Tote bag

Start from the app’s rectangular-piece template. Choose a size, adjust your measurements and calculate the fabric before cutting.

How the calculation works

Each piece is cut 1 cm larger on every edge, so its width and its length each grow by 2 cm.

A worked example: Tote bag, 36 × 38 cm · 14 × 15 in

Fabric width: 110 cm
Seam allowance per edge: 1 cm
Usable fabric width: 110 cm

Body × 2 — Width: 36 cm + 2 × 1 cm = 38 cm · Length: 38 cm + 2 × 1 cm = 40 cm
Strap × 2 — Width: 10 cm + 2 × 1 cm = 12 cm · Length: 60 cm + 2 × 1 cm = 62 cm
Pocket × 1 — Width: 20 cm + 2 × 1 cm = 22 cm · Length: 18 cm + 2 × 1 cm = 20 cm

The grain is not locked for Strap, so the calculator may turn it sideways to save length.

Where each piece sits on the fabric

Body 1: 38 cm × 40 cm — x 0 cm · y 0 cm
Body 2: 38 cm × 40 cm — x 38 cm · y 0 cm
Strap 1: 12 cm × 62 cm — x 76 cm · y 0 cm
Pocket: 22 cm × 20 cm — x 88 cm · y 0 cm
Strap 2: 62 cm × 12 cm — x 0 cm · y 40 cm (turned sideways)

x: distance from the fabric edge · y: distance along the fabric length

Required: 62 cm · 0.62 m · 0.68 yd
Unused fabric area (%): 27.2

A worked example: Tote bag, 36 × 38 cm · 14 × 15 in (Inches)

Fabric width: 44 in
Seam allowance per edge: 0.5 in
Usable fabric width: 44 in

Body × 2 — Width: 14 in + 2 × 0.5 in = 15 in · Length: 15 in + 2 × 0.5 in = 16 in
Strap × 2 — Width: 4 in + 2 × 0.5 in = 5 in · Length: 24 in + 2 × 0.5 in = 25 in
Pocket × 1 — Width: 8 in + 2 × 0.5 in = 9 in · Length: 7 in + 2 × 0.5 in = 8 in

Required: 25 in · 0.63 m · 0.69 yd

Length needed for each template size and fabric width

30 × 33 cm · 12 × 13 in: 110 cm → 59 cm · 140 cm → 44 cm · 150 cm → 35 cm
36 × 38 cm · 14 × 15 in: 110 cm → 62 cm · 140 cm → 44 cm · 150 cm → 44 cm
40 × 45 cm · 16 × 18 in: 110 cm → 67 cm · 140 cm → 59 cm · 150 cm → 47 cm

30 × 33 cm · 12 × 13 in: 44 in → 24 in · 54 in → 18 in · 60 in → 14 in
36 × 38 cm · 14 × 15 in: 44 in → 25 in · 54 in → 21 in · 60 in → 18 in
40 × 45 cm · 16 × 18 in: 44 in → 27 in · 54 in → 24 in · 60 in → 19 in

Template sizes and pieces

Measurements do not include seam allowance. The calculator adds it to each edge.

Fabric width: 110 cm · 44 in
Seam allowance per edge: 1 cm · 0.5 in

Piece	Width × Length (cm)	Width × Length (in)	Quantity
Template size: 30 × 33 cm · 12 × 13 in
Body	30 × 33	12 × 13	2
Strap	10 × 60	4 × 24	2
Pocket	20 × 18	8 × 7	1
Template size: 36 × 38 cm · 14 × 15 in
Body	36 × 38	14 × 15	2
Strap	10 × 60	4 × 24	2
Pocket	20 × 18	8 × 7	1
Template size: 40 × 45 cm · 16 × 18 in
Body	40 × 45	16 × 18	2
Strap	10 × 60	4 × 24	2
Pocket	20 × 18	8 × 7	1

Projects

Drawstring bag

25 × 30 cm · 10 × 12 in

Apron

60 × 75 cm · 24 × 30 in

Elastic-waist skirt

Hip 102 cm · 40 in

Cushion cover

45 × 45 cm · 18 × 18 in

Try a tool

Try it here, without an account.

Fabric yardage calculator

Lay out rectangular pieces across your fabric width, with grain direction and seam allowance.

Compare fabric widths

Change the usable fabric width and compare the length needed for the same pieces.

Fabric with seam allowance

Use finished piece measurements and add a seam allowance to each edge before planning.