How to measure

STYLE CHECKLIST

When choosing curtains it's a good idea to clarify your thoughts by separating off some of the different elements involved. Below is a quick checklist of questions to ask yourself. Look through them, then read on for possible solutions and a fuller description of any particular effects you want to create.

What length?
Hung from a pole or a track?
Which heading?
With or without a valance, pelmet or swags and tails?
Hung straight or held with tiebacks?
Lined or unlined?

Combined with sheers or a blind?

WHAT LENGTH?

Sill-length curtains work well in cottage style rooms with recessed windows, or with horizontal windows in modern homes. Curtains should barely touch the sill.

Below-sill length can look untidy when drawn back - use a tieback or curtain holdback to drape them attractively. If you have a radiator under the window the curtains should be finished just above it.
Floor-length curtains work best at sash windows, in bays and bows and on French or picture windows. The curtains should almost touch the floor with no visible gap. Where the curtains won't get underfoot, you can let the fabric tumble, or puddle, on to the floor in arranged folds.
Cafe curtains give privacy at the lower half of the window while letting in light at the top.

How to measure for curtains:

· Use a steel measuring tape - cloth tapes are not accurate.
· Take exact measurements - round down to the nearest quarter of an inch (1/4").
· On your notes, clearly indicate which measurement is the width and which is the length. It is very common to transpose measurements.
· Measure all the windows in the room.

Measuring Width

To arrive at the proper width of your window, measure from the outside of the molding, unless window treatment is inside molding. Fullness should be 2 1/2 times this measurement, depending on the style of curtain and personal taste.

Measuring Length

To arrive at the proper length for your curtain, measure from the top of molding, or top of rod, if rods are already in place, to the point where you want the bottom of your curtain to be (usually 1 inch)

Measuring for Panel Curtains

· Use a folding ruler or metal tape for measuring-cloth tapes may stretch or sag.

· Start length measurement where you want the Rod hung, then measure towards the bottom windowsill to the spot where you want the curtains to end. This Length measurement is the finished length of your curtain panels.

· The combined width of both curtain panels (2 panels come in a set) should equal 2 1/2 times the total width of your window

· Start width measurement up to 4" on either side of window and follow through to other side. Use guidelines in tip #3 above to determine what your finished width should be.

Let’s measure your window:

1) Measure the width of the window frame (A to B)

2) Measure the width of window frame molding (C)

3) Measure the length of the window frame (D to E)

4) Measure the length from the top of the window frame to the floor (F to G)

5) Measure the distance from the ceiling to the top of the window frame (H)

Measuring your window to use existing hardware:

The starting point for measuring the length varies with the type of rod.
1) For wall or frame mounted traverse rods, start measuring 1/2” above the top of the rod.
2) For ceiling mounted traverse rods, start measuring 1/4” below the top of the rod.
3) For decorative traverse rods, start measuring from the bottom of the curtain ring.

To determine fabric yardage for curtains, measure the area you want to cover, multiply the width of that area by 1.5-3X. Decide how long you want your curtain, plus an allowance for hems. I add a double four inch turn to the top and bottom, so a total of sixteen inches per panel. Divide your multiplied width by the width of the fabric, which is generally 54-60 inches with drapery fabrics. This will be the amount of panels you will need to cover your window the appropriate fullness. Multiply the number of panels by the length of your panels, and you have your yardage.