How much upholstery fabric do you need? Yardage and cutting layout

Fabric is sold by roll length, but every panel must fit inside its usable width. Dividing total panel area by roll width does not solve layout, direction or the gaps between pieces. A cutting plan gives the upholsterer a better basis for an order.

Build a panel list

1. List seat, back, outside panels, arms and each cushion face. Record duplicate quantities.
2. Keep dimensions in one unit. Have the upholsterer set construction-specific seam, attachment and fitting allowances.
3. Confirm usable width, allowed orientation, pile direction and horizontal and vertical pattern repeat.
4. Lay out the panels inside the usable width. Do not rotate a panel unless the fabric direction permits it.
5. Total the occupied length, account for pattern placement and have the person doing the cutting confirm the purchase.

Convert units without mixing them

NIST defines one yard as exactly 0.9144 meters. Multiply yards by 0.9144 for meters, or divide meters by 0.9144 for yards. Keep one unit throughout your cutting layout.

An illustrative layout

With a usable width of 140 cm, four cut-ready 60 × 60 cm panels fit two per row. Two rows use 120 cm of roll length, about 1.31 yards before pattern, defects or other components. This is a layout example, not the yardage for a complete chair.