How to Determine Curtain Fabric Quantities?

For a curtain fabric retailer, confidence in judging the right amount of fabrics is vital to addressing customer needs quickly. Nothing is more frustrating than running out of stock during high sales season or ending up with too much fabric and money locked up. We will guide you through these steps for accurately calculating curtain fabric quantity on your inventory, from how to calculate curtain fabric, much like making a pattern in sewing, to considering the fabric patterns and customer preferences.

How to Calculate Curtain Fabric

Knowing how to measure curtain fabric is important, especially if you sell curtains in your business. This is a guideline to figure out how much fabric you will need for any curtain project in the future and be able to answer that question with relative ease yourself!

Step One: Choose the Fabric

The first choice is to pick a suitable fabric for the curtain because the width of the fabric directly determines how much material will be consumed. In addition, the selection of tracks or poles is key as this factor also affects the quantity of fabric required.

Step Two: Position Your Track or Pole

The track or pole should protrude 15-20cm on either side of the window, and for full-length curtains, it is best to have them skim over the floor, so you will need a protrusion above, too – we recommend this at roughly 12-15 cm. For Poles: Measure between decorative ends. Apply standard fullness (or 100% for pencil pleat): multiply the track or pole length by 1.5. Apply double/fuller fullness: multiply it by around 2. Provide 20cm all the way around for side hems.

Example: A pencil pleat for a pole length of 210cm. 440cm = 210 × 2 + 20 = 440cm

Step Three: Take My Calculator

Take time to measure things well before moving on to the next steps.

Step Four: Calculate the Required Widths of Each Slot

Add the total measurement from Step Two and divide by fabric width, then round off to the next whole number for fabric adjustments.

Example: 440cm ÷ 140cm = 3.14 Which rounds down to 3, this is why you will require 3 widths (or one and a half each curtain for the pair).

Step Five: Determine How Long or Short You Want the Drop

Measure the drop needed from the track top or just under the curtain pole to the sill/floor. Measure at least three times for accuracy and add 25cm (turning at top & hem).

Example: Required drop: 120cm 120cm + 25 cm = 145cm

Step Six: Amount of Fabric Needed

Multiply the width by the total lengths needed. Multiply the profile width by the number of widths.

Example: 145cm x 3 lengths = 435cm or 4.35 meters

Step Seven: Plan for Fabric Pattern Repeats

If the material is patterned, add the length of background and motif repeat to drop so you guarantee that when your curtains are drawn they match up. Multiply this new length by the number of widths needed.

Example: Pattern repeat: 27cm 145cm + 27cm = 172cm 172cm x 3 widths = 516cm or 5.2 meters

Curtain lining is usually not pattern-matched and cuts the full width of your pole or track. By following these steps closely, you can rest assured that your calculations are accurate and always keep you close to maintaining the optimal inventory in your retail store.

Read Also : Wholesale Curtain Fabrics: Types – Benefits and Expert Tips

Curtain Fabric Length Calculations

Simple panel curtains are easy to measure, but only if you start with the right amount of fabric. Here is a keen trick to accurately measure the amount of fabric you require for your panel curtains.

1- Measuring the Length of the Window Now bolt the desired length of the Panel available above and below the window to this measurement. This is the entire length of the Panel.

If your window width is 100 cm and you are willing to hang the panels 20 cm above and below (apropos of each Panel), it would be 100cm + 20cm + 20cm = 140 cm.

2- Think about the heading type you have selected. Different header rows require a certain amount of fabric. For example, a rod pocket heading would require half the fabric again for the pocket (making it 4 inches or thereabouts).

If you are sewing the curtains, add the hem size to your length measurement 4 times (to break it down into a simple fraction). 

For example, for a 5 cm hem, you will need 5cm × 4 = 20 cm.

The Total Length of Fabric needed for the Panel is 140cm + 10 Separate pockets of Pocket Rod = 150 cm (Main Body). Additional Hems are folded at the top and bottom of a panel, so we have to calculate hem x 2.

This should ensure you are ordering the correct length in fabric so that your panel curtains will look good and professional.

Read More: Factors to Consider When Selecting Curtain Fabric Width

Curtain Fabric Width Calculations

Getting the width of fabric right for simple panel curtains is crucial if you want them to have a nice, complete look. This is a quick guide on determining the fabric width you will need for your project.

First, accurately measure the Width of Your Window. This is crucial in getting your fabric calculation right. Measure the width of the rod from outside the window frame, excluding the finials, to determine the amount of material required for your project.

The next is how much you want it to be complete. Fullness is how much fuller the curtain hangs over your window and plays here on the drape of it. If the window is 30 inches wide and you want a fullness factor of two, for example, then 30 inches × 2 = 60 inches

This means you will need 60 inches of fabric in width per panel to achieve the volume you want.

If you want to hem the curtain panels, too, add 4 inches or so more on each side. This finish will allow us to make a nice setting, and you will not lose the overall line of your curtains with those hems.

With these steps, you can measure the fabric width for your panel curtains effectively and get an attractive, equipped product.

Read Also : Exploring the Best Fabrics for Curtains 2024

Curtain Repeated Patterns Calculations

When selecting patterned fabric for your simple curtain panels, remember to repeat the pattern. Before doing anything, you must have the pattern aligned/matched on every panel for an excellent finished fit. You should also use a single piece of fabric for each panel whenever possible. For more than one piece, ensure the pattern aligns together at the seams.

To calculate how much fabric you need for this garment, the first thought will go into the pattern repeat, the distance between the beginning of a pattern and where it starts over. Use this measurement to know how much extra fabric you need to ensure the pattern continues through each panel where it meets.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1- Measure the Window Width and Desired Drop. For this part of the process, you will need a pencil, tape measure (make sure it is easy to read), and paper or a notepad. As worked out earlier, add the extra length for hems and headings.

2- Find the Repeat: Look for this piece in a fabric description. If one pattern repeats 27 inches long, that cycle will begin again every time you come full circle to 27.

3- Estimate the Fabric for Pattern Matching: For each panel, include the pattern repeat to determine how much fabric you need so that if pulled over closed curtains, they match.

Example:

Meters in required Drop (including hems and headings): 1.45 Pattern repeat: 27 cm New drop with pattern repeat: 145 cm + 27 cm = 172 cm 

These steps are as follows: First, Multiply the drop length by the number of widths necessary to cover the window. This will give you the total amount of fabric needed.

Example:

The number of widths required is 3. The Total fabric length is Trial 2: 172 cm × Three widths = 516 cm (or you can also measure it to be the length of that dress or suit on top). 

Using these steps, make sure the stripes on your curtains match perfectly, giving them a seamless and polished style. This careful math ensures no randomly matched patterns and a professional look to your curtain panels.

Read More: Tips on How to Choose Curtain Fabric

In Conclusion

How you manage your fabric stock is important for the success of your curtain retail business. With the steps listed above, you can easily calculate fabric quantities to satisfy all of your customers. From measuring windows exactly, deciding on a pattern choice, and working out the length and width of fabric needed, we can go through these steps with you.

Buying the curtains fabric in bulk from Al Nassaj Factories means you can offer a great variety of fabrics as well, so your store viewers have different choices. Contact us Today!

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