While the standard shower curtain measures 72 square inches, shower curtain sizes may vary. Making a custom shower curtain to fit your bathroom is actually very simple. opening the shower, the length of fabric needed for this project will depend on other factors, including the desired length of the shower curtain and the amount of gathers desired.
Measure the shower area
Measure the width of the shower area from wall to wall. Multiply this measurement by 1.5 to find out how wide the shower curtain fabric should be. If your bathroom has a shower curtain rod curved rather than straight, measure the curved stem rather than the width of the shower opening. For a fuller gathering, multiply the width of the shower by 2.
Now measure the area between the shower curtain rod and where you want the shower curtain to end. Add 9 inches to this measurement and this will tell you the length of the shower curtain fabric. Those extra 9 inches are designed to allow top and bottom hemming.
For example, if the desired length of the shower curtain is 75 inches, add 9 inches to accommodate the top and bottom hems for a total of 84 inches. If the desired width of the shower, including gathers, is 75 inches , add 3 inches to allow for side hemming for a total width of 78 inches.
Mileage calculation
Use your measurements to determine how much fabric you will need. Fabric is available in a variety of widths ranging from 36 inches to 60 inches wide or more. To make a shower curtain, you will need to select a fabric of at least less than 40 inches wide.
Since no width of fabric is large enough to cover the entire area needed for a shower curtain, a longitudinal seam down the center of the shower curtain will be required. For example, to create a finished shower curtain measuring 75 inches at 75 inches you will need two panels of fabric measuring 84 inches in length and 40 inches in width, allowing a 1/2 inch for the center seam.
Once you have selected a fabric that is at least 40 inches wide, divide your length measurement by 36 to calculate the yardage. An 84 inch length will require 2 and 1/3 yards of fabric.
If the fabric you have selected has a large print, be sure to allow more fabric so you can match the print to the seam. An extra yard should suffice.
