How to Measure Bolt Fabric
Buying fabric can be somewhat overwhelming, especially for the uninitiated. Fabric stores sell fabric wrapped in something called a bolt. Bolts of fabric have a set width, but the length of the fabric you are buying will be measured in yards. Measuring for the amount of fabric that you need for a project is simple once you understand the basic math involved.. If you are working from a pattern or for a class, generally, instructions will communicate the amount of fabric required in yards. Most fabric stores will cut the fabric for you, but it is still helpful to know exactly how much you are getting.
Instructions
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1
Lay the bolt of fabric at one end of the long table.
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2
Unroll the fabric slowly, unrolling only as much as will lie flat across the surface of the table.
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3
Measure the fabric's length in inches using a measuring tape.
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4
Divide the number of inches you measured in Step 3 by 36. The number you arrive at is the number of yards of fabric that you have.
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5
Unroll the fabric further and repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you have the desired amount of fabric. It may help to fold the already measured fabric back on top of the new fabric that you are unrolling to avoid mismeasuring.
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Tips & Warnings
If you do not have a measuring tape available, an option can be to hold your fabric up to the top of an exterior door. Most exterior doors measure 36 inches, or 1 yard, exactly.
It can also be helpful to use your own height as a guide if you know your height definitively in inches, although holding the fabric up in the air may make it difficult to get a completely accurate measurement.
