What size rod pocket do you need?
Here are some basic guidelines for determining what size of a rod pocket you will need for various sized curtain rods. Having the correct sized rod pocket will make all the difference in how the drapery will look once it is shirred (gathered) onto the curtain rod or pole.
Having too large of a drapery pocket will make the curtain panel “swim” on the rod. By the same token too small of a pocket and you’ll be need to get hardware.
“Take up” refers to the distance the drapery will shorten (inch up) after it is shirred onto the hardware. This number is especially important when using thick round diameter poles.
• Rod Size 2” diameter round pole
• Pocket 4 – 4 ½”
• Take-up 2”
• Rod Size 1 3/8” – 1 ½” diameter round pole
• Pocket 2 ½ – 3”
• Take-up 1 3/8”
• Rod Size 3/4” diameter round pole
• Pocket 1 ½”
• Take-up 3/4”
• Rod Size 1/2” curtain rod
• Pocket 1”
• Take-up 7/16”-1/2”
• Rod Size 2 ½” wide flat continental rod
• Pocket 3 – 3 ½”
• Take-up 3/8”
• Rod Size 4 ½” wide flat continental rod
• Pocket 5 – 5 ½”
• Take-up 3/8”