Dressing Floor Length Types of Draperies

Back in the day draperies and rod Pocket Panels used to be installed with the drapery off the floor ½”. Times has changed and so has how drapery will dress on the floor when installed. First thing we ask when measuring or installing is “Off Floor”, “Dragging” or Puddling.

Let’s talk more about each of these below.

“Off Floor” – usually it’s about ½”. There are times designer will ask for 1/8″, which I usually grin! This can be extremely difficult as there are lots of factors to consider e.g. carpet, type of fabric, stretch of fabric, heat vents that cause carpet spots to rise & lower. The question I always ask myself are they really going to see 1/8″ when looking at the drapery. All we can do is try.

Ceiling to floor draperies are the hardest, unless you mark the hems after the drapery is hung,  this is known as 2-step process then return to shop and set the bottom hem, and re-install. Still there is no guarantee it’s going to stay 1/8″ as the indoor temperature will affect the fabric causing the length to adjust in either direction.

Dragging: Exactly what it says the drapery will drag the floor.  Once again very hard to accomplish with all factors; weight of drapery, content shrinkage/expansion, floor to ceiling etc.

Puddle: Shown drapery seats on floor approx 1″.

Puddle: Shown drapery seats on floor approx 2″

Puddle: Shown drapery seats on floor approx 3″

Puddle: Shown drapery seats on floor approx 10″

The above sizes range from 1″ – 25″ depending on the look. The long lengths of 10″ plus are installers favorite as they don’t have to be so precise. The deeper puddles don’t work to well on full working draperies as you close the drapery the bottom will drag on floor. You will have to dress the bottom to pull it closed.

Kirk Axelson
Precision Draperies, LLC