How Many Yards of Material Do I Need to Make Curtains?
Curtain construction is a simple project that you can complete without using a printed pattern. Depending on the desired plushness or fullness of the finished curtain, the combined width of the curtain is typically two to three times the width of the window. Sketch the curtain, including the dimensions, to begin this project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Measurements
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Three measurements are needed to determine how many yards of fabric are required to make curtains. Measure and note the height and width of the desired finished curtain, as well as the width of your selected fabric. Fabric is typically available in widths ranging from 36 to 60 inches. To construct a curtain panel without a vertical seam, you may need to use 60-inch wide fabric, depending on the width of your window and the desired plushness of the finished curtain.
Plushness and Fabric Width
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Combined curtain panel widths are typically two to three times the width of the window. To construct a two-panel curtain, each panel should be 1 to 1.5 times as wide as the window, plus the width of seam allowances. Wider curtain panels produce a more plush finished curtain. To simplify construction, select fabric that is at least 1 to 1.5 times as wide as the window.
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Seam and Hem Allowances
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The width of each panel is equal to 1 to 1.5 times the width of the window, plus 3 to 4 inches. This provides 1.5 to 2 inches of fabric on each lateral side of the panel for the vertical hems. Add 4 to 8 inches to the desired length of the finished panel to estimate yards of fabric per panel. The width of hem and casing allowances depends on how you will suspend your curtain panels and the desired width of the lower hem.
Total Yardage for a Two-Panel Curtain
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Add the desired finished curtain length to the upper and lower seam allowances to calculate the amount of fabric needed per panel. Multiply that length by two to calculate total number of inches needed to complete the two-panel curtain. Then divide the final number by 36 to determine the necessary yardage.
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References
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