Curtain yardage and fullness decision for a 10-window hotel order
An interior studio in Mysuru has accepted an order for curtains for 10 identical hotel windows. Each window needs a pair of curtains with a finished total width of 50 in and a finished drop of 90 in. The specified fullness ratio is 2.0 times the finished width. The selected drapery fabric is 60 in wide with 58 in usable width after removing the selvedge; it has a 12 in vertical pattern repeat and 4% residual shrinkage unless pre-shrunk. The studio plans a 4 in doubled bottom hem, a 4 in header, 1 in top and bottom turns, and 1 in seam allowances at each vertical edge; each panel should be one fabric width where possible. Cutting wastage is estimated at 5%. The client now asks for a 2.5 fullness ratio and matching lining. The studio holds 70 m of the fabric and must decide whether to order more, pre-shrink, or change the specification.
1. Calculate the fabric required at 2.0 fullness, including shrinkage, pattern repeat and wastage. State whether the 70 m in stock is sufficient.
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Cut length = finished drop 90 in + bottom hem 4 in + header 4 in + top turn 1 in + bottom turn 1 in = 100 in. Add one full pattern repeat of 12 in for matching → 112 in. Add 4% shrinkage → 112 × 1.04 = 116.5 in, round to 117 in per cut.
At 2.0 fullness, each finished panel is 25 in wide; flat panel width = 25 × 2.0 = 50 in. Add 1 in seam allowance at each vertical edge → 52 in, which fits within the 58 in usable width. So one fabric width per panel, two widths per window. Fabric per window = 2 × 117 in = 234 in = 6.50 yd. For 10 windows = 65.0 yd. Add 5% cutting wastage → 65 × 1.05 = 68.25 yd. Convert: 68.25 × 0.9144 = 62.4 m. The stock of 70 m is sufficient, with about 7.6 m spare, provided the fabric is from the same dye lot and the pattern is cut in one direction. If the fabric is pre-shrunk, the cut length falls to 112 in and the requirement drops to about 59.8 m, so pre-shrinking is worth asking about.
2. Recalculate for 2.5 fullness and recommend how the studio should meet the client's request without risking a different dye lot.
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At 2.5 fullness, each finished panel is 25 in; flat panel = 25 × 2.5 = 62.5 in; add 2 in seam allowance = 64.5 in. This exceeds the 58 in usable width, so each panel needs two widths and each window needs four widths. Fabric per window = 4 × 117 = 468 in = 13.0 yd. For 10 windows = 130 yd; add 5% → 136.5 yd = 124.8 m. The stock of 70 m is short by about 55 m, so the studio cannot simply cut the larger fullness from stock.
Three options should be compared. (i) Order about 55–60 m more, but a different dye lot risks a visible shade difference in a hotel room. (ii) Use a 118 in-wide fabric so one width per panel at 2.5 fullness is possible; this reduces seam bulk and avoids the dye-lot problem if the same lot can be sourced. (iii) Negotiate a 2.2 fullness: flat panel = 25 × 2.2 = 55 in; plus 2 in = 57 in, which fits the 58 in usable width, so consumption stays at the 2.0 level. A 2.2 fullness still gives a full gather and is the lowest-risk compromise. The studio should present options (ii) and (iii) with a mock-up sample before cutting.
3. Explain how you would handle pattern matching, seam allowances and lining in this order.
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For pattern matching, cut each panel from the same point in the repeat and allow a full repeat, not a half repeat, because a 12 in vertical repeat can shift by up to 12 in at the hem. Match the pattern at the leading edges of the pair and at the seam where two widths join; the join should be placed toward the window edge, not at the centre. Cut all panels in the same direction so the nap and print do not appear to change shade.
Seam allowances: 1 in at each vertical edge, 4 in doubled bottom hem, 4 in header. If two widths are joined, add a 0.5 in seam and press it open. For lining, cut the lining 2 in shorter than the finished drop and 1 in narrower per panel so the face fabric hangs freely. At 2.0 fullness, lining needs two widths per window: cut length 90 + 6 in hem allowances = 96 in; 10 × 2 × 96 = 1,920 in = 53.3 yd = 48.8 m, plus 5% = 51.2 m. At 2.5 fullness, lining doubles to about 102 m. The lining should be attached at the header and side seams only, with a loose bottom hem, so the face fabric can shrink without pulling.