Measuring for Curtains

a division of Artifacteria
Bucks County · Pennsylvania
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How To Measure for Ready-Made Curtains


Fullness: Our curtains are designed to be 1.5 times the window width. This offers the best view of the lace. One curtain fits windows 30 to 45" wide. If more fullness is desired, use more than one.
Curtain Sizing: The curtain measurements are tip to tip. From the very top to the longest scallop on the bottom. The width is first, followed by the length. (W x L) These are flat measurements.
How many in each package? There is one curtain to a package, unless noted as "Pairs". The width for the Pairs includes both pieces. Each piece would measure 1/2 the stated width.
Mounting: When mounting outside the window frame, curtains can end anywhere. At the sill, the apron, in the middle of the wall between the window and floor, to the floor, or puddled on the floor.
Privacy: Lace curtains should not be used alone where privacy is a must. Fortunately, lace curtains can be installed over shades or blinds and look terrific.
Basic Components
One package will contain a left and right side. Insert/Valances or festoons may be added to the center for wide windows. Use alone, over panels or tiers.	The one piece swag and fan tie swag may be used alone or with panels and tiers.
A Festoon valance can be used alone or as an insert between the swag pairs.	The Valance goes at the top of the window. It can be used alone, as an insert between the swags, and over panels or tiers.
Tiers usually fit the bottom half of the window. The Valance/Tier designation indicates it is designed to be used as either a tier or a long valance.	The versatile panel. This piece can hang just about anywhere on the window.
Configurations (Limited only by your imagination).
A festoon Valance over 2 panels, tied back. A double curtain rod is needed.	The swag pair can be hung inside or outside the window frame. Ideally, it should come down about 3/4 as shown. Other lengths are fine as long as the window does not appear cut in half.
2 Swag Pairs over 2 tiers. This is a double window.	1 Swag Pair with Festoon inserted, over 2 panels. This is a double window.
One panel tied back. This works well where 2 windows are close to each other. This would be the right side window, the left side would tie back to the left.	The Valance can be hung alone.
RODS Recommended curtain rod diameter is 7/16, 9/16, or 13/16. Sash Rods, Cafe Rods, Spring Tension Rods, or Curtain Rods with a return will work. Cafe Rod Oval Spring Tension Rod Round Spring Tension Rod Standard Rod with Returns There are some decorator rods with these diameters.
Alterations Most ready-made curtains can be shortened by installing a new rod pocket and header. As the curtains are engineered with side scallops/designs and a center field, cutting the width is not always a good idea.