How to estimate fabric yardage for upholstery The best way to calculate fabric for upholstery is to talk to a local upholsterer. It will all depend on the type of fabric you want to purchase and the type of furniture you want recovered. Depending on the type of furniture you have, it may be difficult to calculate the amount of yardage you need to recover a chair, sofa, ottoman, or stool. When it comes time to recover, how many yards of fabric do you need? In this blog I want to help you...