sewcalcs.uk
Garment Cost Calculator
Calculate the total cost of making a garment including materials and labour.
How We Calculate This
Cost Formula
Materials = Fabric Cost + Interfacing Cost + Notions (zip + buttons + thread)
Labour = Sewing Hours x Hourly Rate
Total Garment Cost = Materials + Labour
The retail comparison shows whether your handmade garment costs more or less than buying a similar item from a shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends. Basic garments from budget fabric can be cheaper than high street, but quality fabrics (Liberty, Italian wool) make handmade garments more expensive than mass-produced equivalents. The value is in fit, fabric choice, and uniqueness rather than cost savings.
If sewing is a hobby you enjoy, many sewers set the hourly rate to zero. For professional dressmaking or if pricing your work, a fair hourly rate reflects your skill. This calculator lets you set any rate including zero.
Budget cotton: £5–8/m. Mid-range cotton/linen: £10–18/m. Quality wool: £20–40/m. Liberty lawn: £25–35/m. Designer silk: £40–80/m. Interfacing: £2–6/m. Prices vary significantly by source and quality.
Include thread (£2–4 per reel), zippers (£1–5), buttons (£0.20–2 each), interfacing, elastic, bias binding, hook and eye closures, and any special tools or materials specific to the garment.
Related Calculators
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Pattern Matching Calculator
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Fabric Yardage Calculator
Calculate how much fabric you need based on project dimensions and fabric width.
Bias Binding Calculator
Calculate fabric needed to make continuous bias binding strips.
Bias Tape Calculator
Calculate the fabric square size needed to make bias tape and see how much tape a given square will yield.
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Last updated: June 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before cutting or purchasing fabric.