Updated at: 13-09-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

What’s the best way to measure curtain fabric? To complete the process, simply follow three simple steps.

Curtains may make a huge difference when it comes to beautifying the interior of your home.

The most popular type of window is a glass one, and curtains are used to give it a more finished appearance on the inside and out.

It’s also to keep people from peering into a room or a household to watch what goes on inside.

In spite of their similarity, each one is a unique piece because of its design, color, or material.

Machine-made and hand-made curtain fabrics are both common. However, you have the option of making your own at home.

All you have to do is choose a pattern and color scheme that complements the rest of your home’s furnishings and wall paint.

However, the most crucial thing to know is how to measure cloth for curtains.

Steps To Measure Fabric For Curtains

When purchasing fabric for curtains, it is important to know how to accurately measure it.

If you don’t, your money will be wasted and the fabric will be useless for curtains, but you can still use it to construct anything.

If you’re going to buy curtain fabric, make sure you know how to measure it correctly before you buy it.

Don’t worry, I’ll show you how to properly measure the fabric for your curtains.

Size Calculators | Curtains, Fabric, Unit Calculators | Terrys Fabrics

Doing so is simple. Simply make a note of it and keep a duplicate of it for yourself.

This is how to measure curtain fabric, in case you were wondering:

Step #1. How you would want the width

The first thing you should do is think of how wide you want your curtain to be.

The first step is to decide how broad your curtain should be.

To get an accurate measurement, begin measuring from the extension’s tip to the tip of the other extension.

After that, it’s just a matter of halving the sum. You should think of it as a normal curtain that separates in the middle.

A whole day’s work was often required for the treatments. You need two and a half times the breadth of your measurement for your fabric.

Step #2. Measure the length

Once you have measured the length of the curtain fabric, you should begin at the top of the rod.

Decide how long you want it to be, and do it again. Depending on how long you want your curtain to be, you can have it terminate exactly at the sill or go all the way to the floor.

Depending on the style and preference of your curtains, you may need to double the size for hems on top and bottom.

For example, a 1-inch hem would be ideal. To the garment’s circumference, add an additional two inches.

You may simply add it to the fabric’s total length and you’ll be OK.

Step #3. The heading

It’s a curtain, not a story, thus it’s not even a title. You should also take into account this one.

The step is the part of the rod that extends above the rest of the piece.

It’s not a must, but it’s nice to look at.

As though you were hemming it, this is what you’re doing.

To make things easier, twice the measurement.

Because it travels in both directions, if you want to add something 2 inches high, you’ll need to add an extra 4 inches.

In addition, you must ensure that you have calculated the length of any extra hardware you intend to use.

Questions to Consider

Consider the final look of your curtains before choosing your cloth. Several

  • No, I don’t want it to reach the ceiling.
  • Would it be better if the curtain fell to the floor or if a radiator could still be seen through it?
  • What is the diameter of the curtain rod you intend to use?
  • Will the curtain cover the full window and trim, or will it be hung in the recess of the window?
  • What’s your ideal curtain height?

Calculate the Length of Each Panel

To figure out how much fabric you’ll need for each panel, use the following formula:

Header (facing) + 1 inch to turn under half an inch at either end of the panel + Hem (leave 2 to 3 inches, depending on the weight of the fabric) + Total fabric needed =

You’ll have exactly the right quantity for each panel if you do this.

A 3-inch hem on a piece of light-weight fabric is usually the best way to “weight” the hem and ensure that it hangs well. In order to calculate the total cost of the curtains, you should:

To get the total amount of fabric needed, multiply the number of panels by the total panel length.

Additional inches may be needed for tie backs or ruffles or for fabric shrinkage or for additional width.

How to Measure & Make Curtains - YouTube

Calculate the Width

Many windows require more fabric than a single length can provide. One and a half to two times the breadth of the space a curtain is intended to cover is a good general rule of thumb. The fullness of a heavier fabric can’t be achieved with a lighter cloth. The lighter the fabric, the more fullness it will need.

When you need to add width to a panel, it is recommended to have at least half the width of the original fabric. If you simply need a couple of extra inches, you can cut the first length of fabric and sew the second length to the first length to get the extra length you need.

To get the desired width, increase the number of panel lengths. Curtains’ side hems normally just need to be 1 inch wide.

Match the Prints

Pattern repeat indications can be found on the selvage of many print fabrics. As a result of these markings, you can easily make all of your panels look exactly alike. The number of yards of additional fabric you’ll need is determined by how many times the pattern repeats. It’s impossible to avoid having to buy more to match a print in the first place.

Before You Make Your Final Purchase

  • Is there any shrinkage of the fabric? Before cutting the fabric, always preshrink it.
  • Have you checked your numbers one more time? Before cutting, always double-check your measurements.
  • How much sunlight does each window get, or is one set of panels more vulnerable than the rest? Consider purchasing enough fabric for a second set of panels while you’re doing it.

Solutions for Fabric Shortages

  • Hem and topper facings should be sewn separately from the curtain’s back fabric, which is a different color. In order to keep the extra fabric from dangling from the curtain, use under-stitching.
  • In order to extend length and/or width, use contrasting fabric borders.
  • To help a curtain hang properly, add some drapery weights to the mix.

FAQS

How do I get started when measuring for curtains?

The first step is to get your pole or track fittings in place before you start thinking about fabric. In this video tutorial, you’ll discover how to measure up. Using a metal tape measure, measure 10-20cm above the window and 15-30cm on either side. Don’t include the finials when determining the pole’s length (i.e. measure between them).

How much fabric do I need for the curtain drop?

The length of a curtain is not fixed. Sill-length curtains may have a calming effect on you. The “puddled” look, with a flood of extra curtain fabric flowing over the floor below, might be more your style. However, there is no right or incorrect solution – but nothing should happen by chance! As a result, before placing your curtain fabric purchase, make sure to unfold the tape measure once more to ensure that you get the style you like and do not waste money on material you won’t need.

A common feature of full-length curtains is that they sit slightly above the floor, allowing the curtains to hang straight and keeping them away from possibly unclean floors.1

In order to know where to begin your measurements, you’ll need to decide on a kind of curtain heading and whether or not you’ll be using a track or a pole.

How to measure for pencil pleat curtains?

If you decide to use a track to hang your pencil pleat curtains, be sure to take your measurement from the track’s highest point. This is to ensure that when your curtain is drawn, it will obscure the track. You should measure from the curtain ring’s eye to the finished drop when selecting a pole. After that, your drapes will be secured to the pole and be ready to hang.

Depending on where you want your curtains to hang, you may need to take a measurement from the track or pole to the desired finishing drop.

How to measure for eyelet curtains?

To get the finished drop of your eyelet curtains, take the measurement from the top of the pole and multiply it by 5 centimeters. It is customary to place eyelets 5cm below the surface of the fabric, so keep this in mind while planning your design.

There should be at least 5cm clearance above your curtain pole for eyelet curtains to be made by us, so do let us know if you don’t have enough clearance.

How to measure for tab-top curtains?

Simply measure the appropriate drop from the top of the curtain rod for tab or tie top curtains. You may be wondering how many widths of cloth you’ll need for curtains.

How many widths of fabric do I need for curtains?

In order to obtain a beautiful look, curtains must have at least 2 to 2 12 times the fabric’s fullness, which is decided by the curtain heading type that you choose.

For each category, we’ve provided a list of the appropriate fullness for your writing.

Double the fullness of the pencil pleats (6′′ pencil pleat tape can be increased to 2.5′′ for added fullness)

Double the thickness of a tab or eyelet

Pinch Pleats with a 2.3 fullness Double

Fullness of 2.5 Triple Pinch Pleats

Fullness of a wave x 2.3

How much curtain fabric do you need? There’s a simple formula for that. For example: 150cm x 2.5 = 375cm for a 150cm x 2.5 = 150cm pole width Once you’ve done that, double the result by the normal fabric width, which is 137cm. Then, to get the required number of widths, round that number up to the next full number (3). A plain fabric with a 175cm drop x 3 = 525cm wide, thus I’d need to order 5.5metres of curtain fabric to cover the windows.

Depending on the size of the pattern repeat, you should take into account how much extra fabric you’ll need to purchase to match the pattern. Take the length of the curtain, add the hem allowance for the chosen heading, and divide this amount by the pattern repeat.

Take the following example: A 220cm curtain with a 25cm hem (for pencil pleat). 245cm is the result of multiplying 220cm by 25cm. The pattern has a 64cm repetition. This works out to 3.8 times if you split 245cm by 64cm = 4 repeats. There are four 64cm repeats needed for each drop (256cm total).

How to Measure for Curtains

On each product page, you can use our CURTAIN & BLIND CALCULATOR to get the answer!

How flexible are you when I order curtain fabric?

Because we sell most of our lovely collection by the half-metre and even offer a made-to-measure option for bespoke schemes, we’ll never make you order more curtain fabric than you need from Just Fabrics. With our free Virtual Visit service, we can assess your needs through video call and help determine how much fabric you will need. Regardless of how much fabric you think you need, we are here to help you out.

As a rule of thumb, it’s always a good idea to include at least one extra repeat of the pattern in your total if you’re constructing your own garments.

How Important Is It To Have A Curtain?

Curtains are fantastic since they can be used for a variety of things, and they can also bring color to the room.

Without a curtain, your living room or bedroom would appear drab.

Another option is to make it extremely bright. There are times when the sun shines so brightly that the temperature can rise.

Curtains can also be used to hide objects inside the house from the outside world, which is another benefit.

When you’re changing or engaging in activities that aren’t meant to be public, the curtain shields you from the world.

In fact, it’s a design element that brings the whole thing together. Matching designs will be possible all throughout.

Curtains aren’t just used to cover a window; they also serve a variety of other purposes.

It is also vital to accurately measure a curtain fabric in order to ensure that it will hang properly and blend in with the rest of the room’s decor.

Conclusion!

New information, especially when it pertains to your personal life and interests, is a necessity.

It’s a good thing we’ve answered the question, “How do you measure fabric?” you know that you’re not alone in this.

You may also learn a lot about curtains and other things by reading blogs.