what i do is i see the 1/2, and the 5. i realize that if i take 2 1/2's i get 1, so for two outfits i need one yard of fabric. so i take that two, and multiply it by two to get 2 yards for 4 outfits. Next i just add the extra 1/2 yard to make it 5 outfits. hope this helps
