Tuck Calculator — Pin Tucks & Decorative Tucks
Calculate fabric needed for pin tucks, released tucks and decorative tuck details.
How We Calculate This
Each tuck takes up twice its width in fabric, because the fold doubles back on itself — a finished 0.25cm pin tuck eats 0.5cm of fabric. The number of tucks that fit is set by how far apart you space them: each tuck repeat occupies one tuck width plus the spacing gap.
The formula
Number of tucks = Finished width ÷ (Tuck width + Spacing), rounded down to a whole tuck
Extra fabric = Number of tucks × Tuck width × 2
Total fabric width = Finished width + Extra fabric + (2 × Seam allowance)
The ×2 is the “intake” — the fold has two sides. Heavily corded or decorative tucks can take up to ×2.5, which you can set with the Tuck Fabric Multiplier under Advanced Options. Seam allowance defaults to 0cm because the finished width is usually the panel you have already drafted with seams.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before cutting or purchasing fabric.