When you walk into a fabric store, you'll notice that most fabric is wrapped around cardboard bolts that stand upright on shelves. What you may not notice is that at the end each bolt is a label that provides important information about the fabric.

Today, I'm looking for a cheery yellow fabric I can use to make an ottoman cover. The one with the pink and yellow dots caught my eye:

Fabric on the Bolt

Before I ask someone to cut 2 yards for me, I want to know if this fabric is suitable for my project. The label on the end of the bolt (shown below) answers that question.

Really Important Information

• Width: 44/45" (115cm)
• Content: 100% Cotton
• Care: Machine wash cool. Tumble dry low. Not suitable for children's sleepware.
• Price per yard: $9.99

Less Important, But Good to Know

• Manufacturer: Westminster Fibers, Inc.
• Brand: Rowan Fabrics
• Fabric Designer: Amy Butler
• Fabric Line: Midwest Modern
• Design: Martini
• Color: Gold (AB26)
• Fabric on a full bolt: 15 yards (13.71m)
  

Since I'm not making children's sleepware, this fabric will work well. And, from reading the label, I know the fabric I chose is part of Amy Butler's Midwest Modern line. Sometime in the future, I plan to make several pillows for the same room and will look to this line for complementary fabrics.

Rolled Fabric

You're also likely to see fabric hanging horizontally from wooden dowels. These rolls are usually wider fabrics – often drapery and upholstery fabrics. In this case, look for a hang tag for fabric information.

Refer to Your Pattern

If you're using a purchased project pattern, you'll find information on the pattern envelope that tells you how much fabric to buy based on the width of the fabric. Most patterns also suggest the type of fabric that will work best for that particular pattern. By reading the label on the bolt, you'll know if the fabric you like is a reasonable choice.