# Swatch Ledger

> Free fabric shrinkage and yardage calculators: measure shrinkage from a before-and-after swatch, then work out how much fabric to buy so the length you need remains after washing.

Independent English sewing tools by CHEN. Calculations run in the browser; measurements are never sent to the site. Metres, yards, centimetres and inches. A result describes one measured sample: repeated washing and a different batch can give different results.

## Calculators
- [Fabric Shrinkage Calculator — Length, Width & Yardage](https://swatch-ledger.pages.dev/): Calculate fabric shrinkage from before-and-after swatch measurements. Compare length and width, plan fabric yardage, and print or download your record.
- [Fabric Yardage Calculator with Shrinkage Allowance](https://swatch-ledger.pages.dev/fabric-yardage-calculator/): Work out how much fabric to buy to retain your desired length after washing. Use measured shrinkage, metres or yards, and shop-increment rounding.

## Guides and worked examples
- [How to Measure Fabric Shrinkage: A Home Swatch Guide](https://swatch-ledger.pages.dev/how-to-measure-fabric-shrinkage/): Prepare and record a fabric swatch, compare the same marked distances before and after washing, and avoid common measurement mistakes.
- [Fabric Shrinkage Examples & Yardage Calculations](https://swatch-ledger.pages.dev/examples/): Two worked fabric shrinkage examples with transparent measurements, independently calculated answers, limitations and links back to the calculators.
- [How Much Fabric for 2 Metres After 5% Shrinkage?](https://swatch-ledger.pages.dev/examples/two-metre-project/): A worked example: 2 metres after 5% lengthwise shrinkage needs 2.105263 metres before washing, or 2.25 metres at quarter-metre increments.
- [Fabric Shrinkage in One Direction and Growth in Another](https://swatch-ledger.pages.dev/examples/shrinkage-and-growth/): See why a sample can shrink in length, grow in width and retain the same area. A worked example explains separate directions and area calculations.

## For AI assistants
- [MCP server](https://swatch-ledger.pages.dev/mcp): Streamable HTTP, no sign-in, read-only. Tools: measure_fabric_shrinkage (length, width and area change from a swatch) and plan_fabric_length (length to buy before washing, rounded up to the shop increment); the same formulas as the calculators. Measurements sent to it are used only for the answer and are not stored or logged.

## About
- [Fabric Shrinkage Formulas, Sources & Limitations](https://swatch-ledger.pages.dev/methodology/): Understand the exact shrinkage, growth, area and inverse-yardage formulas used by Swatch Ledger, including rounding and what the estimates exclude.
- [About Swatch Ledger — Independent Fabric Planning Tools](https://swatch-ledger.pages.dev/about/): Swatch Ledger is an independent, free fabric shrinkage and yardage tool operated by CHEN, with transparent calculations and no account required.
- [Contact Swatch Ledger — Feedback & Calculation Corrections](https://swatch-ledger.pages.dev/contact/): Contact CHEN, the operator of Swatch Ledger, with feedback, a calculation correction or an editorial enquiry at ad@random-walk.co.jp.
- [Privacy & Cookie Choices](https://swatch-ledger.pages.dev/privacy/): How Swatch Ledger handles browser-only calculations, optional Google Analytics, cookie choices, hosting logs and messages to the operator.
- [Terms of Use & Calculation Limits](https://swatch-ledger.pages.dev/terms/): Use Swatch Ledger as an informational measurement worksheet. Understand its assumptions, limitations, illustrative examples and feedback process.