Lined vs Unlined Curtains: How Lining Affects Fabric Needs

Does Lining Change the Amount of Face Fabric You Need?

No. The face fabric calculation is identical whether the curtain is lined or not. Fullness ratio, cut width, cut length, widths per panel — all the same.

Lining adds a second, separate fabric requirement on top of the face fabric.

How to Calculate Lining Fabric

Lining fabric = same number of widths as face fabric × (drop + 2")

The lining is cut:

• Same width as the face fabric widths (same number of widths per panel)
• Slightly shorter than face fabric: typically drop + 2” (the lining hangs inside the hem and doesn’t extend to the floor)

Example: 6-width curtain job, 90” drop

Face fabric cut length  = 90 + 4 (top) + 6 (bottom) = 100"
Lining cut length       = 90 + 2 = 92"

Face fabric total       = 6 × 100 = 600" = 16.7 yards
Lining total            = 6 × 92  = 552" = 15.3 yards

Lining uses about 1.4 yards less than face fabric in this example. The Curtain Fabric Calculator shows both figures automatically.

Lining Types: Which Is Right?

Unlined Curtains

Face fabric only — no separate lining layer.

Fabric used: Face fabric only.

Benefits:

• Least expensive
• Lighter weight — panels hang and move easily
• Sheerer appearance if using translucent fabric (voile, linen, etc.)

Drawbacks:

• Less insulating
• Light passes through more easily (not ideal for bedrooms)
• Face fabric is exposed to full UV light on the sun side — fades faster
• Unlined curtains drape less luxuriously than lined versions of the same fabric

Best for: Lightweight fabrics, sheer curtains, rooms where light and airiness are desired, or budget-conscious projects.

Standard Lining

A plain woven cotton or polyester sateen fabric sewn to the back of the face fabric.

Fabric used: Face fabric + lining fabric (typically the same width; lining cut slightly shorter).

Benefits:

• Protects face fabric from UV (dramatically extends life — lined curtains fade far more slowly)
• Adds body and weight so curtains drape better
• Modest insulation improvement
• Blocks more light than unlined

Drawbacks:

• Additional fabric cost (lining is usually $4–$10/yard for standard sateen)
• More complex to make (face and lining must be joined correctly)

Lining fabric yardage: About 90–95% of the face fabric yardage (the slightly shorter cut length means less lining).

Best for: Most living rooms and bedrooms. Standard choice for any curtain where quality and longevity matter.

Interlining

A thick, soft flannel or bump fabric sandwiched between face fabric and lining.

Fabric used: Face fabric + interlining + lining fabric (three fabric layers total).

Interlining yardage ≈ same as lining yardage

The interlining is cut the same size as the lining — same widths, same cut length.

Benefits:

• Maximum insulation (reduces heat loss through windows significantly)
• Excellent sound dampening
• The most luxurious drape of any heading style — the extra weight makes curtains hang in deep, smooth folds
• Best light blockage of non-blackout options

Drawbacks:

• Significantly higher cost (3 fabric layers)
• Much heavier — requires sturdy poles, strong brackets, and solid wall fixings
• More difficult to make — interlining is loose-woven and must be “locked” to the face fabric with locking stitches every 12”
• Dry clean only in most cases

Best for: Period properties, formal rooms, rooms with large windows in cold climates, or anywhere maximum insulation and luxury drape are priorities.

Blackout Lining

A dense, coated fabric that blocks essentially all light.

Fabric used: Face fabric + blackout lining (no interlining needed for light blocking).

Fabric yardage: Same calculation as standard lining.

Light blocking:

• Standard lining: blocks 30–60% of light
• Blackout lining: blocks 99%+ of light

Note: True blackout requires not just blackout fabric but also a curtain that returns to the wall on each side (no light gap at the edges). Even blackout-lined curtains with gaps at the sides will let in light around the edges.

Best for: Bedrooms (especially children’s rooms and shift workers), home cinemas, projection rooms. For typical bedroom window yardage including blackout lining, see Curtain Fabric by Room.

Fabric Requirements Comparison

On 100” pole, 2 panels, pencil pleat (2.25×), 90” drop, 54” fabric:

Bold = base case for comparison.

Does Lining Change the Heading Style Calculation?

No. The number of face fabric widths, cut width, and cut length are calculated exactly the same. Lining does not change the fullness, pleat spacing, or hem allowances for the face fabric.

The only difference: you cut a second (and possibly third) set of fabric widths for the lining layers, each to the slightly shorter lining cut length. For the complete cut-width and cut-length formulas, see Curtain Fabric Yardage Formula.

See also: Curtain Fabric Yardage Formula and Curtain Heading Types Guide.