Figuring Pattern Repeats
If the fabric is cut to the exact length needed to make the window treatment, there will be enough fabric. But when the second piece of fabric is brought up to be sewn beside the first, the designs may not match. Each piece must be cut at the repeat of the design, so the design at the top of the fabric is the same on all pieces.

To determine at what measurement to cut all the pieces of fabric so the pattern is identical, follow this simple three-step formula and refer to the illustration above. Our example is based on a needed length of 96 inches.

1. Divide the desired length of each piece of fabric (96 inches) by the size of the repeat. For a pattern repeat of 27 inches, 96 inches divided by 27 inches equals 3.6. This means there are 3.6 repeats of the 27-inch pattern within the 96-inch length.

2. Round up to the next whole number (4), because you need whole repeats.

3. Multiply the size of the repeat (27 inches) by the number of the repeats (4). This determines where the fabric should be cut to have the same pattern at the top of each piece: 108 inches instead of 96 inches. In this example, the 12 inches beyond the 96-inch length is waste.

When buying, keep in mind that the fabric on the bolt may have been cut at a different location within a repeat than where you would like the pattern in your treatment to begin. To allow for this, add one additional pattern repeat to the overall yardage calculation in order to have enough extra fabric to shift the pattern accordingly. Although this wastes a small amount of fabric, it is worth the effort and expense to have the perfect treatment with the perfect match.