Curtain question! How many widths would you say is right?

tillycat123

Not quite sure where to post this question so apologies if in the wrong place.

I've just had a lady round to measure my windows for curtains. She said double pleat would look best and said I needed 2 1/2 widths per curtain so 5 widths in total.

The rail would be 280cm long.

Does that seem right? It seems an awful lot to me, I don't want them looking really bulky when pulled back.

Many thanks for any pointers!

Linda32

I just buy the nearest I can get. So in your case each curtain would be 140cm wide a the shortest. I would then buy the nearest to this size obviously going wider if necessary, rather than shorter.

I'm not fussed about gather, but that amount bigger seems an awful lot wider than necessary.

joedenise

Depends how much gather you want and the weight of the fabric. If it's a lightweight fabric I would go with double the width, if it's a heavy fabric then 1 and half times the width.

Denise

empressemma

Yeah, for 2.5 fullness that's spot on.

You can go just double width, which would be 2 widths per curtain, so the difference is just 1 drop of extra fabric. What kind of heading were you after?

paddy's_mum

I'm afraid that I am exactly the opposite and go as full as possible. To my mind, nothing looks more niggardly and uncared-for as skimpy curtains.

My own are usually somewhere between 2 and 3 widths depending on the weight of the fabric eg velvet is bulkier than say a light summery cotton.

If the OP's window is a main room in the house - which a 2.80m track suggests that it is - 2 and a half widths of fabric doesn't sound excessive to me and is what most curtain measuring advice seems to recommend.

Going4TheDream

What is the width of the fabric? 48/54 inches this will be about right for double if its 60 you could get away with 4 width

280 x 2 is 560 divided by width of fabric will give you number of drops required.

You can go 1.5 times, it depends on the look that you want to achieve.

I have made triple width too which on pencil heading gives a very nice full curtain that drops nicely. The thickness of the fabric will affect the hanging also

I used to make curtains and trying to convince people that they shouldnt skimp on widths was the biggest problem, they were prepared to pay a lot for a metre of fabric but wanted to get away with as few widths as possible!

Fruball

I like full curtains so 2.5 times the width would be fine.

I have some which are only 1.5 the width and I hate them.

rachbc

2 1/2 is about right for a pleat heading - I got away with 2 1/4 for my pinch pleat ones - which was 4 widths per curtain and 24 metres of fabric in total!!

If you are having them made I'd hazard a guess they won't be cheap so I wouldn't skimp on fabric - if you do you might as well go for off the peg curtains

tillycat123

Thank you ladies for your replies much appreciated.

Yes curtains for the lounge, duel aspect as well so x 2!!!

It was a bit of an eye opener with the price, she said I needed 25 metres of fabric. I only want a plain textured cream and it was £25 per metre and I would say a medium weight.

Her charge to make 2 full length pairs was £520 + fabric and the total was around £1300.......280cm pole by drop of 210cm x 2 lots.

I've made huge vintage fabric wall hangings and just want my curtains to be plain off white and not too bulky as I don't want them being the feature of the room.

My ceilings are not standard height and I think the drop was 210cm.

Is £520 a good price for the making of 2 pairs of full length lined curtains?
These are replacing Laura Ashley made to measure ones that 9 years ago cost me £500.

Pooky

Having never paid for curtains to be made I'd not know if it's good or not. Get some more quotes and compare (independent shops will be more competitive and just as skilled).

joedenise

Agree with Pooky, you need to get more quotes. I'd get at least 3 and then compare.

Denise