| Fullness target | Fabric width needed | Panels needed | Pair packs to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 times | 111 inches | 2 | 1 |
| 2 times | 148 inches | 3 | 2 |
Scroll the table to see every column.
Write down the window and the hanging space
Measure the window frame first, then look at the wall around it. Note a nearby corner, another window, a door that opens toward the curtains, and anything projecting from the wall. Choose where you want the fabric to end. A sill-length curtain and a floor-length curtain need different drops even on the same window. Record the units beside each number so you do not mix inches and centimeters when shopping.
Use the rod width for the fabric calculation
If you already have a rod or track, measure its working span, leaving decorative end caps out of the measurement. If you are choosing new hardware, mark its proposed ends and check the installation instructions before buying. IKEA's VIDGA guide distinguishes the window measurement from the extra rail width needed beside it. The room must have space for that extension and for the curtains to gather when open. Record the rod span separately from the window width.
Check whether the size is per panel
One panel is one piece of curtain fabric. A pair contains two. On IKEA's U.S. GINSTMOTT eyelet curtains, article 805.971.66, the listed width is 57 inches per curtain, and the package contains a pair. That gives 114 inches of fabric width before gathering. Read the size and package quantity together. A listing for one 57-inch panel and a listing for a 57-inch pair give you different amounts of fabric.
Work out how much gathering you want
Fullness means how much fabric width you have compared with the rod or track width. Fabric gathered into folds covers less horizontal distance than the same panel laid flat. IKEA suggests multiplying the rod width by 1.5 or 2 for this GINSTMOTT model, then dividing by one panel's width and rounding the panel count up. Use the chosen curtain maker's guidance, since the fabric and heading can change the result.
Try the calculation for a 74-inch rod
Suppose your rod span is 74 inches and the panels are the nominal 57 inches wide. A 1.5-times target needs 111 inches of fabric. Two panels supply 114 inches, or about 1.54 times the rod span. A 2-times target needs 148 inches. Dividing 148 by 57 gives about 2.60, so the calculation calls for three panels. Because this product comes in pairs, you would buy two packs to get at least three. Four panels supply 228 inches, making the result fuller than the 2-times target. Compare that option with a wider-panel curtain, especially if you want the same number on each side.
Measure the drop for the heading you will use
The heading is the top of the curtain that attaches to the hardware. GINSTMOTT article 205.850.72 has heading tape and can hang from a rod pocket, tabs, or hooks and gliders. Those choices do not put the fabric in the same position as eyelets over a rod. John Lewis's measuring guide also uses different reference points for different headings. Follow the selected product's diagram to relate the hanging point to its listed length. Measure down to your chosen endpoint, checking both sides if the floor or sill is uneven.
Check the space around the fabric
Decide whether the curtains can open and close without catching a window handle, sill, door, or furniture. Crate & Barrel's guide notes that windows above counters or near floor heaters may need a different treatment. If a heater affects your plan, check its own instructions for fabric clearance before choosing the drop. A photo of the window and your measurements can help the retailer answer a fit question about its hardware.
Plan for care before hemming
Read the care label before shortening a panel. IKEA lists a maximum shrinkage of 4% for GINSTMOTT article 805.971.66 and advises washing before cutting or hemming. That figure does not predict the exact change in your own panel. Follow its care instructions, then recheck the fabric before making a permanent hem. Your final shopping note should name the heading, panel width and length, required panel count, panels per pack, and any extra hooks or rings.
Sources
- IKEA U.S. GINSTMOTT eyelet curtains 805.971.66, panel dimensions, quantity and care
- IKEA U.S. GINSTMOTT heading-tape curtains 205.850.72, hanging options
- IKEA U.S. VIDGA planning guide, window and rail measurements
- John Lewis curtain measuring guide, heading reference points
- Crate & Barrel curtain guide, length and room obstructions