How To Measure Pleated Curtains

Pleated curtains are a classic and elegant choice for any window. They have a neat and tidy appearance that can suit any decor style. But how do you measure for pleated curtains? In this post, we’ll show you how to measure for pleated curtains in a few simple steps.

How to measure for pleated curtains:

• Measure the width of your curtain rod or track with a steel tape measure.
• Decide on the length and width of your curtains.
• Decide on the type and size of your pleats.
• Calculate the amount of material you need.

Step 1: Measure the width of your curtain rod or track

The first step is to measure the width of your curtain rod or track. This will determine how wide your curtains need to be. You should install your curtain rod or track before you measure it, as this will affect the measurements.

Using a steel tape measure, fit your curtain rod or track 10-20cm above the window, and 15-30cm either side of it. This will allow your curtains to cover the window completely and create a nice drape. When measuring the width of the rod or track, measure in-between the finials (the decorative ends) if there are any. Don’t include them in your measurement.

If you have a curtain track with an overlap, you need to measure the whole width from end to end, and then measure the width of the overlap. Add these two figures together for your final width.

Step 2: Decide on the length and width of your curtains

The next step is to decide how long and wide you want your curtains to be. This will depend on your personal preference and the style of your room. There are four main lengths when it comes to curtains:

• Windowsill curtains: These are shorter curtains that end at the windowsill. They are best suited for kitchens and bedrooms where windows tend to be elevated. These curtains should be 1cm above the windowsill.
• Apron curtains: These come down about four inches below your windowsill and have a more casual feel than windowsill curtains. They are great if you have a radiator under your window as they stop heat escaping out of the window. These should end 15cm below the edge of the windowsill.
• Floor-length curtains: These curtains drape down to the floor and are popular in living rooms where you have larger windows. They’re the easiest to maintain and to open and close. These should be 1cm above the floor.
• Puddle curtains: These curtains ‘puddle’ on the floor and extend between 1-3 inches longer than floor length curtains. The result is a dramatic look that is effective in areas such as dining rooms and living rooms. Please note: Care should be taken around small children and pets as this could be a trip hazard.

To measure for the length of your curtains, always measure from the eye of the curtain ring if you are using a rod, or from the top of the track if you are using a track. If you decide on above-the-windowsill curtains, measure to your windowsill and take off 1cm (0.5 inch). For an apron drop, measure 15cms (6 inches) below your windowsill. For full-length curtains, measure to the floor and then take off 1cm (0.5 inch). For puddle curtains, measure to the floor and then add on 1-3 inches, depending on the effect you want to create.

To measure for the width of your curtains, you need to consider how much fabric you want to gather on each side of the window when they are open. This is called the fullness of your curtains. A standard fullness is two times the width of your rod or track. This means that if your rod or track is 50 inches wide, you need 100 inches of fabric for one curtain panel. A deluxe fullness is two and a half times the width of your rod or track. This means that if your rod or track is 50 inches wide, you need 125 inches of fabric for one curtain panel. A maximum fullness is three times the width of your rod or track. This means that if your rod or track is 50 inches wide, you need 150 inches of fabric for one curtain panel.

To measure for the width of your curtains, multiply the width of your rod or track by your desired fullness factor (2, 2.5 or 3) and divide by the number of panels you want. This will give you the width of one curtain panel. For example, if your rod or track is 60 inches wide and you want a deluxe fullness with two panels, you need to multiply 60 by 2.5 and divide by two. This gives you 75 inches for one curtain panel.

Step 3: Decide on the type and size of your pleats

The third step is to decide what type and size of pleats you want for your curtains. This will affect the amount of material you need and the look of your curtains.

There are three main types of pleats for curtains: eyelet, pencil, and pinch. At Graham & Brown, we sell all three styles:

• Eyelet pleats: Eyelet pleats have wide pleats and can be hung on most curtain rods. The eyelet curtains sold by Graham & Brown are best fit on a curtain rod with a 35mm diameter. Rings are embedded in the material at the top of the curtains so they can be hung directly onto the rod – this makes them unsuitable for hanging on tracks.
• Pencil pleats: Pencil pleat curtains have a more tightly gathered pleat that comes together when you pull the cords in the heading tape. We offer 3″ and 6″ pencil pleat curtains, and they can be hung on most curtain rods and tracks.
• Pinch pleats: Pinch pleats also have tight pleats but, unlike pencil pleat curtains, they are stitched into the fabric to make them permanently gathered. This makes them a particularly luxurious style of curtain. They are available in either a double or triple pleat for a fuller finish and they can be hung on either curtain rods or tracks.

The size of your pleats depends on how much fabric you want to use for each pleat. The more fabric you use, the deeper and fuller your pleats will be. The less fabric you use, the shallower and narrower your pleats will be.

To measure for the size of your pleats, you need to divide the width of your curtain panel by the number of pleats you want. This will give you the amount of fabric you need for each pleat. For example, if your curtain panel is 75 inches wide and you want 15 pleats, you need to divide 75 by 15 to get 5 inches for each pleat.

Step 4: Calculate the amount of material you need

The final step is to calculate the amount of material you need for your curtains. You will need to take into account some extra fabric for hems, headers, seams, and allowances. How much extra fabric you need depends on the style of curtain you want to make and the type of fabric you are using.

To calculate the amount of material you need, follow these steps:

• Add 8 inches to the length of your curtain panel for hems and headers. For example, if your curtain panel is 80 inches long, add 8 inches to get 88 inches.
• Add 1 inch to the width of your curtain panel for seams and allowances. For example, if your curtain panel is 75 inches wide, add 1 inch to get 76 inches.
• Multiply the length by the width of your curtain panel to get the area of one panel. For example, if your curtain panel is 88 inches long and 76 inches wide, multiply 88 by 76 to get 6688 square inches.
• Divide the area of one panel by 144 to get the number of square yards for one panel. For example, if your panel is 6688 square inches, divide by 144 to get 46.44 square yards.
• Multiply the number of square yards for one panel by the number of panels you need to get the total number of square yards for all panels. For example, if you need two panels and each panel is 46.44 square yards, multiply by two to get 92.88 square yards.
• Round up the total number of square yards to the nearest whole number to get the amount of material you need to buy. For example, if you need 92.88 square yards, round up to 93 square yards.

Dale

Dale is the colorful mind behind HuetifulHomes.com, where he shows you how to create a home that is as fun and fabulous as you are. He has a passion for color and a knack for DIY, with years of interior design experience he shares his tips and tricks on how to create a home that reflects your personality and style. He believes that color is the key to happiness, and he wants to help you make your home more Huetiful.