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This
chart will help you calculate
yardage for curtain panels or
drapes.
The
chart assumes that your hardware has
already been installed. If it
has not been installed, a
traverse rod should be installed at
least 4" above the window frame
(to prevent pleats from showing on
the outside of your window) and
should extend 4" past the window
frame on both sides (to prevent light from
entering on the side of the window).
Placement of decorator rods will
vary based on the type of rod (e.g.
the size of the ring, clip, etc.).
Placement of all rods depends on the
effect you want to achieve, for
example, if you want to make your
room appear to have more height, you
may want to place your rod more than
4" above the window. Some
designers place them almost to the
ceiling.
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Please
use the following diagram for
reference points:
Sill
length drapes are used very
infrequently -- you would usually
use apron length drapes.
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| 1.
Determine your cut length:
a.
Determine finished length in inches.
Measure from the top of the rod to
the desired lengths. Full
length are usually about 1/2" from
the floor. Sheers beneath
drapes are about 1 1/2" from the
floor. If you want to puddle
them, allow about 12"-18" for
puddling. Shorter drapes
usually extend 4" below the apron.
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Finished Length
in inches
=____________
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b.
Allow for header. Typical
allowance is 8" (4" doubled).
If using pleater tape, this may vary
depending on the type of tape used
and the method of application.
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+
Header in inches:__________
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c.
Allow for hems. Typically 8"
(4" doubled).
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+
Hem in inches:____________
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d.
Cut Length. This is the length
you will use for each panel of your
fabric.
For
print fabric, you must make an
addition - see * below. |
=
Cut Length
for solids or
vertical stripes: ____________
*Cut
Length
for prints:
______________
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2.
Determine your finished width:
a.
Measure the width of your rod. |
Rod width
in inches: ________________
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b.
Add for returns and overlaps.
This is typically 7" for a traverse
rod and 18" for a double traverse
rod. |
+
Amt. for returns
& overlaps in
inches:
______________
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c.
Finished width |
=
Finished width ____________
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3.
Determine the fullness you want:
This
is usually 3 to 1, 2 1/2 to 1 or 2
to 1. Use 3 to 1 for lighter
weight fabrics where you want more
gathering or fullness. Use 2
to 1 for heavier fabrics or where
you want the pattern to be more
apparent.
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Desired Fullness:
(2, 2.5, 3):
__________ |
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4.
Determine the number of panels
that you need:
a.
Take the finished width from step 2.
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a. Finished with:
__________
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b.
Multiply by the fullness determined
in step 3.
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x
b. Fullness
____________ |
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c.
Divide this by the width of your
fabric (in inches).
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c. Width of
Fabric in inches: _______ |
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d.
This will determine the number of
panels you need.
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=
d. Number of panels: ______ |
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5.
Determine the yardage needed:
A.
Multiply the cut length determined
in Step 1. Use cut length for
solids or for prints as appropriate
for your fabric.
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a. Cut Length: ____________
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B.
By the number of panels needed
(determined in step 4).
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x
b. Number of
panels needed: ___________ |
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C.
This will give you the total length
you need in inches.
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=
Total inches of
length needed: ___________ |
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D.
Divide by 36 inches in a yard.
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36 |
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E.
This will give you the yards you
need for one window (if you it
does not divide evenly, you need to
round up to the next highest whole
number or the next fraction.
9"= 1/4 yard, 12"= 1/3 yard, 18" =
1/2 yard, 24" = 2/3 yard, 27" = 3/4
yard).
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=
Yards needed: ___________ |
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You
will need to determine the yardage
needed for each window and add them
together. Be sure to measure
each window individually - the sizes
will often vary, even in the same
room. Use a metal tape
measure.
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*
FOR PRINT FABRICS (fabrics with a
vertical repeat).
When
you are using a patterned fabric
with a vertical repeat, you must
allow for the repeat so that you can
"match" the pattern across the width
of the fabric.
To
do so, take the cut length you would
need if your fabric were a solid and
divide that by the fabric's
"vertical repeat". This will
usually give you a number plus a
fraction. Round that up to the
nearest whole number and take it
times the vertical repeat.
That will give you the cut length
inches needed for Step 1.
For
example, you have determined that
you need a cut length of 100" (if
the fabric were solid). The
fabric has a vertical repeat of 16".
10016= 6.25. You will need to
round the 6.25 up to 7 and take that
times 16". Your cut length
(for prints) in Step 1 would then be
7x16=112". So you would enter
112 as your cut length in Step 1d
and that is the length you would
enter in Step 5a.
There are a few fabrics with a half
drop (e.g. our toiles). If you
need help figuring yardage for
those, please e-mail us. |
