How much fabric for a kurti or short kurta?

Typical amounts by length and sleeve

All of these are for 44 to 45 inch fabric with no one-way print. The yard figures are rounded up to the next quarter, the way fabric is sold.

• Hip length, sleeveless or short sleeves (about 26 to 28 inches, 66 to 71 cm long): 1.25 to 1.5 m, or 1.5 to 1.75 yards.
• Hip length, three-quarter or full sleeves: 1.5 to 2 m, or 1.75 to 2.25 yards.
• Thigh length, short or elbow sleeves (about 30 to 34 inches, 76 to 86 cm long): 1.75 to 2 m, or 2 to 2.25 yards.
• Thigh length, full sleeves: 2 to 2.5 m, or 2.25 to 2.75 yards.
• Peplum or flared short top: about 0.5 m more than the straight version, depending on the fullness.

How the cutter works it out

A kurti is four main pieces: a front, a back and two sleeves. What decides the fabric is whether the front and back fit side by side across the width or have to be cut one below the other. As a worked example, a 28 inch kurti with 18 inch three-quarter sleeves needs about 52 inches (1.3 m) when the body pieces sit side by side, and about 62 inches (1.6 m) when they do not.

• Side by side: when each body piece, with ease and seam allowances, is narrower than half the fabric width, both fit across one length. You need one body length plus one sleeve length, plus about 6 inches (15 cm) for hems and seams. On 44 inch fabric this works for smaller sizes in a straight cut; on 58 inch fabric it works for most sizes.
• One below the other: in mid and larger sizes on 44 inch fabric, the front and back each need their own length, so allow two body lengths plus hems. The sleeves can often be cut from the strip left beside the body pieces.
• Two lengths plus sleeves: on narrow 36 inch (91 cm) fabric, in the largest sizes, or for a flared shape, there is no spare strip, so a sleeve length is added on top.

Is 2 metres enough for a kurti?

Usually, yes. Two metres of 44 to 45 inch fabric covers a hip-length kurti with any sleeve in most sizes, and a thigh-length kurta with short or elbow sleeves. Cotton and viscose can shrink on the first wash, so if you plan to pre-wash, buy a little over the figure; our guide to pre-washing fabric explains when it is worth doing. A sheer lawn or chiffon kurti may need lining too, which is about as much again as the body pieces. Two metres becomes tight in four situations:

• Thigh length with full sleeves in a larger size, where two body lengths and a sleeve length are all needed.
• One-way prints and large motifs, because every piece must face the same direction and the pattern has to be centred or matched.
• Borders, if a printed border along one edge has to run round the hem and the sleeve ends.
• Extras cut from the same cloth: a collar, a placket, pockets, piping or a matching belt.

Before you buy or post fabric

Measure the width as well as the length, because the width is what changes the sum; fabric widths explained shows how to read it. If you already have a piece, send its length, width and a photo, and tell us the kurti length and sleeves you want. For a Stitching Only quote we confirm that the fabric is suitable and that there is enough of it before you send anything to us in Pakistan. The unstitched suit stitching page explains the two shipping stages.

If you would rather not calculate at all, choose Fabric + Stitching and we supply the agreed fabric in the right amount.