Fabric widths explained: 36, 44 and 58 inch and why they matter

Common widths in inches and centimetres

These are the widths you are most likely to see on labels and in fabric shops. The centimetre figures are rounded.

• 36 inch (about 91 cm): a traditional width for some handloom and Indian cottons, and exactly one yard.
• 44 to 45 inch (about 112 to 114 cm): the classic dressmaking width for cottons, lawns and many printed fabrics.
• 54 inch (about 137 cm): found on some linens, suitings and heavier fabrics.
• 58 to 60 inch (about 147 to 152 cm): wide fabrics, including many polyesters, crepes and jerseys. In European fabric shops, widths around 140 to 150 cm are common.

How width changes the metres you need

As a rough guide, a straight, knee-length kameez takes about 2.5 metres of 44 to 45 inch fabric, as our fabric quantity guide sets out. On 58 to 60 inch fabric, the same design may need less length, because the sleeves can often be cut beside the body pieces. On 36 inch fabric, expect to need more. Unstitched suit pieces vary by brand and fabric, so check the width on the label rather than assuming it, and where only metres are given, ask the seller.

• Flared kameez: width limits how much flare each panel can have, so narrow fabric may mean more panels and more seams.
• Larger sizes: the wider the pieces, the fewer fit side by side, so larger sizes on narrow fabric often need extra length.
• Directional prints and borders: a border printed along the selvedge has to run round the hem, which fixes how the pieces are laid out.
• Dupattas: a dupatta is usually cut across the full width, so the width becomes its depth. Our dupatta sizes guide covers typical sizes.

Metres, yards and conversions

In the UK and most of Europe, fabric is sold by the metre; in the USA, usually by the yard. One yard is 91.44 cm, a little shorter than a metre, so 3 yards is about 2.74 metres and you need roughly 2.75 yards to match 2.5 metres. One metre is about 39.4 inches. If you shop in both systems, convert before buying and round up rather than down, because a few centimetres short can rule out a sleeve or a border.

Our guide to measuring in inches or centimetres covers the same question for body measurements, and our USA page explains ordering from the States.

Buying fabric by the metre

When you buy fabric for a kameez, note three things before you pay: the width, the length and whether the design is one-way. In a shop, if the width is not marked on the roll, measure it yourself from selvedge to selvedge, and note the usable width inside the selvedges too. Online, the width is usually in the product details; if it is missing, ask before ordering rather than guessing.

Our guide to buying fabric by the metre walks through the rest. If you are unsure how much you need, send the width and your design on the stitching quote form before you buy, and we’ll confirm the amount in your quote. Or choose Fabric + Stitching, where we supply the agreed fabric and make the outfit.