| Whenever you sew two pieces of patterned fabric | | | | you will have to think about that a bit but let me give |
| together for making clothing, using lace curtain fabric or | | | | you an example and at the same time, show you that |
| whatever it is necessary to match the pattern across | | | | you can save money this way. |
| the two or more pieces just the same as you would | | | | To accomplish this we will use a curtain for the |
| when wallpapering a room. This can be accomplished | | | | example but any other sewing project would use the |
| using an easy but wastefully expensive method or by | | | | same formula. Let us say that you are making a |
| actually using a formula to get exactly the amount you | | | | curtain that involves two or more widths of fabric to |
| need and not an inch more than is necessary. These | | | | be sewn together. Let us also assume that including an |
| days with fabric as expensive as it is the better way | | | | amount for the top rod pocket and the bottom hem |
| would be the more accurate formula method. It just | | | | you decide that you need each width to be a cut |
| takes basic arithmetic and a little more effort on your | | | | length of 100 inches. If, for instance, you have a 26 inch |
| part. | | | | pattern repeat we will plug that in to the formula and |
| Before we go into either method we have to know | | | | see what happens by using the easy way and the |
| the pattern repeat. The way to measure the pattern | | | | better way. Incidentally, here is a good source for |
| repeat would be to measure from one part of a | | | | sewing instructions for Curtains. |
| pattern to exactly where the same part of the pattern | | | | In the easy way we would just add the cut length of |
| repeats itself. We can then use that amount when | | | | 100 inches to the pattern repeat of 26 inches. Since |
| arriving at the total yardage needed for our project. | | | | we are using two widths it would be 126 times 2 |
| If you choose the easy way out you would first figure | | | | divided by 36 inches 126X2/36=7 yards. When using |
| what the exact length of each piece of fabric would | | | | the more accurate method we would divide 100 by 26. |
| be and then add a full pattern repeat to each length. | | | | The answer would be 3.85 which we would round up |
| When sewing the widths together you would line up | | | | to 4. You would then multiply 4 times the pattern |
| the pattern on each width and cut off the excess at | | | | repeat which equals 104 inches. 104 inches times 2 |
| the top of one piece and the bottom of the other. That | | | | widths equals 208 inches divided by 36 inches 104X2 |
| is all there is to it but you will be purchasing more fabric | | | | 36=6 yards. You still have to cut the extra from the |
| than you need just to end up throwing it away. | | | | end of the first piece and the other end of the second |
| By choosing the far more accurate and less wasteful | | | | piece but you will have to cut off far less. |
| way you could be saving a lot of money when fabric | | | | You can easily see the cost savings in this example. |
| costs are now so high. To do this you would first | | | | Say your fabric costs $19.95 per yard, which is not all |
| establish the pattern repeat as before. Now comes | | | | that much in today's prices, by buying 6 instead of 7 |
| the challenging part. You would have to divide the cut | | | | yards you save $19.95. If your project is even larger |
| length you actually need by the pattern repeat and | | | | you can see the advantages of taking your time and |
| round up the answer to the next full number and | | | | doing it right. Good luck with your next window curtain |
| multiplying that number by the pattern repeat. I know | | | | project. |