FULLNESS: How much to gather your fabric

How much fabric should you allow for gathering a bed skirt (dust ruffle), valance, or drapery? What do the different amounts of fullness look like? What is standard fullness, and what is custom fullness? This short video will show you the difference between 1.5X (1 1/2 times), 2X (2 times or double), 2.5X (2 1/2 times), and 3X (3 times) fullness, and help you know how much to allow for your project.

[@dinri90]

This was really helpful. Using it as a guide for sewing window kitchen curtains. Thanks so much!

[@vegababes123]

Thank u once again sunshine !

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

This is perfect timing: I am making new sheers for my large windows, and the search for aesthetically pleasing was a long one. The embroidered sheers work out to about one and three quarters full across the rods. On our old craftsman's windows curtains seem to look nicer if less full, and the sheers appear to look nicer if more full. 😉

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

So glad it was helpful!

[@juliea9661]

Great info- thanks!

[@adarnoult]

So helpful. Thank you!

[@panderichthys_rhombolepis]

Thank you for posting things. Just one request: Could you provide a comprehensive definition of 'fullness'. I have a sense of what you are referring to, but it would still be nice to have a technical definition. Many thanks in advance.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Fullness just refers to the amount of fabric that is in a window treatment or bedskirt beyond the actual distance the fabric covers. For example if a curtain that covers a 30" curtain rod is completely flat, that curtain would be 30" wide and has zero fullness. If you gather a curtain on that same rod where the fabric is 45" wide, that curtain has 1.5 X fullness because that curtain is 1.5x wider than the rod. If you gather a curtain that is 60" wide onto that same 30" rod, that curtain would have double, or 2X fullness. I hope that helps!

[@melissabeckham6917]

Thank you so much for this great explanation. I'm making little rosettes / cockades as part of decorations to hang on a Christmas tree, and since the scale is so small, I'm inclined to twitch the fullness ratio down a little. Does that make sense to you?

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

I'm not sure the scale should determine the fullness. I'd say on really small items the thickness of the fabric might be more of an issue.

[@melissabeckham6917]

@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare, thank you so much for taking the time to answer and so quickly! I did a test ornament last night and am going to dial back the ratio a bit. Also because I'm attaching the ruffles around a circle and that makes a lof of fabric scrunched up even more than along a straight line. Best to you!

[@katieannmurray]

Thank you for your video! Again very helpful! I’ve decided to go for 3times gathering. Does it matter if the gathering/fullness for the voil/ net curtain is then 1.5/2 fullness. Also I like a more consistent look throughout my house… Does it make a big difference if my master room and living room is 3 times gathering. Then the kids room 2 gathering? I am wondering is 3 times gathering would be unnecessary for a kids room? Thank you so much in advance!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Hi Katie, consistency isn't as important in different/individual rooms as it is in open/shared rooms. For example, if you have a living room and dining room that are open to each other and you are treating them with the same style of window treatments, it's good to keep it consistent. But in separate rooms in different parts of your home you can do whatever you like! The video just helps you see the differences so you can make your own decision :)

[@katieannmurray]

@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare Oh I see! Thank you for answering my questions, so it’s really down to personal style. I’m going for a modern but french chic look… for the living room. I think I am clear what I want now. Thank you so much for your videos!