A quick guide on how to measure for curtains to aid you in making correct, detailed measurements to order enough fabric. This is just a guide and you must consider fabric width and pattern repeats.
1. Measure the curtain width (A)
Whether you are using a metal or wooden curtain pole, use a tape to measure the distance between the finials. Finials are the decorative end s to your curtain pole. Do not include the finials in your measurement. If you have a curtain track rather than a pole, measure the total length of the track .
2. Measure the curtain drop (B or C)
Before starting, you need to decide where you want your curtains to finish. For floor-length curtains (C), measure from the top of where you want the curtain to finish on your track or below your pole, down to the ground. If your floors are uneven or not on a level, make sure you measure each side of the window and choose the shortest measurement. Either way it is safe to subtract 1 – 2 cm to make sure the bottom of the curtain does not catch the floor. For sill length curtains (B), we suggest either measuring 10 – 15cm below the sill, allowing for attractive hanging at a correct level.
a) Measuring drop for Eyelet and Tab-Top curtains
For these styles of curtain, measure from the top of the pole to where you want the curtains to hang to, giving you your final drop measurement. The ‘stand-up’ part of the curtain, the part above the pole for eyelet curtains, will ordinarily be 3cm as standard.
b) Measuring drop for Pleat Headed curtains (All other styles)
The total drop for pleated headings is measured in 2 parts – the eye drop and the header height. The eye drop is the distance from the eye (where the curtain hook attaches to the pole or track) to where your curtains will finish.
The header height is the distance from the eye to where you want the top of your curtain to come to on the track or below the pole. For tracks, we always suggest a header height that is just above the top of your track, meaning that it is not visible above the top of the curtain. If you are using a curtain pole we suggest a header height from 2cm above the eye to just above your curtain pole, depending on your taste and where to wish the top to sit. Curtains will always hang best with the smallest header height possible. Once you have your two measurements, add them together to get your total drop.