Fullness Ratio

What is fullness ratio?

Fullness Ratio determines how full/gathered a curtain is. It is traditionally the ratio of the pole width to the width of fabric used to make the curtain(s).

• A HIGHER fullness ratio gives fuller curtains (more gather/fabric held in the pleats)
• A LOWER fullness ratio leads to more delicate, skimpier curtains.

When do we use fullness ratio?

Primarily we use the fullness ratio when calculating curtain fabric quantities, but it can come into play and need to be considered if using our Advanced curtain making method “cutting panels down” or "pleating to pattern repeat".

What fullness ratio should you use?

The main determining factor of what fullness ratio to use is the pleat type or curtain style you are opting for. We recommend the following fullness ratios for the following pleats and styles.

• Heading
  Fullness
  Ratio
  Notes
• Pencil Pleat/Cottage Header
  2.5
  Ironically this header is where people think they can skimp but you just end up with a really skimpy looking curtain. Pencil pleat header, with the correct fullness ratio, can look really good. It is a must for cottage header to achieve that lovely full look in the frill above the tape.
• Double Pleat
  1.6- 2.4
  Dependent on curtain type more details >>
• Triple Pleat
  2.5
  more details >>
• Goblet Pleat
  2.5
  more details >>
• Cartridge Pleat
  2.0 - 2.2
  more details >>
• Inverted Pleat
  1.6 - 1.8
  more details >>
• Single/knife Pleat
  1.6 - 1.8
  more details >>