The fullness of draperies affects how they look and function.
Flat: Draperies may be made flat fabrics that are placed over the window without any fullness at all. This is rare, and we would consider it a hybrid of drapery and shade.
Draperies with Fullness: We talk about wide the area is to cover and how much fabric plus extra (to make fullness) is takes to cover it. In custom draperies, we usually work with fulness amounts from 1.8 to 3 times full. For example: Draperies can be 2 times full (written as 2x full ). These means that twice as much fabric will be used as the rod is wide. For example, a 40" rod requires 80" of fabric across those 40". For the fullness to be truly accurate, the amount of fabric that goes into hems, leading edges, and returns must be deducted from the starting fabric before calculating the fullness of what will be left. For our example window, covering a 40" rod 2x full requires 60" of fabric, plus the extra in the center, plus extra to return to the wall, plus side hems. If these amounts are not added, the fullness across the window will be less. This may not be noticeable on a rod face of 100", but it certainly would be on a rod 40" wide.
How much fullness is needed: To arrive at the fullness desired, we start with the look we want to achieve. If you know you want a traditional 3 prong pleat, the skimpiest amount that can possibly make these pleats is 2x full, AND overlaps, returns, and hems must be added to the amount required to create 2x full. Acceptable industry standard for traditional pinch pleated draperies is 2.25x full. Hotels and commercial settings typically use this fullness. Designers usually plan draperies that are 2.5x full. After 2.5 x full, the thickness of the fabric must be considered as very thick fabrics may have too much bulk to crunch back to the rod width. Sheer fabrics are often planned at 2.8x full. Country curtains are 3x full or more. Read about other types of pleats and top styles below.
Fullness in stationary panels: Fullness is achieved two ways: how full the panel is pleated and how that panel is placed on the rod. If the panel is placed so that the spaces between pleats are flat, the fullness in the finished treatment will be the same as the panel fullness. If the space between the pleats is bent or wavy, the fullness is more than the panel fullness. Our custom panels available online are 2.5 x full PLUS the leading edges and returns. It is important to note that standard fullness panels can't be compressed much to achieve a fuller look. They are already somewhat narrow.
Fullness in how a drapery looks when installed. Fullness is seen in how deep the folds are from front to back. If the spaces between pleats are compressed by folding, bending, crunching, or waving, the fullness of the installed drapery is more than the panel fullness. We prefer deluxe fullness stationary draperies installed approximately 17" wide rather than standard fullness drapery panels that stretch the spaces between pleats flat. Deluxe fullness compressed as described will appear like functioning draperies pulled back. They will tend to fall straighter toward the floor.
Fullness of other top types:
Two prong (two finger) pleats: Less fabric is involved in the pleat. The primary reason to use this approach is to stretch out the fullness of a drapery while still having a normal distance between pleats. This is an advantage when you want a more modern look, to show off the pattern of the fabric, to use more rings, or to have a drapery that is wider than the rod and therefore able to fold between pleats. Folding (compressing) between pleats, however, will counteract the possibility of showing more fabric pattern.
Inverted pleats follow the descriptions for fullness above. They are simply tacked at the top rather than the base of the pleat. Some fabrics are too thick or soft to look ideal in inverted pleats. Contact us for recommendations. Inverted pleats are commonly used with decorative poles and rings to make the drapery flow to a point at the ring. Some are satisfied that inverted pleats held by rings looks similar to a pleat being hand tacked to the ring itself.
Tab top and small inverted pleats: These types of tops have little or no fullness created by the top itself. Fullness comes by placing the finished panel on the rod. Panels that are made 48" wide, installed at 24" wide are 2x full. The top controls how the fabric flows down, not how full the finished drapery appears.
Box pleats require 2.5x fullness at the very least. Tuxedo pleats and many other decorative pleats are versions of box pleats. Box pleated draperies usually flare at the bottom, because the top is strictly constrained and the bottom is unrestrained. We recommend using thin, crisp fabrics that hold creases for box pleated draperies.
Ripplefold or S curve drapery fullness is created by a snap tape sewn at the top fastening into a rod especially made for that purpose. Fullness is dictated by the tape and is available 1.8x full and greater. The look is most modern, compatible with professional tracks, and provides very consistent folds. Fabric should not be stretchy or puffy. Ripplefold draperies provide the opportunity for traversing at the lowest fullness possible. Fullness on the low side is ideal for economy and showing off pattern repeats or light through the drapery. Fullness on the high side creates deep folds that seem dramatic, particularly when solid fabric is used to show off light and shadow crated by the folds.