversion preserves total fabric area. In practice, you may need slightly more or less depending on how pattern pieces lay out on the different width. For narrow fabrics, some wide pieces may not fit across at all.

What if my piece is wider than the fabric?

If any single pattern piece is wider than the fabric bolt, you cannot simply convert — you will need to add a seam to split the piece, or choose a wider fabric. This calculator assumes all pieces fit within the bolt width.

SewCalcs

Fabric Width Converter — Convert Between Bolt Widths

Convert fabric requirements between different bolt widths. Perfect for when your fabric is a different width than the pattern specifies.

Original Length

Fabric length at the original width

Original Width

New Width

Width of your actual fabric

How We Calculate This

The conversion preserves total fabric area using a simple proportion:

The formula

New length = Original length × Original width ÷ New width

Result is rounded up to the nearest 10cm.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before cutting or purchasing fabric.