How to Choose Fabric by the Yard: Top 5 Versatile Picks

Q: Can I buy small amounts of fabric?

Yes. Every fabric is sold by the yard, so you can order half a yard for a small craft or many yards for a large project.

Choosing the right fabric can make or break your project, whether you’re sewing apparel, upholstering furniture, or working on a DIY craft. One of the most flexible and affordable ways to shop is to buy fabric by the yard. But with so many fabric options available, how do you know which one is best? In this guide, we’ll explore the top five versatile fabrics you can buy by the yard—faux fur, felt, cotton canvas, poly cotton broadcloth, and spandex fabrics. Each of these has unique qualities that make them a customer favorite for different applications.

Why Buy Fabric by the Yard?

Flexibility for Any Project

Buying fabric by the yard gives you control over how much material you purchase. Whether you need a small piece for a craft or several yards for upholstery, this flexibility ensures you only buy what you need, reducing waste and cost.

Cost-Effective for DIY and Business

For hobbyists, yardage makes fabric accessible without requiring bulk purchases. For businesses, wholesale options provide discounts while still allowing orders by the yard. This balance makes it an economical choice for both casual and professional projects.

Top 5 Fabrics You Can Buy by the Yard

1. Faux Fur Fabric – Luxurious & Cruelty-Free

Faux fur fabric replicates the softness and warmth of real fur without harming animals. Made from synthetic fibers, it’s perfect for fashion, décor, and craft projects. Available in a wide variety of textures and colors, faux fur brings a touch of elegance to coats, blankets, cushions, and accessories.

Best for: Coats, trims, upholstery accents, throw blankets.
Advantages: Animal-friendly, warm, stylish, and versatile.
Care: Spot clean or machine wash on gentle; air dry.

2. Felt Fabric by the Yard – Flexible Craft Material

Felt is one of the most versatile fabrics for crafts, DIY, and backing projects. Our acrylic felt comes in 24 colors at a 72-inch width, all 1.6mm thick. Felt doesn’t fray, so it is easy to cut, glue, or sew, and it holds its shape well for ornaments, applique, and organizers.

Best for: Crafts, upholstery backing, classroom projects, DIY organizers.
Advantages: Easy to cut, available in 24 colors, holds shape well.
Care: Hand wash in cold water, air dry flat.

3. Cotton Canvas Fabric – Durable & Breathable

Cotton canvas fabric is a heavyweight, plain-woven textile known for its strength and durability. It’s a staple for upholstery, bags, and workwear. Unlike synthetic fabrics, canvas is breathable while still being sturdy, making it a reliable choice for long-lasting projects.

Best for: Upholstery, tote bags, backpacks, industrial use.
Advantages: Strong, breathable, long-lasting.
Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low, iron on medium heat.

4. Poly Cotton Broadcloth – Lightweight & Affordable

Poly cotton fabric blends the softness of cotton with the durability of polyester. Woven into a smooth broadcloth, it’s lightweight and wrinkle-resistant, making it popular for apparel, quilting, and crafts. Its affordability also makes it a favorite for schools and sewing beginners.

Best for: Shirts, uniforms, quilting, craft projects.
Advantages: Wrinkle-resistant, cost-effective, easy to sew.
Care: Machine wash warm, tumble dry low.

5. Spandex Fabrics – Stretch for Swimwear & Apparel

Spandex fabrics come in two popular blends: nylon spandex and cotton spandex jersey. Nylon spandex is perfect for swimwear and performance apparel thanks to its 4-way stretch and moisture-wicking abilities. Cotton spandex, at 10 oz weight, is soft and breathable, making it ideal for T-shirts, leggings, and loungewear.

Best for: Swimwear, activewear, T-shirts, leggings, loungewear.
Advantages: Flexible, comfortable, body-contouring.
Care: Cold wash, gentle cycle, air dry.

How to Choose the Best Fabric for Your Project

Consider Durability and Strength

For upholstery and heavy-duty projects, canvas and felt are excellent choices. For fashion projects, consider stretch and comfort with spandex blends.

Comfort vs. Performance

If comfort is your priority, cotton spandex jersey is the winner. For high-performance clothing, nylon spandex offers moisture control and elasticity.

Cost and Availability

Poly cotton provides an affordable option for schools, uniforms, and bulk sewing projects. For luxury projects, faux fur adds elegance without the cost of real fur.

Fabric by the Yard vs. Wholesale: Which is Right for You?

Buying fabric by the yard is perfect for DIYers, small projects, or first-time customers. If you’re a designer, school, or business producing in volume, check out our wholesale fabric options for cost savings and consistent supply.

How Many Yards Do You Need?

Buying by the yard means you only pay for what your project needs. Rough estimates to start from (most of our fabrics are 60 inches wide; felt is 72):

Project	Approx. Yardage
Tote bag or cushion cover	½ – 1 yard
Throw pillows (pair)	1 yard
Simple top or T-shirt	1½ – 2 yards
Dress or robe	3 – 4 yards
Throw blanket	2 yards per side
Chair reupholstery	3 – 6 yards

When in doubt, buy a little extra — dye lots can vary slightly between orders, so it is safer to get all you need in one cut.

Understanding Fabric Width

Yardage only makes sense alongside width. A yard is always 36 inches long, but the width varies by fabric:

60 inches — our canvas, broadcloth, fleece, and spandex; the standard for apparel and home projects.
72 inches — our acrylic felt, which is unusually wide and yields more per yard.

Wider fabric covers more area per yard, so a project that needs 2 yards of a 45-inch fabric may only need about 1½ yards of our 60-inch goods. Always check the width before converting a pattern's yardage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fabric is best for upholstery?

Cotton canvas is the most durable choice for upholstery and heavy-use projects. Felt works well as a soft backing or liner rather than the main upholstery surface.

Which fabric should I use for swimwear?

Nylon spandex is the top choice for swimwear thanks to its 4-way stretch, quick-drying feel, and chlorine resistance.

Is poly cotton broadcloth easy to sew?

Yes. Poly cotton broadcloth is lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and does not stretch, which makes it one of the most beginner-friendly fabrics to cut and sew.

Can I buy small amounts of fabric?

Yes. Every fabric is sold by the yard, so you can order just half a yard for a small craft or many yards for a large project.

How wide is the fabric?

Most of our fabrics are 60 inches wide; our acrylic felt is 72 inches. Check the width before converting a pattern's yardage, since wider fabric covers more area per yard.

Conclusion

From faux fur to nylon spandex, buying fabric by the yard gives you the freedom to choose the right material for every project. Whether you’re upholstering furniture, sewing clothing, or working on a DIY craft, our curated collections ensure quality, variety, and value. Explore our Our Favorites to get started with the fabrics our customers love most.