Fabric Shrinkage
Compute a fabric's shrinkage after washing, S = (initial measure − final measure)/initial measure · 100%, the percentage reduction in length or width. Almost every fabric shrinks in the first wash (cotton can exceed 5%), so the pattern must compensate for that percentage and the fabric is usually pre-shrunk (sanforized). Ignoring it makes the garment come out smaller than the nominal size. Enter the measures before and after washing.
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Fabric shrinkage
Almost every fabric shrinks in the first wash — natural fibres such as cotton and linen most of all. The reason: during spinning and weaving the yarns are held under tension and stretched; the heat and water of a wash cycle release that tension and the fibres relax back to their natural state, drawing the cloth in. Shrinkage E = (initial − final)/initial·100% can exceed 5% in cotton. The garment industry handles this in two ways: pre-shrinking the fabric at the mill (the sanforized process, which holds residual shrinkage to about 1%) or compensating in the pattern, cutting the pieces oversized in proportion to the expected shrinkage. Ignore it and the small T-shirt comes out of the first wash fitting a child. Enter the measurements taken before and after washing.
Related Tools
Fabric Cover Factor
Compute a fabric's cover factor, CF = thread density (threads/cm) · √(Tex), an index of how 'closed' the weave is — how much the threads cover the area, leaving more or fewer open spaces. High factors indicate dense, opaque fabrics (canvas, twill); low ones, sheer, breathable fabrics (voile, mesh). It influences air permeability, opacity and strength. Enter the thread density and the count in Tex.
Fabric Weight (GSM)
Compute a fabric's weight in grams per square meter (GSM) by dividing a sample's mass by its area. It is the main measure of fabric 'weight': light T-shirt knits are 140–180 g/m², sweatshirts 280–340, canvas and denim much more. GSM defines hand, drape, durability and price, and is specified in almost every textile spec sheet. Enter the sample's mass and area.
Fabric Thread Count
Compute a woven fabric's thread density by adding the warp threads (lengthwise) and weft threads (widthwise) per centimeter. It is an indicator of construction and quality: higher density usually means a firmer, more durable and fuller fabric. It appears on spec sheets as 'threads/cm' or 'thread count'. Enter the warp and weft threads per cm.
Tex ↔ Ne Conversion
Convert a yarn count from the Tex (direct) system to Ne (English count, indirect), Ne = 590.5/Tex. In the Ne system, unlike Tex, the higher the number the <em>finer</em> the yarn — so they are inversely proportional. Ne is traditional in cotton spinning. The conversion is essential to compare yarns specified in different systems. Enter the count in Tex.
Bedsheet Fabric Size cm
Estimates centimeters of fabric for a bedsheet from mattress dimensions with standard overhang.
Curtain Fabric Window Width cm
Estimates curtain fabric centimeters from window width and desired pleat ratio.
The results provided by this tool are for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute professional, financial, medical, legal, tax or accounting advice. Always confirm important decisions with a qualified professional and official sources.