Having a passion for needle and thread and sewing anything for yourself, your loved ones and your home is a great satisfaction, but it also requires a great deal of concentration. This is because, whether for clothing or for curtains to hang on windows or French doors, it is very important to take measurements correctly—an operation that is delicate and sometimes complex, and which requires particular precision.
There are in fact three different aspects that must be taken into account and should be known at the time of measurement. We are talking about the size of the windows, the track or rod, and the type of curtain you want. On‑frame, valances, with rings or with tabs: the various types of curtains differ in length. So it is not enough to measure the track or any rod; you must also take into account the characteristics of the curtains you want to make.
In general, the differences in length can be grouped as follows:
curtains with tabs: the tabs are approximately 10 cm long, so this length must be added to the total height of the fabric to be sewn;
curtains with rings: in this case, it is advisable to add about 3 cm to the total height and also to pay attention to the diameter of the rod, as the diameter is usually 2.8 cm and therefore rings with an internal diameter of less than 4 cm are not suitable;
valances: there are many valance curtain models and the dimensions vary; while straight ones are generally about 36 cm high, for others a maximum height of 46 cm is recommended.
As for window frames, you must first measure the width of the windows and any French doors with a tape measure and then purchase a curtain rod that is slightly longer. Likewise, the width of the curtains must also be greater than that of the rod, because they should fully cover the glass. It is therefore recommended to allow an extra 30 cm, 15 cm to the right and 15 cm to the left.
For the length of the curtains, things are a bit different, as it depends both on personal taste and on the type of window. For example, floor-length curtains are usually not recommended for windows with a radiator under the sill, because if kept closed while the radiator is on, the curtains will trap the heat… which is obviously counterproductive and a disadvantage!
Floor-length curtains are therefore ideal for large windows, French doors and windows without a radiator. In these cases, you can let them touch the floor and pool slightly, which softens the final effect but, it must be said, tends to make the curtains get dirty more easily. Or, after measuring the height from the rod to the floor and considering the type of curtain you want, you can decide to have them end 1.5 or 3 cm above the floor. As already mentioned, there is no strict rule; it depends on your preferences… and at home you can do as you like, right?
If you prefer a short curtain, at sill height, there are two options: either measure the height from the rod to 1.5 cm above the sill, or measure to 15 cm below the sill. In the latter case, the entire window is covered without overwhelming the wall, which can be useful in rooms such as the bathroom or kitchen, for example. The second-to-last option, with the curtain ending just before the sill, is better suited to rooms where there is a radiator under the window.
