How much fabric a shirt takes

For fabric 1.4 to 1.5 m wide and sizes up to EU 42: one shirt length plus the sleeve length plus 30 cm for the collar, cuffs, yoke and pockets. The fronts and back then fit side by side.

For larger sizes, oversized styles or fabric up to 1.2 m wide, count two shirt lengths plus the sleeve. Measure the length from the highest point of the shoulder to the hem.

An example: a shirt 75 cm long with a 60 cm sleeve. 75 + 60 + 30 = 165 cm, about 1.7 m.

For fabric 1.4 to 1.5 m wide and sizes EU 38 to 44:

A sleeveless blouse: 0.8 to 1.1 m.

A short-sleeved shirt: 1.2 to 1.5 m, long-sleeved 1.5 to 2 m.

An oversized or men’s shirt: 2 to 2.5 m.

A shirt jacket in a dense fabric: 1.8 to 2.3 m.

The classics for shirts are poplin, Oxford cloth and cambric, all fine cotton. For autumn flannel or cotton tartan, for summer linen or viscose.

A shirt jacket worn over other clothes is made of a denser cloth: cotton suiting, corduroy or light wool.

See what is in stock: cotton.

Checks and stripes are matched on the placket, pockets and yoke, and the yoke and cuffs are often cut on the bias. Add 15 to 20 %.

Cotton and linen can shrink up to 5 % at the first wash: wash the fabric before cutting.

A double yoke, flap pockets, epaulettes or long cuffs take another 0.2 to 0.3 m.