How much fabric for a kameez by height?

Height bands for knee and calf length

Each line gives the knee-length amount first and the calf-length amount second, with approximate yards.

• Under 157 cm (5 ft 2 in): 2.25 m (2.5 yards) for knee length; 2.5 to 2.75 m (2.75 to 3 yards) for calf length.
• 157 to 165 cm (5 ft 2 in to 5 ft 5 in): 2.5 m (2.75 yards); 2.75 to 3 m (3 to 3.5 yards).
• 165 to 173 cm (5 ft 5 in to 5 ft 8 in): 2.5 to 2.75 m (2.75 to 3 yards); 3 m (3.5 yards).
• Over 173 cm (5 ft 8 in): 2.75 to 3 m (3 to 3.5 yards); 3 to 3.25 m (3.5 to 3.75 yards).

How the figures are worked out

On fabric of this width the front and back of a kameez are cut one below the other, so the body takes twice the finished length. Hems, shoulder seams, neckline facings and a small margin for shrinkage and uneven cut ends add about 16 inches (40 cm). In small and medium sizes the sleeves come out of the spare width beside the body, so they add nothing.

A knee-length kameez is usually around three fifths of your height and a calf-length one around seven tenths, which is where the bands come from. The useful rule is that every extra 2 inches (5 cm) on the kameez adds 4 inches (10 cm) to the fabric. If you already know the length you like, from our guide to kameez length for your height or from a kameez you own, double it, add 16 inches (40 cm) and round up to the next quarter metre.

When to add more than your height suggests

• Bust or hips over about 44 inches (112 cm): the sleeves may no longer fit beside the body. Add 0.65 to 0.75 m for a pair of full sleeves.
• A-line or flared cuts: wider panels use up the spare width, with the same effect on the sleeves.
• Large or one-way prints and borders: matching and placing them wastes cloth. Add a quarter to half a metre.
• Narrow fabric: on 36 inch cloth, expect to add a sleeve length at least.
• Wide fabric: on 58 to 60 inch cloth the body pieces can share a width, so your height counts once, not twice. See fabric widths explained.

Tall or petite with an unstitched suit

The kameez piece in most unstitched suits is 2.5 to 3 metres, which suits average height. If you are tall and want a calf-length kameez with full sleeves, it can fall short, and an embroidered front panel has a fixed length that no layout can stretch. Our article on custom lengths for tall women covers the choices. If you are petite, the same piece often leaves something over, and using leftover fabric has ideas for it.

Check before you buy or post

Send your height, the kameez length you want, the design and the fabric width on the Stitching Only quote form. We confirm that there is enough before you post anything; the unstitched suit stitching page explains the steps. Our general guide to fabric for a three-piece suit lists the trousers and dupatta.