Replies

1. 
   GailAnn | Dec 17, 2007 08:02pm | #1

   2 "lengths" plus 1 "sleeve length", add 6 inches for various hems and seam allowances and this is usually more than enough.  The exception would be a lot of front or collar detail, then just add another "length".  Gail

    

2. 
   sewelegant | Dec 22, 2007 11:03pm | #2

   I let this be a dilemma for me for a long time too until I took note just how much fabric I really needed for a basic blouse, skirt, pants, etc.  How long you need your pants, skirt, blouse, etc. is the key.  I need 2.5 yds. for pants.  At 5'3" this takes care of a 39" finished side seam plus a waist band and this works for x-lg to 1x.  I can always get the pockets cut out of the scraps.  If you can't cut out a front or back without opening the fabric, you need to measure to see how much more you need.  3 yds. will do it for me.  You can find a fabric conversion chart in many places, it tells you how to convert what you need in 45" wide if you are buying a 60" wide piece, etc.  I think there is one in the pattern catalogs on the page where they tell you about the different sizes.  Oh, yes, and then there is the question of shrinkage.  I purchased a length of stretch denim for pants and after I pre-washed it I ended up with 4" off the length and about 2" off the width.  What a bummer!  It was somewhere around $15 a yard and I purchased the 2.5 without giving a thought to fabric shrinkage.  Didn't save a penny there!  So, you have to take that into account.

   2.5 yds was my standard amt. for a blouse until I gained wt. and now it is 3 yds. too.

   I have lots of stash that is 2.5 yds. and I wish it were more so I could make something other than what I first intended, so I now buy at least 3 yds (4 yds. if I think I might want a dress) of anything that I can't resist.  (Does it ever end?)  Actually, I don't buy fabric like I used to, but I never know when I'll be in a place where there is something wonderful ... it's getting so scarce any more.  5 yds. is usually enough to make something matching like pants and vest.  I wrote this info on a card size paper for my wallet.

   If you are tall, your amounts will differ.  Good Luck.

1. 
   Gloriasews | Dec 30, 2007 12:56am | #5

   Sewelegant, for those beautiful pieces of fabric that you now don't have enough to sew what you'd originally planned, could you make sleeves, collars, trim, etc. with coordinating fabrics (usually a plain colour if your main fabric is a print) & still use the main fabric for the main pieces?  This would use up your stash - or make sleeveless or short-sleeve tops or shorts or pedal-pushers, etc. - or use it in home dec projects (pillows, quilts, etc.).  It's a shame to just let it sit abandoned :)

   Gloria

3. 
   dionna | Dec 23, 2007 07:29am | #3

   HI here's how I buy my fabric it depends on the width of the fabrics that catch my eye if the fabric is 45'' wide I will buy 5 1/2 to 6  yards without knowing what I will make with it that will be enough for a wardrobe and when I buy so fabric that's 60'' wide usually buy eight  yard's and my size is 10-12 depends on the cut of the pattern the reason I buy extra for a belt or something

    

4. 
   mscgal | Dec 24, 2007 01:30am | #4

   Thanks to everyone who posted to this thread, I appreciate your helpful responses. C.Gal

5. 
   jatman | Dec 31, 2007 09:18am | #6

   Hi mscgal!  I posted a question like this about a year ago and found this:

   http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/nmt037_35.asp

   It's pretty helpful.  I have to say that I round up and buy more material than I need because I figure I can always use the extra for trimming something else but I may not be able to find more if I run short for a project and I tend to buy a lot of materials while I'm travelling and know when I buy it that I won't be able to come back for more.

   The discussion I started is 6056.1 (you can do a search by discussion number).  There's a lot of info in there from people including a lot of off topic stuff but interesting just the same.

   Have fun!

   JT