Yardage Guide
Sister & Sewn Collective
Fabric Yardage & Remnant Guide
A collected reference for pillows, small upholstery pieces, and creative ways to use designer remnants. Yardages assume 54″-wide fabric and may vary depending on repeat, direction, motif placement, and construction details.
Section 01
Pillow Size & Yardage Chart
A practical starting point for decorative pillows and custom cases. These estimates assume front and back panels with standard seam allowances. Add yardage for self-welt, contrast welt, flange, fringe, centered motifs, or large-scale pattern matching.
| Pillow Size | Common Use | Plain / Small Print | Large Repeat / Directional | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12″ × 12″ | Small accent | ⅓ yd | ½ yd | Best for very small remnants |
| 16″ × 16″ | Chair or small sofa | ½ yd | ⅔–1 yd | Add more for centered motifs |
| 18″ × 18″ | Sofa or bed accent | ½ yd | ⅔–1 yd | Popular decorative size |
| 20″ × 20″ | Sofa standard | ⅔ yd | 1–1¼ yd | Allow more for welt or matching pairs |
| 22″ × 22″ | Large sofa pillow | ⅔–1 yd | 1–1½ yd | Often needs extra with designer fabrics |
| 26″ × 26″ | Euro | 1 yd | 1½–2 yd | Standard euro size |
| 12″ × 20″ lumbar | Chair, bed, or sofa | ⅓–½ yd | ½–⅔ yd | Excellent remnant size |
| 14″ × 22″ lumbar | Sofa lumbar | ½ yd | ⅔–1 yd | Classic layered look |
| 14″ × 36″ bolster | Bed or bench | 1–1¼ yd | 1½–1¾ yd | Includes body and end circles |
Pattern repeat note: Designer textiles often require more than the mathematical minimum. Large repeats, centered motifs, pairs, welting, and directional prints can all increase yardage. When in doubt, allow extra.
Section 02
Beautiful Uses for Small Yardage
Designer remnants deserve better than sitting folded on a shelf. Even small cuts can become pillows, café curtains, cosmetic bags, travel pouches, fabric frames, lampshades, bench cushions, and other collected details that bring personality into a home.
Café Curtains
½–1½ yd per panel
- Beautiful for kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms
- Allow 1.5–2× fullness of window width
- Add extra for hem and rod pocket
- Small-scale prints work especially well
Cosmetic & Travel Bags
¼–½ yd
- Perfect for small designer remnants
- Great use for bold prints and trims
- Add lining for structure and durability
- Ideal for gifting or custom monograms
Fabric Frames
¼–1 yd
- A beautiful way to showcase special textiles
- Works well with florals, block prints, and large motifs
- Lovely for bedrooms, nurseries, and hallways
- Often uses less yardage than expected
Custom Lampshades
½–1 yd
- One of the best uses for statement remnants
- Small shades may require less than ½ yd
- Pattern direction matters
- Trim or tape adds a finished detail
Ottomans
1–2 yd
- Small ottomans may need around 1 yd
- Medium ottomans usually need 1½–2 yd
- Add extra for skirts, tufting, or welting
- Great for durable designer textiles
Bench Cushions
1–2½ yd
- Window seats, entry benches, and mudrooms
- Includes top, bottom, and boxing
- Add extra for ties or welt
- Performance fabrics are a smart choice
Dining Chair Seats
⅓–½ yd per chair
- One of the easiest remnant projects
- Most seats need less than ½ yd
- Large repeats may require more
- Great way to use a special fabric sparingly
Small Stools
½–1 yd
- Works well for round or square stools
- Simple tops need very little yardage
- Add extra for skirts or gathered details
- Perfect for playful pattern moments
| Project | Yardage Range | Best Fabric Types | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Café Curtains | ½–3 yd total | Cotton, linen, ticking, lightweight prints | Beginner |
| Cosmetic / Travel Bags | ¼–½ yd | Linen, canvas, cotton, performance | Beginner |
| Fabric Frames | ¼–1 yd | Block prints, florals, large-scale patterns | Beginner |
| Custom Lampshades | ½–1 yd | Linen, cotton, lightweight upholstery | Intermediate |
| Ottoman | 1–2 yd | Velvet, canvas, outdoor, upholstery linen | Beginner–Intermediate |
| Bench Cushion | 1–2½ yd | Performance, linen blend, outdoor, canvas | Intermediate |
| Dining Chair Seat | ⅓–½ yd per chair | Medium-weight upholstery, woven, performance | Beginner |
| Small Stool | ½–1 yd | Velvet, linen, woven upholstery, performance | Beginner |
Sister & Sewn tip: The best remnants are often the pieces too small for full upholstery projects but perfect for layered, collected details throughout a home. A single yard can become a pair of pillows, café curtains, a lampshade, or custom travel bags. Large repeats, centered motifs, and welting almost always require additional yardage, especially with designer textiles.