Replies

1. 
   sewchris703 | Jan 19, 2010 12:10am | #1

   Ask at the cutting table. They might have a conversion chart at the cutting table. Here's one at the Butterick website. http://www.butterick.com/tech/fabwidth/fabwidth.html

   Chris

2. 
   cafms | Jan 19, 2010 12:12am | #2

   Usually a fabric store will have a chart or can give you the conversion to 45" width. One caution is that you need to check the size of the various pieces of the pattern to be sure a piece doesn't only fit on a 60" width fabric. If it will only fit on the 60" you may have to piece the fabric to make it work in which case it will change the design some. Or it could become a design detail.

3. 
   Teaf5 | Jan 19, 2010 12:46am | #3

   The best way to determine yardage if not included on the envelope is to lay out all the pieces on a length of 45" fabric, checking nap, single and double pieces. A pattern that calls only for 60" fabric is likely to be either for knits only or has pieces that are wider than 45". You may be able to cut it on the crossgrain of 45" fabric, but conversion charts aren't nearly as accurate as a sample layout on real (if inexpensive) fabric.

4. 
   Palady | Jan 19, 2010 06:24am | #4

   Teaf5's post is right on the
   Teaf5's post is right on the mark.

   If you can, look at the layout plan on the instruction sheet to see how the pattern sections are placed to give an idea as to why 60" is called for.

   Time was - way back when - fabrics came in 28" or 30" widths, eventually to 36". Now 45" & 60".

   nepa

1. 
   stillsuesew | Jan 19, 2010 12:59pm | #5

   I agree with the practice layout. You probably have a piece of 45" width fabric available or it is easy to measure it out on a counter or table.

1. 
   Ceeayche | Jan 21, 2010 08:11pm | #6

   I've even gone into the store
   I've even gone into the store during a slow time and laid it out on the fabric on the cutting table.

5. 
   sewfar | Jan 24, 2010 06:39pm | #7

   And keep in mind that 45 wide is not always actually 45 inches wide these days and the same for 60.