Curtain sizing is stupid

[BlondeSpiders]

Very excited to put up some blackout curtains in my bedroom. I have cellular shades, but my windows need replacing and it's very drafty on the end near my bed.

Took very careful measurements, 99" wide from the outside of the molding. Went down to BBB and found all the panels displayed by height. I found the 63" long panels, and bought two that were 50" wide. Should have been perfect, right? Nope, because they are grommeted. In order to close them in the middle, I've got a 5" gap on both ends.

Now I'm trying to decide if I want to buy a 3rd panel and either move the rod bracket from the middle and install another bracket, or perhaps cut the new panel in half and try to sew it in my nonskilled way. J wants to find new curtains altogether, but I'm having a difficult time finding the right width and length. And these ones matched my lampshades so perfectly!

[circa1978]

I personally prefer to double up on panels anyway for fullness. Sometimes that can be cost prohibitive but if it isn't that' what I would do!

[pierogigirl]

I also always double up on curtain panels. I would buy two additional panels, if they are in the budget.

[af1212]

Not sure if you have any length to spare but if so you could fold the top down and use clips on rings to attach your curtains. We do this on all of our ids curtains mostly because it makes them easier to slide.

www.pbteen.com/m/products/curtain-rings/?cm_cat=Google&sku=4234100®ion_id=669950&catalogId=21&cm_ite=4234100&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_664jOWr7wIVGYnICh0FwAocEAQYASABEgIWcfD_BwE&cm_ven=PLA&cm_pla=Windows%20%3e%20Window%20Hardware

[aprilsails]

To look “right” you usually want your curtains to be 1.5-2x the width of the window they are covering. That allows for the proper fullness and space for any gathering. In your situation I would either buy two more panels or find a wider set of panels. You are looking for something in the range of 2x 75” to 2x 100” panels.

[dontlook]

I did the same thing this week and was confused when it obviously wouldn’t be enough to close. I didn’t know about doubling up so thank you all for that info!

[mrspez07]

We have wide windows on every window in this house. I’ve cut one panel and sewed halves to the other two in each of my Boyd’s rooms of blackout curtains.
When we repainted DS2’s he needed new curtains. We temporarily put them up with the 3rd grommeted panel straddling the center rod support, he likes them that way so that’s how they stay for now. I need to iron them too, eventually.

[BlondeSpiders]

Thanks, everyone! I like that idea much better than relying on my subpar sewing skills.