Plan rectangles with known usable width

Use measured inputs

Enter usable width and the already-allowed-for rectangle width and length. The tool does not replace nominal 44 inches with a guaranteed usable width or deduct a guessed selvage.

Keep rotation explicit

Rotation is off by default. If allowed, the tool compares two uniform row layouts; it does not mix orientations or optimize every possible nesting arrangement. Directional fabric or grain requirements can rule out rotation.

Read the output modestly

Required length is rounded to a user-chosen yard increment. The result does not include unentered cutting gaps, defects, pattern matching or an independent shrink test and does not guarantee a seller’s cut policy.

Respect orientation constraints

The planner can compare one unrotated row layout with one uniformly rotated row layout if you explicitly permit rotation. Grain, nap, directional prints or a design requirement may rule rotation out. It does not mix differently oriented rectangles within a row or prove the mathematically best possible nesting arrangement.

Audit the default example

With usable width 40 in, rectangle 14 x 12 in and four pieces required, two fit across each row. Two rows require 24 in of fabric length. At a user-assumed quarter-yard increment, the order rounds to 0.75 yd, or 27 in, leaving 3 in of extra length in that simple plan. It does not promise any additional rectangle from leftover side strips.

See what rotation changes

For four 22 x 10 in rectangles at 40 in usable width, unrotated rows need 40 in. If your project permits 90-degree rotation, four 10 in-wide pieces fit across one row and require 22 in of length. At the same quarter-yard increment, that rounds to 27 in. The tool compares only these two uniform arrangements; another mixed arrangement is outside its scope.

Add missing requirements before ordering

The simple plan does not allocate cutting gaps, straightening losses, flaws, pattern repeat, shrink or separate selvage deductions. Include any relevant allowance in a defensible input or calculate it separately, then confirm the seller cut. If usable width or required quantity is unknown, the tool withholds an order result rather than replacing it with nominal width or a guessed piece count.

Before you decide

• Keep family, color/SKU and actual quantity
• Separate nominal, usable and assumed measurements
• Read component care and current seller conditions