How Many Yards Fabric For Curtains

The amount of fabric you need for curtains will depend on a few factors, including the size of your window, the fullness you want your curtains to have, and the type of fabric you choose. Here's a general guide to help you estimate how much fabric you'll need:

Measure the width of your window. This is the distance from the left edge of the window frame to the right edge of the window frame. Multiply this number by 2 to get the width of the fabric you need for each curtain panel.

Measure the length of your curtains. This is the distance from the top of the curtain rod to the bottom of where you want your curtains to hang. Add 6 inches to this number to allow for the hem and header.

Multiply the width of the fabric by the length of the curtains. This will give you the total square footage of fabric you need for each curtain panel.

Add the square footage of fabric for all of the curtain panels together. This will give you the total square footage of fabric you need for the entire project.

Divide the total square footage of fabric by the square footage per yard of the fabric you choose. This will give you the number of yards of fabric you need to purchase.

Here is an example:

Window width: 48 inches
Curtain length: 84 inches
Fabric width: 54 inches
Square footage per yard of fabric: 36

Width of fabric needed per panel: 48 inches x 2 = 96 inches

Length of fabric needed per panel: 84 inches + 6 inches = 90 inches

Square footage of fabric needed per panel: 96 inches x 90 inches = 8,640 square inches

Total square footage of fabric needed: 8,640 square inches x 2 panels = 17,280 square inches

Yards of fabric needed: 17,280 square inches / 36 square inches per yard = 48 yards

So, for this example, you would need to purchase 48 yards of fabric to make curtains for a window that is 48 inches wide and 84 inches long.

Here are some additional tips for estimating how much fabric you need for curtains:

If you want your curtains to be very full, you will need to purchase more fabric. A good rule of thumb is to purchase 2-3 times the width of your window.
If you are using a heavy fabric, you will need to purchase more fabric than if you are using a lightweight fabric.
If you are not sure how much fabric you need, it is always better to err on the side of caution and purchase more fabric than you think you will need.