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Short answer
As a rough guide in a plain 140 cm upholstery fabric, a dining seat pad needs about 0.5 m, an armchair about 5 to 7 m, a two-seater sofa about 9 to 12 m and a three-seater about 12 to 16 m. Patterns, stripes and velvet need more, often 10 to 20% extra, and so do loose cushions, skirts and piping. These figures vary a lot with the design, so always get the exact quantity from your upholsterer before ordering, and order it all from one dye batch.
Rough quantities
For a plain fabric about 140 cm wide, with no pattern to match:
| Piece | Rough quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drop-in dining seat pad | About 0.5 m | Often two pads from one metre |
| Dining chair, seat and back | About 1 to 1.5 m | More for fully upholstered backs |
| Ottoman or footstool | About 2 to 4 m | Depends on size and skirt |
| Headboard, queen or king | About 2 to 3 m | More if a wide board needs railroading or pattern matching |
| Armchair | About 5 to 7 m | Wingbacks and loose cushions need more |
| Two-seater sofa | About 9 to 12 m | |
| Three-seater sofa | About 12 to 16 m | Corner and L-shaped sofas need much more |
Watch out
These are very rough guides. Styles vary enormously; your upholsterer measures the actual piece and gives the real quantity. Do not order on these figures alone.
What adds fabric
- Pattern repeat: large patterns must be centred and matched across cushions and panels; allow 10 to 20% more, sometimes more for big repeats.
- Stripes: must line up across the seat, back and arms.
- Velvet and pile fabrics: every piece must have the pile running the same way, so pieces cannot be turned to save fabric. See What Is Velvet Fabric?
- Loose seat and back cushions, bolsters and scatter cushions.
- Skirts, piping and buttons.
- Spare fabric for repairs or matching cushions later.
Wide fabric and railroading
Most upholstery fabric is about 140 cm wide. Used railroaded, turned sideways, it can cover a long sofa back or seat without a seam, which often changes the quantity. Plains and textures railroad easily; stripes and patterns change direction. See Railroaded Fabric Explained.
Choosing the fabric
Before quantities, check the fabric suits the job: about 15,000 to 25,000 Martindale rubs for an everyday sofa, 25,000 or more for a family sofa, and 30,000 or more for commercial seating. See How to Choose Sofa Fabric and Martindale Rub Test.
Tip
Order the whole quantity at once from one dye batch, plus a little spare. Topping up later risks a slightly different shade.
JOTEX upholstery collections
Collections made for upholstery or multi-purpose use, updated from the catalogue. Check each collection's rub count and width.
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Frequently asked questions
How many metres of fabric do I need for a 3-seater sofa?
Roughly 12 to 16 m of a plain 140 cm fabric, and more for patterns, velvet, loose cushions or a skirt. Your upholsterer gives the exact figure.
How much fabric do I need for an armchair?
Roughly 5 to 7 m of a plain 140 cm fabric, more for wingbacks, loose cushions or patterned fabric.
How much fabric for a dining chair seat?
About 0.5 m for a drop-in seat pad, often enough for two pads per metre, and about 1 to 1.5 m for a chair with an upholstered back.
Why does patterned fabric need more?
The pattern must be centred and matched across cushions and panels, which wastes some fabric between motifs. Allow 10 to 20% extra, or more for large repeats.
Should I order extra upholstery fabric?
Yes, a little. Order everything from one dye batch, with some spare for repairs or matching cushions later.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.