Cutting & Installation
Calculation and best-practice guidance for commercial fabric and drapery installations.
Yardage calculation (upholstery)
Use the cushion-area method as a starting estimate. Always order an extra 10% for waste, pattern matching, and contingency.
Where 54 is the typical commercial fabric width in inches (always confirm against the product spec; widths range 48–60+) and 36 is one yard.
Yardage calculation (drapery)
Drapery requires fullness above the rod width, plus length headers and hems.
length yards = (finished length + 12") × number of widths ÷ 36
total = width yards × length yards × 1.10
Fullness factor: 2.0 (standard pleats), 2.5 (ripplefold), 3.0 (sheer).
Pattern repeat handling
- Check the product's Vert-Rpt and Horz-Rpt spec values before cutting.
- For pattern matching across panels: add one full vertical repeat per cut to your yardage calculation.
- For half-drop patterns (VERTICAL_HALFDROP), add an additional half-repeat to be safe.
- Solid fabrics with no repeat skip this consideration entirely.
Direction
Most commercial fabrics are non-directional but always confirm the product spec. The two common direction codes:
- Up-the-roll — pattern reads vertically as fabric comes off the roll.
- Railroaded — pattern reads horizontally; useful for long sofas to avoid seams.
Order memo samples first
For any commercial installation, request memo samples of the colorways you're considering. Free memo samples are available on every product detail page. Confirm color, hand, and weave in person before committing roll yardage. Email info@losangelesfabrics.com if you need additional reference materials (CFA, lab dip, custom colorway) for a contract project.