Calculating Fabric Yardage Requirement

(When not “Railroading” fabric or when fabric has a repeat pattern)

Take the inside width of the cornice (your window width)  plus 27” divided by the width of the fabric times the width of the strip to be used for that rail divided by 36” (1 yard). If there is a pattern repeat, use the repeat as the width of the fabric strip. We encourage railroading (using one long continuous strip) of fabric when you are doing multiple rails of the same fabric. This eliminates dealing with seams.

Example:

Inside measurement of the cornice is 140”. You are using 54” wide home decorating fabric that you do not want to railroad, but has no pattern repeat.

140” + 27” = 167” divided by 54” (width of fabric)= 3.09 x width of strip which is 12” = 37.08 = 1.03 yards. You would buy 1 ¼ yards of fabric for that rail.

Now use the same example with a 23” pattern repeat:

140” + 27” = 167” divided by 54” = 3.09 x 23” (pattern repeat instead of strip width)= 71.07 divided by 36” = 1.97 yards. You would by 2 yards of fabric.

Remember to add yardage for trims and accessories to be added and always consider if you are inserting your fabric flat, pleated or shirred (gathered). Follow kit instructions for each of these situations.

For trims take the inside measurement of the cornice and add 27”. You will need that amount for each tuck groove on which you are using trim.