Post # 1
Member
72 posts
Worker bee
Long story short, I’m ordering broadcloth fabric to make chair sashes. I remember one time when I ordered fabric, they “doubled up” so to speak, so that the yardage was two-sided. Meaning, when I ordered 3 yards, it was really like I was getting 6. If I order online from Joann Fabrics, will this be the case?
For logistics: I need 36 yards of fabric 1 and 17 yards of fabric 2. So, to make a complete chair sash–where I would have to sew two pieces of fabric 6″ x 36″ together–do I order 36 yards or 72 yards of fabric 1?
Sorry if this was confusing, I hope I was clear. 🙂
Post # 2
Member
47430 posts
Honey Beekeeper
mrsrtobee: Almost all fabric is sold folded in half lengthwise with the selvedges together, so it may appear to be double sided, but it is really one width of fabric, folded in half.
It depends on the width of the fabric. If the fabric is 36″ wide, you can get 6 pieces 6×36″ from one yard of fabric. If the fabric is 54″ wide, you can get 9 strips 6×36″ from one yard.
If you want to share how you plan to use your fabric, we may be able to help you use your fabric more efficiently. If you have to sew the two strips of 36″ together anyhow, you might want to just rip one length that is 72″ long. That, of course, depends on what you need to do to make your sashes.
Post # 3
Member
914 posts
Busy bee
What is the width of the fabric you are ordering? It should say it some where on the listing.
Assuming it’s like most broadcloth and is 45″ wide, you can get 7- 6″ wide strips across. Assuming you need 36 chair sashes, that is 72 fabric strips requiring a total of 11 yards to cut all of the necessary fabric pieces.
Side Note: I would double check the length you need for the chair sashes to be because 36″ strikes me as awfully short.
Post # 4
Member
1203 posts
Bumble bee
I would buy one yard of each fabric to start out with and do a test-run before buying that much fabric and see how much you can actually get out of one yard. Also, since you need so much, I would suggst looking for sites that sell by the bolt.
Post # 5
Member
72 posts
Worker bee
Thank you all! Very helpful!
loudsilence99: OMG THANK YOU! I got the measurement off of a DIY site. I just cut a test strip out of an old sheet, and I’m so glad I didn’t order the fabric yet.
To those who asked, I plan on making something like these:
So, it would be basically a long “tube” of fabric with all ends sewn. Almost like a scarf. And I don’t plan on sewing the two colors together.
Post # 6
Member
47430 posts
Honey Beekeeper
mrsrtobee: Do you really, really want to sew these yourself? It would be less expensive and a lot easier to order sashes ready made.
Chair sashes are usually between 6 and 9″ wide and 108 inches long. It would be easy to order one wider sash and one narrower to get the two tone look in your pic.
Post # 7
Member
204 posts
Helper bee
I made the chair sleeves below by buying actual chair sashes, I got 3 sleeves from each sash. 
Post # 8
Member
204 posts
Helper bee
PS – It WAS a ton of work. And in case you aren’t aware…. You can’t just sew a straight seam, it has to be angled to be tight or the top flops open.
Post # 9
Member
72 posts
Worker bee
Yeah…now that I have the new measurements, I’m re-thinking and re-organizing here. Thanks all!