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Thursday, October 16, 2025
A Simple Guide to Calculating Fabric Yardage:
When you’re planning to sew your own drapery panels, one of the first questions that comes up is: “How much fabric do I need?” Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or working with a custom drapery workroom, calculating your fabric yardage accurately will help you save time, avoid waste, and ensure your panels look polished and professional.
In this post, we’ll walk you through how to figure yardage for basic drapery panels — including allowances for hems, rod pockets, and fabric repeats.
✂️ Step 1: Determine Your Cut Length
Your cut length is the total length of fabric you’ll cut for each panel. It includes the finished panel length plus extra inches for hems and rod pockets (or header tape, if you’re using one).
Here’s the formula:
Cut Length = Finished Length + Hem Allowance + Rod Pocket Allowance
Note: Our workroom adds 16 inches to the finished length to allow for hems and rod pockets.
So, if your finished panel length is 84 inches, your cut length will be: 84" + 16" = 100"
🪶 Step 2: Account for the Number of Panels
Once you know your cut length, multiply it by the number of panels you’re making.
For example:
2 panels → 100" × 2 = 200" total fabric
3 panels → 100" × 3 = 300" total fabric
4 panels → 100" × 4 = 400" total fabric
Now, divide the total inches by 36 to convert to yards.
Example (No Fabric Repeat):
2 panels → 200" ÷ 36 = 5.625 yards (round up to 6 yards)
3 panels → 300" ÷ 36 = 8.33 yards (round up to 9 yards)
4 panels → 400" ÷ 36 = 11.125 yards (round up to 12 yards)
It’s always a good idea to round up and allow extra fabric for pattern alignment, trimming, or any miscuts.
🧵 Step 3: Add Fabric for Pattern Repeats
If your chosen fabric has a pattern repeat, you’ll need to add extra inches so the design aligns perfectly across all panels.
A repeat is the distance from one point in a pattern to the next time that same design appears vertically. Common repeats range from 12" to 27", depending on the fabric.
To calculate yardage with a repeat, the first panel will use the regular cut length. Then, for each additional panel, add the number of inches in the repeat.
Example: Fabric with a 27" Repeat
Finished length: 84"
Workroom allowance: 16"
Repeat: 27"
Calculations:
1st panel → 84" + 16" = 100"
2nd & additional panels → 84" + 16" + 27" = 127"
Now multiply:
2 panels → 100" + 127" = 227" total = 6.3 yards (round to 7 yards)
3 panels → 100" + (127" × 2) = 354" total = 9.83 yards (round to 10 yards)
4 panels → 100" + (127" × 3) = 481" total = 13.36 yards (round to 14 yards)
🪡 Step 4: Always Round Up for Safety
Fabric shrinkage, design matching, or cutting adjustments can easily consume extra inches. To stay safe, always round up to the next full yard. It’s better to have a little extra fabric than to fall short mid-project.
🪄 Quick Reference Chart
Panels Fabric Type Cut Length Each Total Inches Yards Needed (Safe)
2 No Repeat 100" 200" 6 yards
3 No Repeat 100" 300" 9 yards
4 No Repeat 100" 400" 12 yards
2 27" Repeat 100" + 127" 227" 7 yards
3 27" Repeat 100" + (127"×2) 354" 10 yards
4 27" Repeat 100" + (127"×3) 481" 14 yards
🏡 Final Tips from Beautiful Windows Elgin
If your fabric has both vertical and horizontal repeats, always plan for the vertical repeat first when determining yardage.
For extra fullness or pleated drapery styles, you may need 1.5x to 2.5x the window width per panel.
When in doubt, our team can help you calculate the exact yardage for your project — whether it’s a simple rod-pocket panel or custom pinch-pleated drapery.
✨ Bring Your Vision to Life
At Beautiful Windows Elgin, we help homeowners and designers create elegant, made-to-measure drapery that fits every space perfectly. Browse our curated collection of fabrics and start designing your custom panels today at beautifulwindowselgin.com
👉
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Beautiful Windows Elgin: Where Fabric Meets Storytelling
At Beautiful Windows Elgin, we believe fabric is more than material—it’s memory, mood, and meaning woven into every stitch. From our showroom in Columbia, South Carolina to sewing rooms across the globe, we’re honored to serve creators who turn textiles into timeless beauty.
Whether you're crafting custom curtains for a sunlit breakfast nook or selecting soft cotton for a bridal gown, our curated collections are designed to inspire. We specialize in:
Cotton home décor textiles for elegant window treatments and cozy cushions
Polyester twill and gabardine for tailored drapes and durable upholstery
Whimsical children’s prints that spark joy in nurseries and playrooms
Seasonal and holiday fabrics to celebrate every moment with style
11 Wale Corduroy in rich tones for fashion-forward outerwear and accessories
Each fabric is chosen with care—balancing texture, tone, and timelessness. Our commitment to quality means you’ll find materials that resist fading, fraying, and wrinkles, while offering comfort and sophistication.
🌍 Global Reach, Local Heart Though we started as a small business in Columbia, SC, our reach now spans nationwide and beyond. We proudly ship to the South Atlantic, East South Central, West South Central, and North Central States—and we’re expanding every day.
🧵 Made for Makers Our customers include interior designers, upholsterers, sewing shops, drapery workrooms, and passionate DIYers. Whether you're designing a formal living room or a fashion-forward jacket, we’re here to support your vision.
📣 Let’s Stay Connected Follow our journey, explore new arrivals, and join the conversation:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/beautiful_windows_elgin/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BeautifulWindowsElgin/
Let’s Talk Sewing Blog https://let-talk-sewing-beautifulwindowselgin.blogspot.com/
Thank you for choosing Beautiful Windows Elgin—where every yard of fabric tells a story.
Monday, September 8, 2025
The Power of Unplugging: Reclaiming Joy Through Movement, Mindfulness and Intentional Living
In a world that hums with notifications, algorithms, and endless scrolls, the simple act of unplugging has become a radical form of self-care. It’s not just about stepping away from screens—it’s about stepping back into yourself.
Whether you're a designer, a maker, or a dreamer, the digital noise can drown out your inner rhythm. But when you choose to disconnect, even briefly, you create space for something far more nourishing: movement, mindfulness, and the quiet joy of intentional living.
Mindfulness: The Art of Being Present
Unplugging invites you to slow down and notice the beauty in the moment. The texture of fabric between your fingers. The way morning light dances across your windows. The sound of your breath as it deepens.
Mindfulness isn’t reserved for meditation mats—it’s woven into everyday rituals. Folding linens. Sketching a new design. Sipping tea without distraction. These small acts become sacred when you’re fully present.
Studies show that digital detoxes reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and enhance overall well-being2. When you unplug, your nervous system gets a chance to reset. You stop reacting and start responding—with grace, clarity, and intention.
Movement: Reconnecting with the Body
Screens keep us still. But the body craves motion—gentle stretches, long walks, spontaneous dancing in the kitchen. Movement is medicine, and when you unplug, you remember how good it feels to move freely.
Physical activity boosts serotonin, improves sleep, and enhances creativity3. It’s not about rigid workouts—it’s about joyful motion. A walk through your neighborhood. Rearranging your showroom. Rolling out fabric with purpose and ease.
Movement reminds you that you’re alive—not just online.
Creativity: Space to Imagine
When the noise fades, inspiration flows. Unplugging clears mental clutter and makes room for new ideas. Whether you're curating textiles or crafting a campaign, creativity thrives in quiet.
Intentional living means choosing what you consume, how you spend your time, and what you create. It’s about aligning your outer world with your inner values. For small business owners like you, Marrion, it’s the heartbeat of your brand.
Unplugging isn’t an escape—it’s a return. To your senses. To your story. To the soulful spark that started it all.
Self-Care: A Lifestyle, Not a Luxury
Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and spa days—it’s boundaries, breath, and being kind to yourself. It’s choosing rest over hustle. Presence over performance. Connection over comparison.
By unplugging, you reclaim your time and energy. You become the curator of your own experience. And in doing so, you model a lifestyle of grace, intention, and authenticity—for your customers, your community, and yourself.
Final Thread
Unplugging is a quiet revolution. It’s a way to live with more heart, more movement, and more meaning. Whether you’re styling a room or stitching a story, the most beautiful creations come from a place of presence.
So pause. Breathe. Move. Create. And let your life—and your brand—reflect the elegance of intentional living.
Monday, May 6, 2024
Bay Window Pole Decoration using a Valance
Bay Window Pole Decoration using a Valance – Bay windows are often difficult to decorate and are usually a beautiful feature of homes.
Unfortunately everyone wants to cover them up with curtains.
So find out how to do it properly here.
BEAUTIFUL WINDOWS FABRIC & CURTAINS
Shop Curtains Fabric, Shades & Drapery
Online Fabric Store. We offer a large selection of designer fabric,
Custom make curtain panels, and shades.
Please visit us to make an appointment or
Call 803-865-2935
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Curtains – The “ins and outs”
Curtains – The “ins and outs” – How to Select the Height or Length of Curtains
There are only a few simple rules to follow for choosing curtain height or length
The length or height of the hung curtain should be to the floor or the windowsill.
Anything in between looks rather odd.
There is a trend today of puddling curtains, this is where they are made longer than the height required and “puddle” on the floor, this requires a skill in fabric selection, so that they sit well. It is used commonly in living rooms and bedrooms.
With puddled curtains on a hand drawn track, make sure that the width of the curtain is not excessive as they become heavy and difficult to draw back. They are also prone to picking up all the fluff from your floor, so a little bit more attention is required to keeping them looking smart.
Shop Curtains Fabric, Shades & Drapery
Online Fabric Store. We offer a large selection of designer fabric,
custom make curtain panels, and shades.
Please visit us to make an appointment or
Call 803-865-2935
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Before Measuring
Before measuring, consider whether you want an inside or outside mounted window treatment. If inside, you’ll need to make sure your window is square by measuring horizontally at the top, center and bottom, vertically along both sides and center, and diagonally. Also measure the frame depth and take into account any window hardware that might obstruct the window treatment.
Want to ensure a perfect fit? Get started with a local expert.
A helpful hint: Ask your local expert to measure all your windows, so the measurements are on hand for future projects.
BEAUTIFUL WINDOWS FABRIC & CURTAINS
Shop Curtains Fabric, Shades & Drapery
Online Fabric Store. We offer a large selection of designer fabric,
custom make curtain panels, and shades.
Please visit us to make an appointment or
Call 803-865-2935
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
The Top Of The Curtain
The top of the curtain (the heading), for all curtains can be at ceiling height, above or at the top of the window frame or flush with the window reveal.
It all depends on the space that you have. Do keep your choice constant in your home as it can look very odd if some curtan heads are fixed at different heights to others, especially when you can view through from room to room or worse, in the same room.
The finished length of ceiling to floor curtains should leave a 10mm gap, so that they don’t catch the floor and are easy to draw back, the gap for finishing at a windowsill only requires 5mm.
For safety reasons, never cover radiator heaters with curtains, look for another solution, either stop the curtains short of the heaters or use a blind as an alternative style of window treatment.
BEAUTIFUL WINDOWS FABRIC & CURTAINS
Shop Curtains Fabric, Shades & Drapery
Online Fabric Store. We offer a large selection of designer fabric,
custom make curtain panels, and shades.
Please visit us to make an appointment or
Call 803-865-2935
Friday, April 26, 2024
Curtains – The “ins and outs” – How to Select the Height or Length of Curtains
There are only a few simple rules to follow for choosing curtain height or length
The length or height of the hung curtain should be to the floor or the windowsill.
Anything in between looks rather odd.
There is a trend today of puddling curtains, this is where they are made longer than the height required and “puddle” on the floor, this requires a skill in fabric selection, so that they sit well. It is used commonly in living rooms and bedrooms.
With puddled curtains on a hand drawn track, make sure that the width of the curtain is not excessive as they become heavy and difficult to draw back. They are also prone to picking up all the fluff from your floor, so a little bit more attention is required to keeping them looking smart.
Shop Curtains Fabric, Shades & Drapery
Online Fabric Store. We offer a large selection of designer fabric,
custom make curtain panels, and shades.
Please visit us to make an appointment or
Call 803-865-2935
Friday, June 23, 2023
Patterned Curtains Are a Great Way to Add Personality And Color to a Room.
From classic designs to bold, modern looks, there are endless possibilities to choose from. With proper care, patterned curtains can last for years and become a beloved part of your home décor.
What Are Patterned Curtains?
Why Choose Patterned Curtains?
What Are Patterned Curtains?
Patterned curtains are window treatments made with fabric printed with a variety of designs.
These curtains can be used to add texture, color, and style to any room.
They can be hung on windows or used as a backdrop for other decor.
Patterned curtains can help to create a unique and stylish look in any room.They offer an easy and cost-effective way to update your decor.
Benefits of Patterned Curtains
Patterned curtains add visual interest and can help to create a focal point in any room.
They can be used to add color and pattern to a room without overwhelming it.
They provide a layer of insulation, keeping your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Different Types of Patterned Curtains
Floral patterned curtains are a classic choice and can add a romantic feel to any room.
Geometric patterned curtains are bold and modern and can be used to make a statement.
Striped patterned curtains are timeless and can be used to create a cozy feel in any room.
How to Style Patterned Curtains
Consider the color palette of the room and the other decor when choosing patterned curtains.
Hang curtains high to make the window look bigger and add to the feeling of height in the room.
Consider the size of the room when choosing the size of the pattern, larger rooms can handle larger patterns.
Conclusion
Patterned curtains are a great way to add texture, color, and style to any room.
There is a wide range of different patterns to choose from, so there is something to suit any style or taste.
With the right styling, patterned curtains can transform the look and feel of any room.
They can be used to make a room feel larger and more inviting.
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Bring Life to Your Space with Drapery Panels
Drapery panels can add beauty and style to any room. They are versatile and can be used in a variety of ways to make any room look more inviting. With a range of fabrics, patterns, and colors to choose from, they can be used to tie together a room's design.
Benefits of Drapery Panels
Adds privacy and insulation against light, sound, and temperature
Enhances the décor of a room with texture, color, and pattern
Can be opened and closed to adjust the amount of natural light
Types of Drapery Panels
Rod pocket panels
Tab top panels
Grommet top panels
Pleated panels
Choosing the Right Fabric
Consider the weight and texture of the fabric
Think about the color and pattern of the fabric
Look for fabrics that are flame retardant or blackout
Adding Accessories
Choose decorative rods and finials
Add tiebacks, trims, and tassels
Consider the use of decorative tie-on rings
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Sewing @Beautiful Windows Elgin: Beautiful Windows Elgin: Where Fabric Meets Storyt...
Sewing @Beautiful Windows Elgin: Beautiful Windows Elgin: Where Fabric Meets Storyt... : At Beautiful Windows Elgin, we believe fabric is m...
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The Power of Unplugging: Reclaiming Joy Through Movement, Mindfulness and Intentional Living In a world that hums with notifications, a...