When trying to figure out the correct size for your window treatments, it can get tricky.  This is why we have measuring guidelines and detailed information throughout our site.  Custom made drapes are the most popular product we offer.  We are well aware that correctly measuring can be a challenge. The reason you are doing custom drapes is to get a perfect fit and functionality.  So we have a few tips below to help clear any confusion.

The main thing to ask yourself is “do I want decorative side panels or do I want to be able to close them to cover my windows completely for privacy?”.  Once you have answered that question, it is much easier to focus on how to correctly measure for your custom drapes.   Here are some examples:

Decorative Drapery Panels (not for use in privacy or light control)

Example 1

The window is 45” wide from casing-to-casing and 80” long from the top of the casing to the floor.  The drape use is decorative.  

The general rule is to use one width of fabric for windows up to 70″.  One width of fabric is 54″ off the bolt.  When one bolt width is made into a finished drape with side hems and pleats, the finished with is approximately 23″ inches.  In this case, you would order 46″ finished width for your pair or 1 width for each panel.   Full Custom you will order by the inch to give you exactly what you want.  In Semi and Classic Custom, you order by the width. 

Generally we recommend that you mount the rod a minimum of 4″ above your casing.  So your finished order width and length is 48″ Wide X 84″ Long.  In a width department, you would order 1 Width X 84″ Long.

Example 2

The window is 88” wide from casing-to-casing and 85” long from the top of the casing to the floor.  The drape use is decorative.  

The general rule is to use one and a half widths of fabric.  One width of fabric is 54″ off the bolt.  When 1.5 bolt widths are made into a finished drape with side hems and pleats, the finished with is approximately 34″ inches.  In this case, you would order 68″ finished width for your pair or 1.5 widths for each panel.   Full Custom you will order by the inch to give you exactly what you want.  In Semi and Classic Custom, you order by the width. 

Generally we recommend that you mount the rod a minimum of 4″ above your casing.  So your finished order width and length is 68″ Wide X 89″ Long.  In a width department, you would order 1.5 Width X 89″ Long.

Privacy and Light Control Drapery Panels

You have a window that is 80” wide from casing to casing x 75” from the top of the casing to the floor.  You would like fabric drapes that will close and cover your entire window for privacy and light control.   For privacy panels, you have to give the exact measurement of your rod from bracket-to-bracket – not your window size.    You decide how far past the window you will mount your rod brackets.  If you have a lot of wall space, you can go out approx 15” on each side.  This is your rod size bracket-to-bracket.  The total width would be 80 + 15 +15 = 110”.  You would like to mount them 4” above the casing.   The final measurement is 110” x 79” long.  This is what you would order.

You can order drapes from our Semi and Classic Custom departments in widths and still accomplish privacy and light control.  You just have to make sure you order enough widths to cover your window.

Mounting your brackets out from the window is important if you want your drape to clear the glass when the drape is opened.  We have a chart on the site that will give you the amount you should go out on each side for a pair or on one side if you are ordering a single panel.  If you wall space is limited, go out as far as you can to give you the best glass clearing result.