T-shirt: fabric requirements by size (chart)
T-shirt, size EU 38 (US 6), default options: 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) of fabric 140 cm (55 in) wide. Across women's sizes EU 32 to 54 the amount runs from 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) to 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd). The tables give every size at 110, 140 and 150 cm (45, 55 and 60 in) widths; add extra for a nap, stripes or a print you want to match.
Fabric needed by size
Women's sizes (EU, US, UK)
| Size | 110 cm wide (45 in) | 140 cm wide (55 in) | 150 cm wide (60 in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU 32 · US 0 · UK 4 | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) |
| EU 34 · US 2 · UK 6 | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) |
| EU 36 · US 4 · UK 8 | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) |
| EU 38 · US 6 · UK 10 | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) |
| EU 40 · US 8 · UK 12 | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) |
| EU 42 · US 10 · UK 14 | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) |
| EU 44 · US 12 · UK 16 | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) |
| EU 46 · US 14 · UK 18 | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) |
| EU 48 · US 16 · UK 20 | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) |
| EU 50 · US 18 · UK 22 | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) |
| EU 52 · US 20 · UK 24 | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) |
| EU 54 · US 22 · UK 26 | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) |
Men's sizes
| Size | 110 cm wide (45 in) | 140 cm wide (55 in) | 150 cm wide (60 in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) |
| S | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) |
| M | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) |
| L | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) | 1.8 m (2 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) |
| XL | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) |
| XXL | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) |
| 3XL | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) | 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd) |
Children's sizes (age in years)
| Size | 110 cm wide (45 in) | 140 cm wide (55 in) | 150 cm wide (60 in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 y | 1.2 m (1 3/8 yd) | 1.2 m (1 3/8 yd) | 1.2 m (1 3/8 yd) |
| 4 y | 1.3 m (1 1/2 yd) | 1.3 m (1 1/2 yd) | 1.3 m (1 1/2 yd) |
| 6 y | 1.3 m (1 1/2 yd) | 1.3 m (1 1/2 yd) | 1.3 m (1 1/2 yd) |
| 8 y | 1.4 m (1 5/8 yd) | 1.4 m (1 5/8 yd) | 1.4 m (1 5/8 yd) |
| 10 y | 1.5 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.4 m (1 5/8 yd) | 1.4 m (1 5/8 yd) |
| 12 y | 1.8 m (2 yd) | 1.5 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.5 m (1 3/4 yd) |
| 14 y | 1.9 m (2 1/8 yd) | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) |
How the options change the amount
Length, fullness and sleeves change the amount more than size does. These figures are for fabric 140 cm (55 in) wide, four women's sizes and every choice of one option, with all other options at their defaults.
| Fit | EU 36 | EU 40 | EU 44 | EU 48 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitted | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) |
| Regular | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) |
| Relaxed | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) |
| Oversized | 1.9 m (2 1/8 yd) | 1.9 m (2 1/8 yd) | 1.9 m (2 1/8 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) |
| Sleeves | EU 36 | EU 40 | EU 44 | EU 48 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeveless | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 1.8 m (2 yd) |
| Short | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) | 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) |
| Elbow | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 2.2 m (2 1/2 yd) | 2.2 m (2 1/2 yd) |
| Three-quarter | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 2.3 m (2 5/8 yd) | 2.3 m (2 5/8 yd) |
| Long | 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) | 1.7 m (1 7/8 yd) | 2.5 m (2 3/4 yd) | 2.5 m (2 3/4 yd) |
How these numbers are worked out
Sewly drafts the pattern at each standard size with its drafting engine, seam allowances included (1.5 cm / 5/8 in on woven fabric and 1 cm / 3/8 in on knits by default). It then lays the pieces on fabric folded selvedge to selvedge at each width, adds 8 % plus 10 cm for squaring the ends and shrinkage, and rounds up to the next 10 cm. Large plain rectangles such as waistbands are counted. The same inputs give the same figure every time: nothing here is an AI estimate. Pieces are placed as rectangles around their outlines, so the figures are cautious: an experienced cutter can sometimes nest tighter.
Frequently asked questions
How much fabric do I need for this pattern (T-shirt)?
T-shirt, size EU 38 (US 6), default options: 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) of fabric 140 cm (55 in) wide. Across women's sizes EU 32 to 54 the amount runs from 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) to 2.1 m (2 3/8 yd). Find your size in the table.
What if my fabric is narrower or wider than 140 cm?
T-shirt, size EU 38 (US 6), default options: 2.0 m (2 1/4 yd) at 110 cm wide, 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) at 140 cm and 1.6 m (1 3/4 yd) at 150 cm. Narrower fabric usually needs more length because fewer pieces fit side by side.
Do I need extra fabric for a print, a nap or stripes?
Yes. The pieces then have to face one way or line up at the seams, which wastes fabric; many sewists add roughly a tenth to a fifth of the length. Buy the extra before you cut. More on nap in the glossary.
Do these figures match the pattern's own cutting layout?
Yes. The sewing guide Sewly makes for your pattern uses the same cutting layout, with your exact measurements and options.
Keep going
T-shirt sewing pattern
Fabric yardage calculator (your own measurements)
How much fabric do I need? Reading fabric quantities
Jersey knit for beginners: T-shirts that do not wave
Why jersey seams go wavy and how to stop it: which knit to buy, the stretch test, needle and stitch settings, neckband ratios and stable T-shirt hems.
Sew your first T-shirt that fits
Your first T-shirt: pick jersey with enough stretch, choose the ease, cut the neckband at 85 % of the neckline and sew it flat on a regular sewing machine.
How to sew a neckband on a T-shirt that lies flat
Sew a T-shirt neckband that lies flat: cut the band at 80–85 % of the neckline, quarter it, stretch only the band as you sew, press and topstitch.