Panel Discussion

When hanging window treatments, you want to make sure the work have you have put into them pays off. Here is a measuring guide so there are no costly mistakes.

MEASURING FOR UNLINED DRAPERIES OR CURTAINS

Always measure each window separately: as you know, those that appear to be identical may not be.

There are three standard lengths for draperies or curtains: to the window sill, to the bottom of the apron, or 3/8” above the floor or carpet pile. If you plan to hang sheers behind the draperies, their length should be 3/8” shorter at the top, than the draperies they are to hang behind. Sheers are usually 4 times the width of the window.

Following are methods to help you estimate how much fabric to reserve. Your workroom should always follow through with precise measurements to finalize your yardage requirements.

Formula to calculate yardage needed for unlined draperies or curtains:

3x total outside width of window divided by standard fabric width (48” or 54”) rounded to next highest number = width  x total finished length (12” is included for top and bottom hems). Round to the next highest number then divide by 36” to get the number of yards needed. (24” is included for triple hand-sewn items.).

Estimating example for fabric with no repeat:

Outside width of window is 63”

Draperies or curtains using fabrics with repeats:

Divide total length before hemming by length of repeat and round it off to next highest number to give you finished length.

3x total outside width of window divided by standard fabric width (48” or 54”) rounded to next highest number = width; then multiply by total finished length divided by 36”. Multiply your answer by 11 to get number of yards needed.

Estimating example for fabric with repeat:

Outside width of window is 63”

Width of fabric you are using is 54”

Total unfinished length of draperies is 114” (12 “ is included for top and bottom hems).

Length of repeat is 11” 114” / 11” (repeat) = 10.36 rounded to next highest number = 11 (total finished length) 3x63” = 189” / 54” =  3.5 rounded to next highest number = 4 (width) 4x11 = 44 / 36 = 1.2 1.2 x 11 = 13.2 yards of 54” fabric with repeat is needed.

Photo Credit: Robert Martin