INTRODUCTION

Standing in the fabric store surrounded by bolts of gorgeous colors can be

exciting – or intimidating. How can you make sure you have enough fabric for your next
project before you’re standing at your cutting table? The key to answering this question
is knowing the width of fabric you have available to you.
The standard width of a fabric bolt can be anywhere from 35 inches to 108
inches. The best way to find the width of your fabric is to measure it on a flat surface.
Before you get that far, however, you can estimate the width based on factors like the
type of material, where you’re buying, and how the fabric is folded on the bolt. Until you
know the width of your fabric, you won’t know how many yards you need.

What Is the Width of Fabric (WOF)?

- Width Of Fabric is often written in quilt patterns stitching pattern as “WOF” ginagamit
nila term when it comes in sewing WOF meaning is. From selvedge edge to selvedge
edge is the width of the fabric.
- it is the distance from one selvedge to the other, measured perpendicular to the length
of the fabric.
- In sewing, the WOF is the amount of space you have to place your pattern pieces
between selvage edges.
The width of fabric is usually measured in inches 54”, 72” and 118” wide. Varying a
fabric’s width may allow for maximum efficiency (use of fabric).

The selvedge of your fabric is there to protect the fabric from fraying or unraveling. It is
usually about 1inch or less in width.

There are some easy ways to find the selvedge on your fabric.
 Sometimes there are teeny tiny, dotted holes around this thicker edge
 Sometimes companies print their name on the selvedge. 

It’s important to understand fabric widths, so you can always buy the right amount of
fabric. Most bolts of fabric are labeled, but sometimes you need to make an educated
guess. For those situations, here’s a quick, basic guide.
20″
Generally, the only material this narrow is interfacing. It doesn’t need to come in wide
widths, since you mostly use it on small pattern pieces (waistbands, collars, facings,
etc.).

20″ Interfacing
36″
Many vintage fabrics are narrower than the current standard, measuring 36″ wide or
less. If you’re looking at modern fabrics in this width, they’re probably utilitarian (muslin,
cotton duck, etc.).
45″
This is the standard width for quilting cottons and apparel fabric.
45″ Lining Fabric

54″
Upholstery and home decorating fabrics are usually wider than average. This is
because they’re used for home décor, and you wouldn’t want a seam running through
the middle of your sofa cushions, right?

Bolts of Home Dec Fabric

60″
Non-standard apparel fabrics (knit jersey, corduroy, twill, etc.) tend to come in wider-
than-average widths.
90″ – 100″
While it’s rare to find fabric that’s wider than 60″, they do make quilt backings and
sheeting fabrics that are extremely wide. They’re more expensive than standard widths
—likely because you’re getting a lot more fabric per yard. Example fabric wall panel
bedroom or sa living room.

Width of Fabric or WOF

1.) Lay the fabric and align the selvedge to selvedge.

2.) In this photo, you can see the entire piece of

fabric. It is folded and it is aligned selvedge to
selvedge.

3.)  After the two edges are aligned, use your

hands to smooth the fabric flat on the cutting mat.
 4.) Indications of the fold and the selvedge.

5.) When a pattern calls for cutting WOF, this is

the intended direction.

What Is Single Width Fabric?

Single-width fabric refers to any fabric that’s wrapped around the bolt unfolded. When
you unroll a single-width fabric, you’ll only have one layer on your cutting table. The
selvage edges will be on opposite sides of the fabric, and you’ll be able to clearly see
the right and wrong sides of the fabric. Single-width fabric is usually wrapped around the
bolt with the right side facing outwards, so you can see it.
What Is Double Width Fabric?
Double width fabric is a fabric that is folded in half widthwise before the manufacturer
wraps it around the bolt. When you unwrap this fabric, the selvage edges will be on the
same side, and the opposite side will have a fold.
Like for example: Single width is usually about 27" wide, from selvedge to selvedge.
Double width is, well, double that, so 54".

How to Measure Usable Width of Fabric?

Measuring the width of your fabric is easy – all you need is a large flat surface and a
yardstick or other measuring tool. Lay your fabric out flat, smoothing out any wrinkles.
Make sure you’ve unfolded it so that you can see both selvage edges.

https://youtu.be/ppfq3FlLRKY

Fabric Width Conversion Chart

Use the chart below as a handy guide for converting the yardage for various fabric
widths. The most common yardage requirements are listed.

. The largest yardage on this chart is 2 yards of 60-inch fabric, but the conversion is
the same for any yardage; just swap the whole number for the yardage you need (i.e. if
you need 4 yards of 60 inch, you could use 4 ¾ yards of 35 inch).

Why Is Fabric Width Important?

Fabric width is important because it will help you determine how many yards of
fabric you’ll need to complete your pattern. For example, if you have a quilting pattern
that calls for 5 yards of a fabric with a WOF of 45 inches, but you want to use a fabric
that has a shorter WOF, you’ll know you need more than 5 yards to complete the
pattern.
 Most patterns for sewing or quilting projects will give you both a yardage
requirement and a WOF measurement. Knowing these two measurements is the only
way to guarantee you’ll have the right amount of fabric for your project before you start
cutting.

Conclusion
Fabric comes in a variety of widths, based on the type of fabric and its intended
use. Even though there is a variety, there are easy tricks to figuring out the right amount
of yardage for your project. Knowing the width of your fabric is the first step for making
the perfect project.

https://silverbobbin.com/width-of-fabric/?
fbclid=IwAR10ZMBhh38zDYsqf7vFRICZoPQTozDW_cixybgbCAmi2wOsvqOq5v74IAA
https://gioiamiastudio.com/selvedge-width-of-fabric/#:~:text=The%20selvedge%20of
%20your%20fabric,1inch%20or%20less%20in%20width.
http://yesterdaysthimble.com/fabric-widths/