A Guide to Made to Measure Curtains

Posted: Oct 20 2020

Why Choose Made to Measure Curtains?

Zoffany Jayshree embroidery curtains with writing desk

There are lots of reasons why it is worth considering made to measure curtains as an investment for your home that will last for years. 

  • They are designed, made and fitted specifically for your windows, even non-standard window sizes
  • They can add beauty and elegance to your space, and with fabrics to complement your room scheme
  • They help you to control light, heat, privacy and sound
  • They can hide an ugly view or frame a beautiful one
  • They are available in a multitude of styles, fabrics and finishes. 

That said, the sheer number of fabrics, curtain styles and accessories available can sometimes make choosing made to measure curtains feel overwhelming!

We work closely with our clients to make the process as easy and relaxed as possible from design and measure, to make up and fitting. 

Our Approach

  • When taking your brief we discuss your personal style, your practical requirements and your budget.
  • We recommend fabric choices and the most suitable curtain finishes for your window. 
  • We will advise you on the track or pole most suited to your window - from manual to corded and motorised. Or work with your existing fittings.
  • We then take approximate sizes ahead of providing a ballpark estimate.
  • If you are interested in going ahead, our skilled fitters will take final measurements and we will provide a formal estimate.
  • On placing your order please allow 6 weeks (subject to fabric availability) for us to make-up your curtains before being hung and dressed by our fitters. 

To discuss your project, please click here.

Curtain Headers

We will help you choose the most suitable header for your curtains that reflect your style and any practical considerations.

1. Pencil Pleat

Relaxed Pencil Pleat Curtains on Metal Poles

A Pencil Pleat heading is made using a strung header tape which resembles a row of pencils laid side by side.

Our Pencil Pleat curtains are pleated to fit your exact window size and are best suited to a more informal look, smaller windows and in children's rooms.

Pencil Pleat curtains using thicker fabrics or interlinings are bulky so for this reason we don't recommend them on large recessed bay windows where the curtains are likely to cover much of the side windows when pulled back.

2. Pinch Pleat

Double Pinch Pleat Silk Damask Curtains on Bespoke Bay Window Pole

Pinch Pleat is a traditional curtain heading used to create a classic luxury finish.

Pinch Pleat headings have permanent sewn-together pinch pleats - single, double or triple pinch pleats depending on fullness required. 

Pinch Pleat curtains offer plenty of body but stack back more neatly on large windows than pencil pleat.

As with any of our curtain headers, they can be trimmed with decorative pompoms or beading,  or have contrasting fabric borders.

Double pinch pleat curtains with contrasting buttons and border

3. Wave

Wave Curtains on Recessed Wave Track on Bifold Doors

Wave is a Silent Gliss system and is created through combining a specially designed heading tape with a specific track or tracked pole to give a soft and simple continuous wave effect on curtains and voiles.

Wave curtains are ideal for contemporary living spaces with large windows or bifold doors as they stack back very neatly when made with unlined voile or dim out fabrics. 

Wave headers come in two sizes:

  • 80mm wave offers a deeper wave with a larger distance from the front to the back
  • 60mm wave which is shallower and smaller front to back, ideal for smaller recesses but will have a slightly larger stack back. 

4. Eyelet

Eyelet Curtains with Privacy Roller Blind

Eyelet is a modern heading where the curtain pole is threaded through the eyelets without the need for rings or hooks.

Eyelet curtains stack back neatly for a minimal look but are only suitable for straight windows as the eyelets cannot pass brackets on curved and bay window poles.

They are best suited to living areas as they are more likely to leak light from between the eyelet waves.

Curtain Linings

We make unlined, lined, blackout lined and interlined curtains, and will advise on what is most appropriate to your chosen fabric and the practical considerations of your home.

1. Unlined

 Silent Gliss Wave Unlined Voile Curtains

Voiles or privacy curtains are typically unlined and are useful for diffusing light and protecting curtains, hiding an ugly view or blocking the neighbours!

Nowadays there are also lots of dim out and blackout fabrics available designed to be used unlined as well.

These are particularly useful for large windows such as bifold doors to shield glare, and in large loft windows where the curtains need to be stacked back within a recess, or to optimise light. 

Blackout Wave Curtain with Privacy Roller Blinds on Large Loft Window

2. Blackout Lining

Blackout Lining is recommended where you need to block as much light as possible, for example in bedrooms and nurseries, or to protect fabrics from fading in sunlight.  

3. Thermal Interlining

Interlining sits between the visible parts of your curtains – the main fabric and the lining. Similar in feel to cotton wool or a flannel blanket, it provides a layer of thermal and acoustic insulation to improve warmth and energy efficiency on single glazed windows, and to dampen external noise. 

Interlining offers structural support to natural fabrics such as silk and linen, and to fine embroidered fabrics. 

Interlining provides an additional layer of protection for delicate fabrics prolonging the life of your curtains. 

And interlining changes the feel of the fabric dramatically. Many gorgeous fabrics can look a bit thin with just lining but when interlined they feel sumptuous and luxurious!

To discuss your project, please click here. We'd be happy to help you!