The Trick to Nailing Curtain Length
You know the struggle – staring at your bare windows, dying to get some curtains up, but utterly paralyzed by the fear of getting the length all wrong. Will they puddle on the floor like a sad, fabric mess? Or will they end up looking like capri pants, leaving an awkward gap above the windowsill?
Well, my friend, I’ve got the formula that will guarantee you nail that perfect curtain length every single time. No more guesswork, no more measuring tape anxiety. Just plug in a few numbers, and voila – perfectly proportioned curtains, every time.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
The key to getting your curtain length just right is all in the measuring. Now, I know measuring sounds about as fun as watching paint dry, but trust me – it’s worth it to get this part right.
First, grab your trusty measuring tape and measure from the top of your curtain rod all the way down to the floor. This is your “distance from rod to floor” measurement. The folks at Curtain Shop recommend adding 105 inches to this number to account for the fabric above the grommets and the hem at the bottom. So if your rod-to-floor distance is 90 inches, you’ll want to get 195 inches of fabric.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – that’s a lot of fabric! But remember, you want those curtains to pool just a bit at the bottom for that luxurious, designer look. And trust me, it’s way better to have a little extra fabric than to come up short.
Grommet Placement 101
Alright, now that you’ve got your fabric all measured out, it’s time to start planning where those grommets are going to go. The Deuce Cities Hen House blog has a great tutorial on this, but the gist is that you’ll want to space your grommets evenly across the width of the fabric.
Measure the total width of your curtain panel, then divide that number by the number of grommets you want to use (usually around 8-10 for a standard size window). That will give you the distance you’ll want to space each grommet apart.
And here’s a pro tip – make sure you start your first grommet 2.5 inches down from the top of the curtain panel. That way, your grommets will be nicely centered in the 4-inch header at the top.
Sewing the Perfect Hem
Okay, now for the fun part – actually sewing up those curtain panels! When it comes to the hemming, the folks at My Homier Home recommend using a blind hem stitch. This gives your curtains a super polished, professional look by allowing the fabric to drape smoothly without any puckering.
Start by folding over the top and bottom edges of your fabric by 1/2 inch, then another 4 inches. Pin those hems in place, then bust out your sewing machine. Use the longest stitch setting and the zigzag option to create that blind hem look.
And don’t forget to press those hems really well before you start sewing – crisp, clean lines are key for a high-end look.
Putting it All Together
Alright, by now you’ve got your perfectly measured fabric, your grommets strategically placed, and your hems sewn to perfection. Time to put it all together and hang those babies up!
Carefully insert the grommets into the pre-cut holes, making sure they’re all nice and snug. Then, simply slip your curtain rod through the grommets and voila – instant designer curtains, custom-fit for your space.
Now, stand back and admire your handiwork. Those windows have never looked better! And the best part? You can use this formula to get the perfect curtain length every single time. No more guesswork, no more measuring tape anxiety – just perfectly proportioned curtains, every time.
Ready to transform your space with some custom window treatments? Head on over to Home Curtains Philadelphia to get started. Their expert designers will work with you to create the perfect curtains for your home, guaranteed to hit that sweet spot between the floor and the windowsill.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start measuring – your dream curtains are just a formula away!