How do you measure for French pleat curtains
Matthew Barrera
Updated on May 01, 2026
Multiply the number of widths by the cutting length. In the example, the width of 188 inches divided by 54 inches equals approximately 3.5 widths. Multiply 3.5 by the cutting length to give you the amount of fabric in inches. Divide this value in inches by 36 inches to calculate the yardage.
How many inches are between French pleats?
For example, if the hooks for the pleats will be 3 inches from the wall, allow 3 inches from the first and last pleats to the end of the hemmed fabric. The spacing between the pleats will be simply the width of the finished panel divided by the number of pleats.
How do I calculate how much fabric I need for pleated curtains?
Carolina Custom Draperies notes that you should multiply the total width by 2.5 and record the result. This allows for the proper amount of fullness for the pleated drapes. For example, if the total width is 84 inches, multiply 84 by 2.5 to get 210 inches, the calculated fabric width.
How much fabric do I need for French pleats?
French pleats are three-fingered pinch pleats; each finger typically uses 2 inches of fabric, but the style of the window treatment, the type of fabric and the mood of the room dictates the fullness and amount of fabric required.How far apart should curtain pleats be?
4 inches is recommended for a leading edge. Then you have to divide the rest of the curtain into spaces and pleats.
How do you space pleats?
- width = 5 pleats. 1 1/2 widths = 7 pleats.
- widths = 10 pleats. 2 1/2 widths = 12 or 13 pleats.
- widths = 15 pleats.
How many pleats should a curtain have?
When working with the recommended 1.9 to 2.2 fullness ratio (STEP 2) we suggest using 6 pleats for every fabric width used to make the curtain panel. For example if you have used 2 widths of fabric to make your panel we would recommend 12 pleats, if you have used 1.5 widths we would recommend 9 pleats etc.
How do you measure for pinch pleated drapes?
Choose your draperies based on the rod width. For a rod that is 40 to 48 inches wide, choose drapes that are 48 to 50 inches wide. A rod that is 49 to 72 inches wide will require drapes 72 to 75 inches wide. A rod width of 73 to 96 inches wide should have drapes that are 96 to 100 inches.When measuring for curtains What do you measure?
Simply measure from the top of the pole to where you want the curtain to finish at the bottom. We will make the curtain with 3cm of fabric above the top underside of the eyelet where it sits on the pole. We add this automatically so simply measure from the top of your curtain pole.
How many pleats is one width of fabric?Standard spacing is 5 pleats per 54” fabric width, however can be adjusted to accommodate different fullness levels.
Article first time published onHow do you calculate pleat fabric?
- Measure your waist. …
- Divide your waist measurement by the desired number of pleat. …
- Since each pleat takes 3 times its width in fabric, multiple your waist measurement by 3: 25 x 3 = 75 (the fabric you need to make ten 2.5”-wide box pleats).
How do you calculate fabric for knife pleats?
So, to create a 1”pleat, you’ll need 3” of fabric. For example, if your waist measurement is 25” and you want to create a fully pleated skirt, with 1”-wide pleats, you’ll need to multiply the waist measurement by 3 and add seam allowances for each edge. 25 x 3 = 75 + 1 (2 x1/2” seam allowances) = 76.
How much fabric do I need for box pleat curtains?
As a starting place for the amount of fabric needed for the pleats, you can multiply the distance you want the curtain panel to cover by about 2 or 3, depending on how full you want the curtains. Or start with the maximum width of fabric you want to use, which is what I did.
How do you measure curtain width?
- Measure the width of your window.
- Add 12 inches to each side, 24 inches total.
- Take the total number (width plus the number you added to each side) and divide that number by how many drapery panels you want in the window.
How are ready made curtains measured?
Ready-made curtains are available in three standard widths: 112 cm (44 inches), 167 cm (66 inches) or 228 cm (90 inches). … The width measurement actually refers to the width of each curtain in the pair, as you need double the width of your track or pole in curtaining for the gathered effect.
How do you measure curtain drop from track?
For pencil pleats on a track, measure the drop by starting from the top of the track, and for pencil pleats on a curtain pole, measure from the eye of the curtain rings (where you’ll be hooking your curtains into). Measure from either of these points down to your chosen end point and that’s your drop measurement.
Do you double the width for curtains?
The actual amount of gather depends on heading styles and personal preference, but as a general rule the width of your curtains should amount to double the width of your track. This is referred to as ‘two times gather’.
How much wider should curtains be than the window?
How wide should curtains be? To ensure that curtain panels look ample when closed, they should have a combined width that is 2 to 2.5 times the width of the window/rod. That means if you are ordering Grommet style or Rod-pocket style, the total drapery width should be at least 2 times the window/rod widths.
When buying curtains are the measurements per curtain?
All our ready made curtains are sold as pairs, and the sizes stated refer to the size of each curtain. For example, in a pair of curtains 46″ wide x 54″ length, there will be two curtains, each measuring 46″ wide.
How do you calculate goblet pleats?
Pole LengthEase + Overlap per curtain280cm11cm300cm11.5cm320cm12cm
How do you measure for triple pleat curtains?
Pole LengthEase + Overlap per curtain280cm11cm300cm11.5cm320cm12cm
How do you measure pleat size?
Divide the window length by the number of pleats, then calculate how big you’d like the pleat to be. Add another few inches for the fold of the pleat. If you’d like there to be six pleats, measure how long you’d like each pleat to be.
What size hooks for pinch pleat curtains?
Hanging Curtains On A Rod Pencil pleat or pinch pleat curtains use hooks or rings to attach the curtain to the rod (32mm gather hooks are suitable for rod sets with rings).
How much fullness do you need for pinch pleat curtains?
Heading Styles and Curtain Fullness – A pinch pleat curtain requires more fabric to sew in the pleats as it gathers up tighter. As such you will require 2.5x the track width or 150% fullness.