How Much Fabric Do You Actually Need? A Yardage Guide for Common Clothing Items

One of the most common questions we get at the studio is some version of: "I want to make a dress; how many yards do I need?"

It's a simple question with a slightly complicated answer, because it depends on the garment, your size, your tailor's style of cutting, and whether you want to play it safe or cut it close.

This guide is written for a height of 5ft 4in (163cm), with a UK 12 on top and UK 14/16 on the bottom: a very common fit for Ghanaian women, who often carry more of their shape through the hips and thighs. If that's not your exact size, use these figures as a starting point and adjust up if you're larger, taller, or want a more generous cut.

One important thing before we start: Most Tampoori fabric comes in pre-cut 3-yard and 4-yard pieces. If you need something in between, say 3.5 yards,  just ask us, because we sometimes have 3+ yard pieces that sit between the two. Same goes for 4+ yards if you need a little more than 4 but less than 5.

With that said, here's what the most common garments typically need.

1. Midi Dress (fitted bodice, flared or A-line skirt, below the knee)

Recommended yardage: 3–4 yards

A fitted midi dress with an A-line skirt is one of the most popular styles made with Tampoori fabric, and for good reason. The swirl and movement of tie-dye looks beautiful in a skirt that has some volume to it.

For a UK 12/14 with fuller hips, you'll want at least 3 yards for a simpler silhouette. If your tailor likes a fuller skirt, or if the dress has sleeves, go to 4 yards. Better to have a little extra than to run short mid-cut.

Buy: 4 yards to be safe, or ask us about a 3+ yard piece if your tailor has confirmed 3 yards is enough for your specific pattern.

2. Maxi Dress (floor-length, fitted or relaxed fit)

Recommended yardage: 4 yards

A floor-length dress needs more fabric than people expect, especially through the hips. At 5ft 4in with a fuller lower half, the length from waist to floor alone accounts for a significant portion of your yardage, and a tailor will need extra to cut around your hips without the fabric pulling.

A simple, straight maxi can be done in 3 yards by a skilled tailor, but there's very little room for error. If you want any gathering, a wraparound style, or a built-in lining, you need 4 yards minimum.

Buy: 4 yards. This is not the garment to gamble on.

3. Wrap Skirt (midi or maxi length, self-tie)

Recommended yardage: 2–3 yards

A wrap skirt is one of the most fabric-efficient garments you can make, and one of the easiest to size because the wrap adjusts to your body. For a midi-length wrap skirt at UK 14/16 hips, 2.5 yards is comfortable. For a maxi-length wrap, you'll want closer to 3 yards.

Since we sell in 3-yard pieces as our smallest option, a 3-yard piece works perfectly here and gives your tailor a little extra to work with.

Buy: 3 yards.

4. Fitted Pencil Skirt (knee-length or midi)

Recommended yardage: 1.5–2 yards

At UK 14/16 hips, a knee-length pencil skirt rarely needs more than 2 yards. The challenge is that 2 yards is less than our smallest piece, which means if you're only making a pencil skirt, you'll have fabric left over.

The good news: leftover Tampoori fabric doesn't go to waste. A 3-yard piece gives you enough for a pencil skirt plus a matching top, bag, or set of napkins!

Buy: 3 yards, use the rest for a co-ord top or accessories.

5. Relaxed Wide-Leg Trousers (full length)

Recommended yardage: 3 yards

Wide-leg trousers are having a moment, and hand-dyed fabric in a wide-leg cut is one of the most striking things you can wear. At 5ft 4in and UK 14/16 through the hips and thighs, a full-length wide-leg trouser needs around 2.5–3 yards depending on how wide the leg is cut. A tailor who likes a generous leg will use closer to 3 yards.

Buy: 3 yards. Ask us about a 3+ yard piece if your tailor recommends a little extra.

6. Co-ord Set (matching crop top and midi skirt)

Recommended yardage: 3–4 yards

A co-ord set with matching top and skirt cut from the same fabric is one of the most popular ways to use Tampoori fabric, and it makes sense. When the fabric is this distinctive, having the full look in the same print makes a real statement.

For a crop or fitted top plus a midi skirt at UK 12 on top and UK 14/16 on the bottom, you'll need around 3 to 3.5 yards. If the skirt is fuller or longer, or if the top has sleeves, move to 4 yards.

Buy: Ask us about a 3+ yard piece first. If we don't have one, 4 yards gives you the room to work with.

7. Wrap Blouse or Relaxed Oversized Top

Recommended yardage: 1.5–2 yards

A simple wrap blouse or boxy oversized top at UK 12 can be made comfortably in 1.5 yards. Like the pencil skirt, this means a 3-yard piece will leave you with fabric to spare, which most of our customers are very happy about.

Buy: 3 yards, pair it with a skirt or trousers from the same piece for a co-ord, or save the rest for a future project.

8. Kaftan (loose, full-length, with or without sleeves)

Recommended yardage: 3–4 yards

A kaftan is one of the most forgiving garments to make and one of the best showcases for bold, hand-dyed fabric. The loose silhouette means sizing is flexible, but the length and width of a full kaftan still requires a decent amount of fabric. At 5ft 4in, a full-length kaftan with sleeves will need around 3.5 yards. Without sleeves, 3 yards is usually enough.

Buy: Ask us about a 3+ yard piece. If we don't have one, go to 4 yards.

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A Quick Reference

One Last Thing: Please Talk to Your Tailor Before You Buy

Every tailor cuts differently. Some are generous cutters who like extra fabric to work with. Some are precise and efficient. Some patterns require more fabric than others even for the same garment. The figures in this guide are solid starting points, but your tailor knows your body and your pattern better than we do.

Before you buy, show your tailor the fabric width (Tampoori fabric is 44–45 inches wide) and describe or sketch the garment you want. Ask them directly: how many yards do you need? Then come to us with that number and we'll tell you whether a 3-yard or 4-yard piece works or whether you need to ask about one of our in-between pieces.

We'd rather you have a conversation with us before you buy than end up a few inches short on cutting day.

You can reach us on WhatsApp or pop into either studio and we'll help you figure it out.

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Browse our fabric collections at tampoori.com or visit us in Accra. Spintex Road (Baatsona) · Open Mon–Sat, 9am–6pm Labone Crescent · Open Mon–Sat, 10am–7pm