I must confess that up until this year, I had never really embraced the idea of using pre-made drapery panels from a local retailer. My usual approach was to purchase fabric and painstakingly craft the panels from scratch.
However, I had a rather enlightening experience just last week – what one might call a regular drapery epiphany – right there, in the aisle of Target. It was so astonishing that if I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it.
You see, ready-made drapery panels have truly evolved and improved immensely over the years. They’ve progressed so much that, with a bit of smart shopping and a minor adjustment or two at home, some of these panels can actually give off a bespoke, custom-made appearance. It’s truly astounding.
Well, there is one caveat to this newfound admiration: the longest panels available are typically limited to a length of 84 inches. Now, if you’re like me and prefer hanging your drapery high (right up to the ceiling) and wide (extending beyond the window frame), all in the pursuit of making the window appear larger.
When It Comes to Drapery Lengths, Why Stop at 84 Inches?
Have you ever wondered why ready-made drapery panels seem to max out at 84 inches in length? It’s a common question, and the answer lies in the convenience and cost-effectiveness of retail offerings.
If you’re looking for drapery panels with lengths exceeding 84 inches, online catalog stores do offer such options, often reaching up to 108 inches in length. However, brace yourself for some significant sticker shock when you compare the prices to what you’d find in traditional retail stores.
For instance, if you were to purchase six panels for a bay window from one of these online catalog stores, you’d be looking at a price range of $600 to $1200, and that’s before factoring in additional costs like shipping, taxes, clips, rods, and installation. It’s quite a financial commitment, and you might wonder if it’s possible to stay under a $2,000 budget for the entire project.
The numbers alone can be intimidating. So, I decided to refocus my attention on the incredible ready-made panels available at Target. In the style I preferred, each unlined panel measures 54 inches in width and 84 inches in length, and it comes at a very reasonable cost of just $20, plus tax. When you break it down, that’s a little over $8.50 per yard, which is an excellent price point. Moreover, these panels come with the top and sides already finished, saving you extra work.
The only adjustment required is to manipulate the hem to extend the finished length to 108 inches. Once that’s done, and unless I’ve made some miscalculations, I’m all set to achieve my desired look.
So, don’t let the limitations in length deter you. With a bit of creativity and math, you can achieve stunning results without breaking the bank.
Get Ready to Shop: What to Do Before You Hit the Store
Before you head to the store, follow these essential steps:
- Gather your tools: Have a measuring tape, calculator, pencil, and paper handy, or simply utilize your phone to keep everything organized;
- Measure the area: Take precise measurements of both the window and the wall space you intend to cover. Don’t forget to capture the details with photos; all measurements play a crucial role in determining the necessary fabric length and width;
- Embark on savvy shopping: Now, it’s time to put your shopping skills to the test. This means embracing your inner Type-A personality and diving into label reading and meticulous number crunching, just like a seasoned drapery-designing pro.
Panel Perfection: How to Get the Right Fit
Tips for panel selection:
- Length: When it comes to panel length, it’s essential to consider the store’s longest available size, which is usually around 84 inches. However, if you have higher ceilings like my 9-foot ones and desire floor-to-ceiling panels, you might need to get creative by adding extra fabric to achieve the desired length. Remember the photo for inspiration; it can be done!;
- Top of the rod: The way a panel hangs on a rod significantly impacts how the fabric drapes along the wall. In my case, I wanted the panel to elegantly gather on a 2 or 3-inch rod without the use of grommets or a ruffle on top. This panel turned out to be the perfect choice. Although the label didn’t specify the exact pocket size, I took a leap of faith, and it appeared large enough. The result? It fits flawlessly when gathered on my homemade rod;
- Fabric widths: Traditionally, the standard practice for gathering fabric on a rod is to use 2 to 2 ½ widths of fabric to cover the desired area fully. In the photo below, you’ll notice two 54-inch wide panels gracefully framing a window and wall width totaling 39 inches. I covered the window trim but left the glass exposed, extending the fabric into the bay’s corner, as seen on the right side of the photo.
Calculating Fabric Requirements for Window Panels
Let’s break down the numbers. To ensure you have the right amount of fabric for your window panels, follow these calculations:
1. Width Calculation:
- I purchased one panel for each side of the window, measuring 54 inches each;
- 54 inches × 2 panels = 108 inches of fabric width;
- 108 inches ÷ 39 inches (total window and wall width) = Approximately 2.77 widths of fabric;
- A bit more than needed, but that’s great news! It will result in fuller and more luxurious drapes. Keep in mind; I managed to scrunch a 54-inch wide panel onto a 9-inch rod.
2. Fabric Weight and Lining:
Two factors influenced my decision on whether to line these panels:
- Firstly, will the backs ever be visible from the outside? In this situation, no. These panels will be stationary on the wall, so the wrong side of the fabric won’t be seen from outside;
- Secondly, is the fabric stiff enough to create an elegant drape down the wall by itself? In this case, yes. The medium-weight cotton/polyester blend, gathered at 2.7 times the window area’s width, provides more than enough fabric for a beautiful drape.
In my humble opinion, there’s no need to line these panels.
3. A Length Oversight: Before You Leave the Aisle:
Remember when I mentioned we’d revisit the length later? Each panel for one side of the window is 84 inches long, but I need a finished length of 108 inches from floor to ceiling. This means I need to purchase an extra panel, cut it for the additional fabric, and add that fabric to the other two panels. It may sound like a hassle, but rest assured, it can be a no-sew solution if you prefer.
Tips For Incorporating Fabric Into The Panels
1. Begin by using a seam ripper to carefully undo the hems on all three panels. This step is straightforward; simply grasp the thread and pull it free;
2. Next, eliminate any wrinkles from all three panels. Afterward, allow the panels to cool and, if necessary, dry them if they are damp from the steam. Note: Prior to pressing, test a small, inconspicuous area in a corner to ensure that the fabric can be pressed without causing any damage. If the test is successful, proceed to iron, but always work on the reverse side;
3. Trim away any unraveled threads. If the fabric continues to unravel, you can trim the edges using pinking shears or apply a product known as Fray-Not (but please conduct a preliminary test in an inconspicuous spot);
4. Lay out two of the panels and re-measure their length. Then, calculate how much fabric needs to be added to achieve a final length of 108 inches.
Here’s how I calculated it for my panels:
| Existing Length: 87 and 5/8 inches | 87” (main panel) + 5/8” (for the seam onto the added panel) |
| Difference: 21 inches | 108” – 87” (the 5/8” will be included in the seam, not the total length) |
| Amount to cut: 25 and ¼ inches of added fabric | 21” (added length) + 5/8” (for the seam onto the main panel) + 3” (to turn up the hem) + 5/8” (to fold over the top of the hem) |
| Total for a 108-inch panel: | 108 inches from top to bottom + 3 and 5/8 inches for the turned-up hem |
5. Cut the fabric that will be added to the main panel and sew the pieces together using a 5/8 inch seam. If sewing isn’t your forte, you can bond the two pieces together using iron-on fusible bonding tape. If you’re sewing, remember to press the seam open and make it as flat as possible. If you choose to use fusible bonding, please follow these steps carefully.
Afterward, the fabric is flipped over to conceal the seam. One concern with ironing on the tape this way is that the resulting seam may not lie completely flat. Additionally, you cannot re-iron bonding tape, as it may lose its adhesive properties.
Here’s another option to consider:
- Fold and press a 5/8-inch strip (or the width of the tape) into place. Then, place the “right” sides together and iron in the bonding tape, as shown in the diagram below. This method will work if ironing on the “right” side won’t harm the fabric;
- To safeguard the iron from any bonding tape residue and to protect the drapery fabric, I recommend placing a thin piece of scrap fabric between the two.
6. Now, proceed to the bottom of the fabric. Turn up a 5/8-inch section across the fabric, ironing it as you go. Then, fold the bottom of the fabric up again—this time, 3 inches—and press in the hem.
7. Before attaching the hem, add weights. Use items such as coins, galvanized washers, or anything flat, slightly heavy, and non-corrosive. You can place weights along the bottom of the hem wherever you prefer. I typically position weights on the right and left sides of the panel and add more in the middle of the hem if the fabric doesn’t hold the drape as desired.
8. Finally, attach the hem. Similar to adding the fabric piece, the hem can be hand-sewn, machine-sewn, or secured using iron-on fusible bonding tape.
Once the hem is completed, your drape is ready to be hung. Remember to adjust the fabric until the gathers are even and the folds drape down the wall as you prefer.
Conclusion
Getting a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry, it may sound like a hefty task, but it’s actually quite manageable. In fact, I was able to complete an entire panel in less than an hour. Now, fellow Drapery Divas, are you feeling prepared?
Let’s not forget that we’re all in this together. Feel free to ask any questions and share your thoughts in the comments section. I’m here to support you.