---
title: Calculating fabric requirements
description: How to work out how many metres of fabric you need for curtains, Roman blinds, cushions and upholstery.
---

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# Calculating fabric requirements

## How to work out how many metres of fabric you need for curtains, Roman blinds, cushions and upholstery.

Four factors determine how much [fabric](https://www.meinewand.com/en/fabrics) you need: the area, the fullness allowance, the usable fabric width and the pattern repeat (the length after which the pattern repeats). You will find all values except the area in the product details. We sell fabrics in whole metres, so always round your result up.

Would you rather not do the maths yourself? Our sewing service will calculate the quantity for you: [Request for quotation: Curtains and drapes](https://support.meinewand.com/en/request-for-quotation-curtains-and-drapes?hsLang=en), [Roman blinds](https://support.meinewand.com/en/request-for-quotation-roman-blinds?hsLang=en), [Cushion](https://support.meinewand.com/en/request-for-quotation-cushion?hsLang=en).

**Curtains in five steps**

1. **Measure the width:** Measure the length of the curtain pole or track, not the window.
2. **Fullness allowance:** Multiply the width by the fullness factor of your heading. Guide values: eyelets and tab tops factor 1.5 to 2, gathering tape factor 2 to 2.5, wave tape factor 2 to 2.5.
3. **Calculate the widths:** Divide the total width by the [usable fabric width](https://support.meinewand.com/en/nutzbare-stoffbreite?hsLang=en) and round up to whole or half widths.
4. **Cut length per width:** Finished drop plus about 25 cm for heading and hem. For patterned fabrics, round the cut length up to a multiple of the pattern repeat so that the pattern sits at the same height on all widths.
5. **Total quantity:** Number of widths times cut length. For patterned fabrics, allow one extra pattern repeat to align the first width.

**Formula:** metres = widths × cut length (rounded to the repeat) + 1 repeat

**Worked example**

Pole 240 cm, finished drop 250 cm, gathering tape (factor 2), usable fabric width 137 cm, pattern repeat 73 cm.

| Step | Calculation | Result |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total width | 240 cm × 2 | 480 cm |
| Widths | 480 cm ÷ 137 cm = 3.5 | 4 widths (two curtains of 2 widths each) |
| Cut length | 250 cm + 25 cm = 275 cm, rounded up to 4 repeats of 73 cm | 292 cm |
| Total quantity | 4 × 292 cm + 73 cm | 12.41 m → **order 13 m** |

Without a pattern it would be 4 × 275 cm = 11 m. In this example, the pattern repeat therefore costs 2 m more.

**Roman blinds**

Add about 10 cm to the finished width for the side hems and about 20 cm to the finished drop for the hem and fixing. If the blind is wider than the usable fabric width, it needs a seam. For patterned fabrics, allow one extra repeat so that the motif is centred.

**Cushions**

For a 50 × 50 cm cushion including seam allowance, you need two pieces of about 53 × 53 cm. One metre of 137 cm wide plain fabric gives you up to four cushion covers. If a large motif is to be centred, you may only get one cover per pattern repeat.

**Upholstered furniture (guide values for 137 cm width, without pattern)**

| Furniture | Fabric required |
| --- | --- |
| Chair seat | 0.5 to 1 m |
| Dining chair with back | 1 to 1.5 m |
| Armchair | 5 to 7 m |
| Two-seater sofa | 9 to 11 m |
| Three-seater sofa | 12 to 15 m |

For patterned fabrics, add 10 to 25 %, depending on the repeat. Your upholsterer will determine the exact amount on the piece itself; these values are only for initial planning.

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