How Many Panels?

faAB ready-mades are designed to shirr simply on a decorative drapery rod. They work beautifully and accommodate most design applications.

Remember that ready-mades are not custom drapery so make the panels work to the best effect within your specific requirements. There are no hard and fast rules.

Here are some recommendations

A single faAB Pleat should not be shirred (pushed back) on the rod to less than 10" (25 cm) and ideally should not extend past 16" (40 cm). This will allow the beauty of the heading and the folds in the fabric to be appreciated.

In the case of the Grommet Panel, for best results, it should not to be shirred back to less than 8" (20 cm) but extends beautifully to 18" (46 cm) per panel. Please note, due to the metal grommets, when the panel is thread onto a drapery rod it cannot extend past about 36" (90 cm).

faAB Perfect Pleat II, the faAB Inverted Pleat and the Classic Pleat will not extend past a 27" (68 cm) width. For best effect we suggest that the drapery be hung on a drapery rod using the full 27" (68 cm) extension.

Measure your window and determine your needs

All faAB panels are made from designer quality fabrics and each panel is 27" (68 cm) to 52" (132 cm) wide. This generous width provides enough fullness for two panels to comfortably cover a window that is 48" (122 cm) wide. We suggest the fullness standard recommended by custom drapery applications—two times fullness across the rod when the draperies are drawn closed. For larger windows shirr additional panels on the rod to meet this standard.

The secret of faAB's exclusive, ready-made draperies is evident when multiple panels are hung on a rod. The split between the panels is easily and cleverly hidden in the folds of the drapery and the headings have been designed to accept the multiple panels with no noticeable effect across the top edge of the drapery.

Persia Silk

Shown: faAB Pleat in Persia Silk.

Designer Tip

  • Soften and accent a window by simply hanging drapery panels off to the side of a window that has been fitted with blinds or shutters.
  • Fully cover a window for privacy by using multiple panels. Hang an even number of panels on the drapery rod and position the split in the center of the window.
  • Hang decorative, ready-made panels off to the side of the window and hang sheers in the centre. This allows light to enter the room but will provide privacy or knock out an unattractive view.

How wide should it be?

  • If there is ample space on either side of the window frame, extend the drapery rod 8" (20 cm) to 12" (30 cm) past the window casing. This will allow the curtains to clear the window when drawn back and stop light from leaking in down the side of the drapery.
  • If space around the window is limited, simply position the drapery rod so there is an equal distance on either side of the frame then push the drapery panels back to reveal as much of the window as possible.
  • For extra fullness and a more customized look (or a large window), consider two panels on each side of the window. When pushed together on the rod they fold into each other and appear as a single unit. Otherwise consider double width panels, they are available as a custom option in our faAB HOME catalogue.