What can be stitched from 5 metres of fabric?

On 44 to 45 inch fabric

This is the most common width for lawn, cambric and printed cottons. For an average height and size, 5 metres covers any one of these:

• Knee-length kameez and shalwar: about 2.5 m each, with very little spare.
• Calf-length kameez and straight trousers or cigarette pants: about 3 m and 2 m.
• Short kurti and palazzo or wide-leg trousers: with room left for piping or a lining facing.
• Kameez and matching dupatta, no trousers: about 2.5 m each, if you already own plain trousers.
• A gently flared frock or a maxi dress on its own: with fabric left over.

On wider and narrower cloth

On 58 to 60 inch fabric, 5 metres goes a long way. It comfortably covers a two-piece with a longer or more flared kameez, a kameez with a sharara or palazzo, or a full anarkali on its own. A three-piece is still usually out of reach unless the dupatta is a short stole.

On 36 inch fabric the layout is less efficient, as our article on 36 inch fabric for a kameez explains. Five metres there covers a kameez with slim trousers for smaller sizes, or a long kurta on its own with plenty spare. A kameez with a shalwar usually needs closer to 6 metres. Our fabric widths guide compares all three widths.

What 5 metres usually cannot make

Some outfits need more than a single 5 metre length on a standard width, however carefully it is cut:

• A three-piece with a matching dupatta.
• A full anarkali or kalidar frock with trousers: the frock alone can take 4 to 6 m.
• A kameez with a sharara, gharara or full Patiala: see our Patiala fabric guide for why the pleats use so much.
• Large sizes or tall women with a long kameez and shalwar: add half a metre or more.

Before you plan around it

Check that the 5 metres is one continuous length and not several cut pieces, look for flaws or misprints that have to be cut around, and allow for shrinkage if it is a cotton you plan to wash first. Our guide to buying fabric by the metre covers what to look for in the shop.

If you already have the length and want us to stitch it, Stitching Only works with fabric bought by the metre. Tell us the width, the length and the outfit you want in a Stitching Only quote, and we confirm whether it is enough before you post it.