Guide to measuring

Guide to Measuring

Getting accurate measurements at the start of your project is so important, and will hugely impact the success of your finished curtains.

Measuring for a Window Curtain

• The pole should ideally sit halfway between the top of the window frame and the ceiling. To calculate this height measurement, subtract the window frame to floor measurement from the ceiling to floor measurement.
• Once the pole is up, measure from the bottom of the ring to the floor to obtain the curtain length.
• Adding a couple of centimetres to the length always looks quite nice; however, it's worth keeping in mind that your curtains will eventually drop a centimetre or two over time. For this reason, I always make my curtains to the length measured from the bottom of the ring to the floor.
• If you want your curtains to puddle on the floor, add around 10cm.
• How much your pole overhangs on each side somewhat depends on the situation. If your windows are 4m wide for example, you will need quite a large space either side for your curtains to sit without blocking the light. An average amount that normally works quite well is 20cm either side of the window.
• Now, you can measure the width of your window and include the overhang on each side to obtain the curtain width.
• For a pencil pleat curtain, you want to multiply the width by 2 to achieve a nice fullness.

In summary:

From the bottom of the ring to floor + any extra = final curtain length

Width of your window + 20cm either side x 2 = final curtain width

For example

230cm + 0cm = 230cm = final curtain length

150cm + 20cm + 20cm x 2 = 380cm = final curtain width

Measuring for a Counter Curtain

• Before making your curtain, fit your pole first as this will help you to obtain the most accurate measurements.
• For the width, measure between the two brackets of your pole.
• For a rod pocket curtain, measure from the top of the pole to the floor.
• Keep in mind that floors and walls may not be particularly straight. For this reason, it's best to take a length measurement in a few places and use the smaller of the two measurements
• If you are fitting the counter curtain in a kitchen, it's worth deducting a centimetre from the final measurement to avoid the bottom of your curtain getting dirty.

In summary:

From the top of the pole to the floor – 1cm = final curtain length

Width between the pole brackets x 1.25 + 8cm = final curtain width

For example

91cm – 1cm = 90cm

60cm x 1.25 + 8 = 83cm