Buying curtains

I'm trying to buy curtains for a big picture window, and I'm getting very confused.

The width of the area is 86". The length is about 60", but they can be a little bit longer than the window.

I'm reading that I need to double the width to get the correct measurement for the window because of the gathering. Is that correct? I would need a curtain that is 172" then? If that's the right, does anyone know where I would find such a large curtain? I'm having trouble finding ones bigger than 100".

TIA!

Re: Buying curtains

You can always get more than one panel to make up the diff, kwim?

Are you getting blinds or shades on the windows as well?

If the curtains are just for decoration, you don't need that size.

Re: Buying curtains

Unless you have the curtain custom made, just buy several panels to make up for teh width. You can get creative and use sheers in the middle and then regular opaque ones at the ends.. maybe add a nice sash at the top.

Re: Buying curtains

Are you ever going to close them, or do you just want them to frame the window?

I have a large window and I just got one panel for each side--they're not large enough to pull closed and cover the window but I don't think I'll ever want to.

Re: Buying curtains

ITA will all the previous comments. For a large picture window, I would recommend getting floor length panels (84" or 96") rather than shorter ones. IMO, they look nicer.


This is a really old picture from when we had ours installed. Our drapes on the side are not that wide since we don't move them - they are just to frame it out.

Message edited 1/31/2012 11:16:50 PM.

Re: Buying curtains