Yards by style and size
For 58" to 60" fabric, with no pattern to match. Add about 12% when stripes, big prints or lace motifs have to line up.
| Style | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agbada | 7.25 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Senator | 3.25 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 |
| Kaftan | 3.25 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 |
| Iro & buba | 4.5 | 5 | 5.75 | 6.25 |
| Corset gown | 4.25 | 4.5 | 5.25 | 5.75 |
| Abaya | 2.75 | 3 | 3.5 | 3.75 |
| Suit | 3.25 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 |
Buying fabric for aso-ebi
For a group, work out the yards per person by size, add them up, and buy from one roll or one batch so the colour matches. A spare piece for alterations saves a lot of trouble on the day.
Know what the fabric costs you
Once you know the yards, put the fabric cost into the sewing price calculator so the price you quote covers it.
Questions tailors ask
How many yards of fabric for an agbada?
About 8 yards of 58" fabric for a medium adult, more for a large frame or if the embroidery or pattern has to line up. Narrower fabric needs more yards.
How many yards of lace for a gown?
About 4.5 yards of 58" lace for a corset gown in a medium size. Lace with big motifs that must be placed carefully can need up to a yard more.
How many yards of ankara for iro and buba?
About 6.25 yards of 45" ankara for a medium size, a little more if you're matching the print across the seams.
How many yards for a senator or kaftan?
About 3.5 yards of 58" senator material for a medium adult, top and trousers together.
Why does fabric width change the yards?
A wider fabric fits more of the pattern pieces side by side, so you need less length. The same gown can need noticeably more yards in 45" ankara than in 58" lace.