Home

[Qwackertoo]

Not sure what size . . . window is like 72" wide by 72" long . . . so I ordered a pair of 75" wide x 84" long . . . now I'm not sure. With the stackback and overlapping and etc. Each panel is 75" wide . . . so 150" total.

I hate to open them and then just have to return them. Right now I have 4 panels of "pocket" top Croscill panels, 50" wide each so 200" total so very full . . .

Anyone know what would be a good fit for pinched pleat on that size window.

Thanks!

[bluejeansluvr]

Some things to consider:

1. Do you want your drapes to "puddle"?

2. Do you want to actually close your drapes or do you just want them for looks and plan to leave them open?

If your window is 72" long, the standard (according to Pottery Barn) as to how a rod should be hung is 4" from the top of your window. So if your window is 72" long, then add 4" to that (cause that is where the rod will be you hang them on) and then the amount you want them to puddle at the bottom. I like puddling, I usually allow approx. 4 inches for that. So then if you do that, you are looking at needing an 80" drape. I think your 84" ones will be too long. (Unless you do not want puddling, then you would need a 76" in. drape, that will hang from about the rod to the floor with no puddling). You could have them hemmed however if you want the longer length with just a bit of puddling.

Width. Most drape panels are 50" wide. That means if you get 2, you have 100" when they are closed. Which is plenty if your windows are 72" wide. So I think that the panels you ordered are going to be too much fabric. You don't need 75" in a panel, for a window that is 72" wide.

I would always just go with a standard 50 inch panel (x2) for a standard 72" window.

[bluejeansluvr]

I'll just also add that DH and I just hung new drapes. My window is 76" wide (I think, trying to remember) and 120" long. I bought drape panels that are 50" wide and 124" long. Because the window is so long, I had to do without the puddling, because I couldn't buy the drapes I wanted, longer than the 124". So, they are about 5" above the window frame and they reach the floor ( had him hang the rod about an inch higher). I used drapery pins (they are pinch pleat) and small rings hanging from the rod. There was about an inch of room between where they hung from the rings. I think you have to decide what types of hooks and rings or clips you will hang your drapes from also, that's important. That drops your drape panels down about an inch depending on what you use.

I'm sorry if I have totally confused you! I hope you can understand what I'm saying.

[stevieb]

I always have more width than the actual measurements because I have no interest in window coverings that appear to be stretched too thin. I prefer to have them look full. You might have a tad too much length, but as has been noted, if so, raising the height of the rod (a pain, I know) if possible would work.

[Qwackertoo]

Thanks for the replies! I think I will be ok with the 84"" as that is what on there now for length with our ceilings and the window length. I'm more worried about the 75"" width of each panel. I don't want skimpy but I don't want crowded/too full either. They will be closed most of the time . . . I'd like to find a valance in the same fabric but out of stock right now and then have them slightly drawn and with some beautiful corded tie backs I have. Or do you not do tie backs with pinch pleated?

Also undecided whether to go with a traditional traverse rod with the ""hooks"" for pinch pleated or go with a decorative rod with the rings and then place the hooks into/onto the rings.

This is for a more formal master bedroom as to the wood of the furniture and the other items in the room.

[jlkz]

Having worked in a linen shop one college semester, I had to add 12inches to the width measurement of the window frame: 3" for each side to meet the wall and 6" to allow for a 3" cover over where the front panels overlap. Any less and you'll have a skimpy look when the panels are closed. HTH

[bluejeansluvr]

I used this picture I found on the web as my inspiration for my window treatment look in my dining room. I have a challenge with some very large windows in my home, and I did not want to spend thousands of dollars on a custom window treatment for my very large window. I know that the drapes in this picture are grommet top, but I still tried to copy the look (mine are pinch pleat). These panels are small, I believe the writer mentioned they are 50 inches wide, and they are not meant to open and close, they are just for a fabric treatment look. This is what I am doing with my drapes, I don't plan to open and close them because I have blinds, I just wanted a pretty fabric treatment. This color of drapes, in the picture, is very similar to what I have. Mine may be a bit more beige, these are more of a taupe color. I don't have smaller windows above like in this picture, and my rods are not hung as high, my rods are hung closer to the top of the window. I love the look.

[ceekay]

I keep looking at the ones in our living room and wishing I had a different kind of rod. We have a double layer with pinch pleat sheers and then pinch pleat drapes. The plain traverse rod just looks so plain! And rather dated. And ugly. It was a pain in the the butt to install the double rod (made my own from 2 different traverse rods) and we are so close to being ready to sell the house I just don't want to mess with it. So, my suggestion would be a decorative rod of some kind. I think I have about 100 inches on our 75 inch window.

[drizzellla]

Where did you get 150"" total width? My window is 144"" and I have had to get custom drapes. I have had a hard finding any extra wide pinch pleated drapes.

[Qwackertoo]

On 4/11/2014 drizzellla said:

Where did you get 150" total width? My window is 144" and I have had to get custom drapes. I have had a hard finding any extra wide pinch pleated drapes.

Kohl's in their Antique Satin lined. They have widths of panels from 50" to 75" to 84" and I think 100" panels all in 84" length . . . but various colors seems to go in and out of stock. I bought the navy. With the bedding, solid will work best for me this time around. Old ones were combo of outside panels floral to match comforter and inside solid panels to match a couple of the toss pillows and then combo floral/solid scarf across all four panels.

With their sale prices and 30% off code I ordered some 50" x 84" last week and will probably return the 75" x 84" as "they say" the fullness is built into pinch pleats. I haven't opened the 75" x 84" but they are quite heavy in the package . . . and the reviews were pretty positive so I have high hopes they will work. In years gone by, we have a drapery and upholstery fabric outlet nearby and I can't count the times I've bought and made my own but my days of cutting and sewing and ironing seams of those HUGE GIANT pieces of fabric are over . . . I've done just about every window in this house myself at least once and many of them twice over the years.

Now to find decent rods. I may try JCP. Bought some great rods with beautiful crystal finials on both the rods and the holdbacks . . . NOT plastic, real glass . . . at a fantastic price for re-doing my daughters bedroom even though she only comes home from college a few times per semester . . . and they look GREAT with her furniture which the top drawers of each case wood piece has glass crystal knobs . . . turned out wonderful & I was happy with the quality and the prices so may try them for master bedroom new drape hardware.