How Much Fabric for Curtains
Guide & Worksheet to
Calculate How Much Fabric you need to make Curtains
We have created a worksheet to assist you in calculating the amount of fabric you will need to make your curtains. (see the tips below, for lining and interlining).
We suggest you read through the notes below and then download the worksheet and print a copy to write your measurements on. The worksheet might also come in hand to take out with you, if you are buying your fabric from a shop.
In order to work out how much fabric you need to make curtains, you will need to establish 3 main measurements:
1. The width of the track of pole
The useable length of the track or pole (ie., excluding the finials) should extend at least 20cm either side of the window. This is to allow for the "stackback" area, ie., when the curtains are pulled back, away from the window, during the day.
As with all curtain styling, proportion is the key, so if you have a small window on a large wall, you might decide to have a stackback area in excess of 50cm each side of the window.
2. The length of the finished curtains
Measure from the bottom of a ring on a pole (not the bottom of the eye) or, the top of a track, to your desired length.
Generally, floor length curtains look more elegant. Short curtains tend to make the ceiling look lower.
3. The pattern repeat on the fabric
It is very important to ascertain the pattern repeat, in order to have sufficient fabric to allow you to choose the position of the pattern on your curtains. For instance, if the pattern depicts a posy of flowers, you might choose to have the full posy commence at the hemline of your curtains.
The pattern repeat is always noted with the fabric information, along with the fabric care instructions, pattern name, colourway, fabric composition etc. Nevertheless, if this information is not available, you can easily measure it yourself.
Overlap Arm
Most corded tracks have an overlap arm to enable the curtains to overlap, for better privacy and light exclusion, when they are pulled closed. By default the worksheet provides for an 8cm overlap, but this can be adjusted or deleted as required.
Returns
Curtains look much more attractive (particularly from the side) if the outer edges return back to the wall. This also helps with light exclusion and privacy. Simply fit a screw-eye into the wall (using a rawplug) to hold the end curtain hook and so, secure the curtain back to the wall. By default the worksheet provides for an 8cm return on each curtain, but you can adjust this to suit.
Fullness
Fullness refers to the amount of extra fabric used to form the pleats or folds in the curtains. It is usual to have 2.5 times more fabric than the basic width of the pole. Some headings, such as box pleats and smocked headings, will need 3 times more fabric.
Width of Fabric
Most curtain fabric is 137cm (some is 154cm). The width of the fabric is important when it comes to joining fabric for wider curtains. By default, the worksheet for a fabric width of 137cm. However, if you will need to join widths of fabric, you may wish to play it safer and say the fabric is 130cm wide. This will leave you ample fabric to ensure you can get the perfect pattern match when joining the widths.
If you intend to line your curtains, assuming the lining is the same width as the curtain fabric, you can also use the worksheet to calculate how much lining you will need.
Once you have filled in the worksheet to calculate your curtain fabric, simply go straight to Step 4 and swap the "Size of Each Cut Length" (the green box) for the "Raw Drop" which you calculated at Step 3A.
As you can see, the only difference is, you don't have to worry about the pattern repeats (calculated at Step 3B and 3C), so you will require a little less lining fabric than you do curtain fabric.
If you are going to interline your curtains, you will need the same amount of interlining as you do lining.