Curtain making by the drop

Step 1. Calculate how many drops you need. We use the following formula work out how many drops you need for you window:

((Track width x tape fullness) + 40cm) / Fabric width

Example for a 2 metre window for curtains at 2.0:1 fullness tape (recommend- ed) based on a fabric 140cm wide:

((200cm x 2.0) + 40cm = 440cm) / 140cm = 3.1428 drops

For aesthetic reasons drops are rounded up to the nearest half drop. Otherwise you can end up with a tiny bit joined on.

So if there will be 2 curtains:
Then 2 curtains at 2 drops each, total for the window 4 drops. If there will be 1 curtain:
Then 1 curtain at 3.5 drops.

Step 2. Calculate finished drop length:

If your curtains are going down to the floor - measure from under your track to the floor then deduct 1.5cm for the distance your curtain hangs under track and a further 1cm to 1.5cm for the distance you would like your curtain to be off the floor (we normally allow 3cm).

If your curtains are hanging just below the window/not right to the floor, measure where you would like them to stop and deduct 1.5cm.

Step 3: Calculate length to cut each drop of fabric from roll if there is no pattern repeat:

To the finished drop calculated in Step 2 add on 30cm, this is the amount to cut each drop.(Step2+30cm), (Skip step 4.)

Step 4: Calculate length to cut each drop if there is a pattern repeat:

((Finished drop from step2 + 30cm) / Pattern repeat) Roundup the answer to nearest whole number Multiply whole number by pattern repeat.

Example

Finished Drop = 213cm, Pattern Repeat = 23cm (213cm + 30cm) / 23cm = 10.5652174 round to 11 11 x 23cm = 253cm

Step 5: Check fabric for flaws and cut into drops: Unroll fabric and check for flaws.

Cut into pieces of the length calculated in step 3 or 4. Draw an x at the top on the back of each piece so the fabric is all kept the same way up.

Step 6: Sew/over lock all the drops together make sure the x is at the top of each drop.

Step 7: Make side and bottom hems, put weights in each corner. Iron fabric before starting if required.

Note: We normally use a double 10cm on bottom hem and a double 3cm on side hems.

Step 8: Iron hems and fabric:

Step 9: Final fabric cut front curtain: Add 5cm to the finished drop calculat- ed in the step 2 and then make the final fabric cut for the front curtain. The 5cm is to allow for folding the fabric over behind tape.

Step 10: Fold fabric over 5cm on front curtain and iron in crease and pin if needed.

Step 11: Sew the tape onto the back side of the folded over fabric, the visible pockets should be facing upwards and Easy Track writing the right way up.

Knot the strings on one end of the tape first.

The tape is sewn to the top edge of the fabric. On top of the folded back fabric 50mm flap:

Sew tape on 1st stitch as close to top as possible, then the 2nd as close to the bottom as possible:

Step 12: Pull strings to pleat fabric: Pleats are obtained by gathering the fabric together on the drawcords:

One side of the curtain is attached to a fixture, e.g. door handle. The curtain tape is held with two fingers next to the group pleat and slid along.

This process is repeated and previously made group pleats are continuously fed along the length of the tape until the curtain is completely pleated.

Make sure the space between the group pleats stays smooth.

Knot the drawcords tightly together behind the last pleat and bundle them or wind them around a cord-tidy.

Step 13: Attach the gliders to the curtain: The gliders are like a lockable safety pin. They are fed through the top pocket at each side of the group pleat and hold the pleat into place further.

Step 14: Hang curtains up on track: Steam or iron if required.