How To Measure Fabric For Curtains 11 Steps With Pictures

In general, curtains extend four inches below the window. If you would like that style of curtain, simply add four inches to the finished height. However, if you would like floor-length curtains, you must measure the distance from the window to the floor. Subtract one inch from this number and add the difference to the finished height. If you are mounting curtains inside the window frame, measure down to ½ inch above the sill.

How far on either side do you wish your curtains to extend? Curtains generally go about four inches beyond the window on either side, meaning you will need to add eight inches in total to the finished width. However, if you want your curtains to match the curtain rod’s length, measure that to get the finished width instead. [1] X Research source [2] X Research source

Will your curtains have a decorative header at the top? You will need to add double the length of this header to the final height of your fabric. If you plan on hemming your fabric, add four times the length of the hem to the height and width needed. For example, a standard one-inch hem would add four inches to each length. Keep in mind that a wider hem looks nicer.

Flat curtain panels = 1. 0 Eyelet curtains = 1. 35 Wave curtains = 2. 2 Gathered headings = 1. 8 Pencil pleat = 2. 0[4] X Research source

For example, let’s say you’re working with a 48"-wide, 36"-tall window with a curtain rod 6" above. You want standard 4" overlays (both vertical and horizontal), 1/2" hems, and a fullness ratio of 1. 8 for a gathered heading style. You would like your curtains to be broken up into two panels. Your final estimated width would be: The width (48") plus twice the overlay (4"). You would then divide this length (56") by the number of panels (2). Next, add four times the hem (0. 5"). Finally, multiply this final number (30") by the fullness ratio (1. 8), yielding a width of 54". This can also be expressed with the equation 1. 8 x ((48 + 2 x 4)/2 + 4 x 0. 5) = 54. Your final estimated height would be a much simpler: Just add the height of the window (36") to four times the hem (0. 5") along with the overlay (4") and distance to the rod (6"). In this example, you would need to buy 48 inches (120 cm) of fabric. This can also be expressed as the equation 36 + 4 x 0. 5 + 4 + 6 = 48.

Using the previous example: Take the final height (48") and multiply it by the number of panels needed (2). Divide this length (96") by the number of inches in a yard (36"), giving you a minimum yardage of 2. 67. The equation used here would be (48 x 2)/36 = 2. 67 yards (2. 44 m). This number rounded up would be 3 total yards.

Using the previous example with a vertical repeat of 12. 5 inches (31. 8 cm): Divide the final height (48") by the vertical repeat (12. 5), which is 3. 84. This number rounded up would be 4. You will need to calculate your yardage again using 4 times the vertical repeat (or 50") in place of the final length. The number yards you’ll need to buy would be: (50 x 2)/36 or 2. 78 yards. Rounded up, this number is 3 yards. Luckily, in this instance you would be paying for the same amount of fabric as you would if it wasn’t patterned. [5] X Research source If you skip this step, you will end up with curtains with patterns that don’t match up. If that’s the look you want, then go for it. However, in general, patterned curtains that are out of synch look sloppy and unprofessional.