Advice needed - making curtains

soba

I want a door curtain for my front door and for various reasons I'm planning on making one. I need some help regarding measuring the drop. I've got a couple of curtain making books, but both of them only give help on measuring if using a pole. I'm going to use track, and when I've made a couple of 'trial' curtains before, they've never been the right length.
So, if my door and the window above it is 96" in length and I want my track about 4 inches above that how do I work out the total length? Do I measure from the top of the track, or where the hooks hang or is there another way?
Sorry if it's a dim question, but I don't want to be altering the curtains once they're made and put up.
Thanks, and sorry for rambling,
soba

flea72

measure from where you want the curtains to start,

so if your rail is 4" above the door, and depending on which row of the header tape you use, you may need to make them 1" or 2" longer than that, so

96" + 4" + 2" + 3" (for hem) = a piece of fabric thats roughly 105" long - with a drop of 102"

does that make sense?

Flea

jojo3_2

I measure from the top of the track, which is where the top of your curtain will be when you have finished it. Allow 10 cm top and bottom for hemming etc. and remember that when you open the door you will have to make sure that the curtain is fully pulled back as otherwise you may just end up pulling it off the track - or worse- the track off the wall when you open the door! There used to be fab tracks that were door mounted but I haven't seen one for years.
And I love your camper. One just like it is on my wish list!

JillD_2

personally, I would make the measurement as described but allow a fair amount over (I know this could be seen as wasteful, but I'm only talking 6 inches). Make the curtain all bar the bottom hem, hang it then oin it to length whilst hung. My curtains always end up wonky and the right length at one end and a few inches too short at the other end unles I do them this way.

Elliesmum

I agree with the other posters, a big hem is the way for long curtains, helps them hang better.

EM x

jojo3_2

Yes. I'd definitely only hem it when I'd checked it for length as JillD says.

jayne26

great to see money saving at its best, curtains ect can be made for a fraction of the price , save your money and make do and mend , i made all ours and my wedding clothes , more money left over for wine ....

gargoyle

have never made curtains, how easy are they and what's the best way to start?

elsien

My advice would be don't!

I just had to join and line 2 curtains as I couldn't find any the right size for my huge windows, and couldn't find the right material cheap enough. (Well. I say me, but i really mean my mum with me watching and making helpful comments.) it took days because we couldn't find the right size lining. took lots of hand sewing, doing and undoing, and nearly caused a major domestic.

Then the curtain rail broke putting them back up.

I'm sticking to blinds from now on.

hardpressed

If you've got a draught under the front door it's a good idea to make the curtain a few inches too long and let it drape on the floor to stop the draught.

soba

Hi, just an update. Have been into the local charity shop this afternoon, and managed to pick up a pair of curtains for £1 !!!!!!!!
If anything, they're slightly too long, but as hardpressed says, this'll help stop any draughts, as I've got old oak floorboards by the front door.
I'm so pleased, I gave them a donation as well, so everyone's happy.
Thanks for your help,
soba