My advice is to not follow the measurements exactly. Measure your self from armpit to armpit around the back, then divide that by 1/2, us that to measure from the folded line. Still go with the 6 inches from the top though! And for how much fabric, use whatever you want the length of your shrug to be, you don't have to limit yourself to 1 yard :) I made by BIG and then cut it to length :)