Custom Drapes come in so many styles and we will try to describe some of them here. One of the most important thing about Drapes is how to measure them properly. It's important for you to measure the following:

· A: Top of Window to floor

· B: Top of Window to ceiling

· C: Top of Window to rod height

· E: Window height, outside measure with sill

· F: Window width, outside measure

· G: Distance past window that treatment is being installed

· H: Window depth, inside measure

· I: Window width, inside measure

· J: Window length, outside measure

Measuring for Custom Drapes is not a complicated process, and if you measure per the above, you shouldn't have a problem with the Custom Drapes fit. However, keep in mind what sort of Custom Drape Rod you will be using. Rods include those with finials, balls or decorative end caps. The main rule when measuring with a decorative custom rod is to not include the measurement of the finial; ball or end cap or to overlap at the centre of your custom drapes rod.

Standard placement is calculated on the basis that the ends of the custom drape rod should normally extend past the window opening/casing by 3" on both sides for the width. This should allow you to firmly anchor your drape rod into the wood window framing beneath the sheetrock.

If you are having custom drapes made, it is by far best to let the designer do the measuring and provide you with a price quote, if they haven't already. In the quote they will specify how much material is needed for your as this can vary a great deal with a large repeat -- they know what they need and you want them to be responsible for this. (Also you don't want to reorder and risk getting fabric from two different lots for your Custom Drapes).

It's really nothing more than arriving at cut widths and lengths for your Custom Drapes, determining the number of repeats per run and adjusting the cut length to reflect the placement of the pattern. But you have to be precise and careful... mistakes can get costly pretty fast!

You begin by deciding what style of custom drape you want and whether or not you want to fully expose the glass in the window. Then you think carefully about what sort of rod you will be using for your custom drapes and mount it BEFORE any measuring occurs. Once the rod is in place you can easily determine the returns, the finished width and length of your custom drapes.

More considerations to expect when measuring is the different headings and hems have different fabric requirements. How deep do you want your Custom Drapes hem to be (3/4/5/6")? Will your panels be "puddled" and by how much? If you are doing a custom shade with festoons do you want a festoon to remain when the shade is fully lowered or do you want the shade to fall as a smooth panel when lowered all the way? Generally, for custom drapes with a lined pinch pleated drapery panels you allow 2 1/2 times the finished width for deep, full folds. With custom drapes and sheers you often go up to 3-4 times the finished width. So much of the numbers game depends on the look you want with your Custom Drapes.