How To Measure For Made To Measure Curtains

CURTAINS

The style and impact of a curtain will be determined by several factors.

  •    *   Fabric – The type of fabric and design you choose.
  •    *   Styling/Heading – The type of heading you choose e.g.eyelet, pencil tape.
  •    *   Curtain drop – The length of drop you choose e.g. sill length, below sill or floor length.

These are key factors which will affect the style and appearance of a curtain.

HEADINGS

The heading is the top of the curtain which will be attached to the curtain track/pole.

 

PENCIL HEADING

    • The material is gathered into uniform pleats to gain full impact. The back of the curtain is fitted with a 3″ curtain tape. The curtain can then be attached onto a curtain track. The curtain is hung from any pocket position as required and usually covers the track.
  • The curtains have draw cords at the back of the heading tape. Make sure each curtain is drawn to the correct width before hanging and make sure you tie one end.
  • When using a pole the curtain is hung from the top pocket of the tape to reveal the decorative pole.
    One width of material ruched will reduce to approx half its original width.

 

 

EYELET HEADING

Suitable only for poles.

The drop measurement must be taken from the top of the pole and you must add an extra 3cm to this measurement as this will be the fabric allowance that will appear above the eyelet on the curtain.

This is a fixed tolerance and cannot be changed due to the manufacturing process.

This will then give you your overall drop of the curtain

 

PINCH PLEAT HEADING

Made to exact track/pole measurements by means of sewn in decorative pleats in 5” stiffened buckram to each pleat.
When attaching on to a curtain pole the pin hooks supplied are fixed half and inch beneath the top of the curtains to reveal the pole.
One width of material pleated covers approx 16 – 23inches of pole depending on the overall pole width.

LININGS

You can choose to have your curtains lined in our Standard Ivory or White polycotton satin lining fabric, in Ivory Blackout or Ivory Thermal lining fabric.

CURTAIN MEASUREMENTS

It is important you enter the correct measurements to ensure the curtains are made to the exact requirements, the information required is ;-

 

WIDTH

To achieve the correct width, the size of the track or pole is required. We recommend that any track/pole should be fitted 15cm – 30cm either side of the window recess to allow curtains when open to be pulled back away from the window.

Curtain Track – ensure you measure the width of curtain track and not the window.
Curtain Pole – ensure you measure the width of the pole, excluding the finials.
LENGTH
If choosing Pencil Heading – the drop measurement should be taken from the top of the track or the bottom of the ring.
If choosing Eyelet Heading – the drop measurement should be taken from the top of the pole – please ensure you add 3cm to the drop for the fabric allowance visible above the pole
Deciding on curtain length is down to personal preference, however there are three basic lengths you may wish to choose from :-
Sill length – The curtain should be approximately 1cm above the sill
Below sill length – The curtain should be 15 cm below the sill or 3cm above the radiator.
Floor length – The curtain should be 2.5cm above the floor.

 

HOW TO MEASURE FOR ROMAN BLINDS
Advice on how to purchase the correct size Roman blinds.
A Roman Blind hangs flat at the window in the lowered position. It is raised by means of draw strings or sidewinder controls attached to thin bars inserted into the blind and this forms straight stepped folds upon rising. *Note – minimum stack drop is 12” when blind is pulled up.
Sidewinder controls are available in chrome metal, gold metal or white plastic. 

 

 

BLIND MEASUREMENTS

Blinds may be fitted either inside or outside the window recess. When deciding whether to fit the blind inside or outside the recess, consider the following points :
It will be necessary to fit the blind outside the recess if :

  • The recess is less than 7.5cm deep
  • The window opens inwards
  • The window is not straight (width or height varies by more than 2cm)
 

Measuring for a blind to fit inside a window recess :

  • Always use a metal tape and measure in millimeters
  • Measure the width (wall to wall) and drop in at least three positions taking account of any protrusions such as tiles, dado rails etc.
  • Make a note of the smallest width and drop measurement and quote these as the Recess Size. We will make the necessary adjustments for fittings.
  • All blinds are supplied on a track cut to the exact width complete with fittings and are ready to hang from simple press on bracket

Measuring for a blind to fit outside a window recess :

  • Always use a metal tape and measure in millimeters
  • Measure for the width and drop. We would recommend that you allow the blind to extend approximately 10cm either side of the window and 10cm above and below the window.
  • Make a note of the required width and drop measurement and quote these as the
    Blind Size-All blinds are supplied on a track cut to the exact width complete with fittings and are ready to hang from simple press on brackets

 

 

 

 

How To Measure For Made To Measure Valances
Advice on how to purchase the correct size valance
A valance is a key purchase when ordering made-to-measure curtains. It can match, co-ordinate or contrast the material of the curtain. Therefore it is important to know the different styles and designs available to enable you to choose a valance best suited to your requirements.

STYLES OF VALANCES
The style and impact of a valance will be determined by several factors.

STRAIGHT
available with Pencil pleat heading or Pinch pleat heading.

 

Pencil heading – Traditional 3″ pencil pleated heading suitable for track or pole

Pinch Pleat heading – Stylish & traditional heading sewn to a fixed rail width. Made to exact track measurement with 13cm (5”) buckrum sewn into each pleat.

 

 

 

Box pleated valances are made with a 10cm flat top panel, stiffened with buckram and piped. From this panel hang the box-pleats. It is fully lined and attaches to a pelmet board or valance rail by means of Velcro

SHAPED-available with Pencil pleat heading or Pinch pleat heading.

 

Pencil heading – Traditional 3″ pencil pleated heading suitable for track or pole

Pinch Pleat heading – Stylish & traditional heading sewn to a fixed rail width. Made to exact track measurement with 13cm (5”) buckrum sewn into each pleat.

VALANCE WIDTH -Please ensure that you measure the valance rail or pelmet board and not the curtain track. The valance rail is normally 30cm (approx 12 inches) wider than the curtain rail it is fitted to.
For Pinch pleat and Box pleat valances, we would recommend you fit these to a pelmet board
When measuring for your valance, you must include the total width required taking into account the following :

  • The face length

The returns either side

 

 

 

VALANCE DROP

STRAIGHT VALANCE -The finished drop of a valance is down to personal preference however for a Pinch Pleat valance we would recommend a minimum drop of 8”; and for a Pencil Pleat valance a minimum drop of 6”.

SHAPED VALANCE-Measure maximum outside finished drop (C) and minimum inside finished drop (D)

 
FINISHING TOUCHES

Buttons Decorative buttons are available on Pinch pleat valances and are sewn to each pleat to enhance the look of the product.

Border You can have your valance finished with a 2.5cm (1inch) border on the bottom of the valance. This can be in the same fabric or a contrast fabric (if available) or the valance can be left plain without a border.

Lining Valances are supplied fully lined in a choice of standard ivory or white poly/cotton lining or alternatively blackout or thermal linings are available.

RECOMMENDED DROPS FOR STRAIGHT/SHAPED VALANCES

CURTAIN DROP

Up to 183cm (72”)

184cm – 228cm (72”-90”)

229cm (90”) & over

STRAIGHT VALANCE DROP

30cm (12”)

38cm (15”)

45cm (18”)

SHAPED VALANCE DROP

25cm (10”) – 38cm (15”)

30cm (12”) – 45cm (18”)

35cm (14”) – 53cm (21”)