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Made to Measure Curtains - Help

We will need  the width of the curtain rail or pole, the height of the fixing to the floor and the window opening size, reveal to reveal lintil to ledge.

Call or email with your dimensions for an estimate, we will then quote after verifying all the details.

That is it and If you wish to estimate yourself there is a guide below.

Below is our guide to taking measurements for curtains, use this to give yourself a guide as to how much fabric is required for your project and a price guide.
In any case call 020 7183 9029 or email assistance@sprucelondon.com
for measuring advice , fabric selection, headings and lining.


We recommend that you fit your track or pole before taking your measurements. Measure the track or pole, not the window itself.  Poles are normally fitted 10-15 cm above window depending on the depth of the wall between your window and the ceiling.

  • If using a track to hang double or triple pleat curtains, maximum depth is 3.5cms. (Top of track to bottom of glider).
  • The track or pole should extend beyond the window at either side, usually by 15 – 30 cm either side of the window, depending on the width of the window, to allow for the curtains to be drawn back off the windows during the day.  If you intend to have a bulky curtain, allow more room either side, for a less full curtain allow less, but it’s a matter of taste.
  • When measuring for curtains you measure the width of the track / pole, not the width of the window. If you are using a pole, it is the measurement from one finial to the other which is used.
  • Always use a metal tape measure as a cloth or plastic tape will stretch over time.
  • Always double-check all your measurements.
  • Measurements must be in full centimetres. Where your measurement falls in between two whole centimetres, always round down to the nearest centimetre (e.g. for a measurement of 100.5cm, you would round down to 100cm).

Width

  • When measuring for curtains you measure the width of the track/pole, not the width of the window.
  • For poles: measure the width between the decorative finials.
  • For tracks: measure the width from end to end.
  • If the track overlaps in the middle you need to include the overlap.

Drop

  • Please note that floors may be uneven, so always take three measurements for the drop, ie one at each end and one in the middle. The shortest measurement is usually used, so the curtains do not drag on the floor. If these three measurements are vastly different, or you are using a fabric with a lot of movement in it we recommend that curtains are puddled on the floor. 
  • The overall drop of the curtain is the complete length of the curtain, top to bottom, including the heading height.
  • For poles: measure from the underside of the curtain ring (the eye) to allow the pole to be seen above the curtains.
  • For eyelet curtains: measure from the top of the pole and add 4cm.
  • For tab-headed curtains: measure from the top of the pole. To minimise light exposure we recommend you position your pole a minimum of 15cm above the top of the window.
  • For tracks: measure from the top of track and add 1-2cm  to allow it to be hidden by the curtains, down to where you would like the curtains to finish.
  • Measure from the correct point to:
    • 1cm above the sill for sill length;
    • the desired length for below-sill length; usually 15-20cm below the windowsill unless there is a radiator which you will need to allow for.
    • 1cm above the floor for full length.

 

How much fabric do I need? Ask us or follow the advice below

  • Measure the width of your curtain pole or track, as explained above.
  • Multiply this width by the fullness required for your heading:
  • Goblet pleat/Triple pleat : multiply your width by 2.5.
  • Gathered / Slotted / Eyelet / Tabbed top / Tie top: multiply your width by 2.
  • Pencil pleat : multiply your width by 2 - 2.5.
  • Divide this number by the width of your chosen fabric and round up to the nearest whole number. This is the number of widths of fabric required.
  • Measure the finished length of the curtains you require, as explained in the previous section.
  • Add 25-30 cm for turnings, this gives you your cutting length.
  • Multiply the number of widths by the cutting length. This is the amount of fabric you need for a plain fabric.

Patterned Fabric

  • If you are buying a fabric with a pattern, you will need to pattern match the fabric, so that when the curtains are drawn together, the pattern is the same on both curtains.
  • To allow enough fabric for pattern matching, add the following calculation:
    • Take the cutting length you have calculated and divide this by the pattern repeat. Round the number of pattern repeats upwards.
    • Using this new cutting length, and multiply by the number of widths. This is the amount of fabric you need to buy for your chosen patterned  fabric .  We would advise you add an additional pattern repeat to allow you to place the pattern accurately.

For example: For a  drop of 182cm 185 cm divided by vertical pattern repeat 22.5 cm = 8.22 pattern repeats.  So round 8.22 up to 9. 

APPROXIMATE QUANTITIES OF FABRIC

Curtain Length

Number of Fabric Drops

 

2

3

4

5

6

100cm

2.5m

3.75m

5.00m

6.25m

7.50m

200cm

4.50m

6.75m

9.00m

11.25m

13.50m

300cm

6.50m

9.75m

13.00m

16.25m

19.50m

PLEASE NOTE:  EXTRAS SUCH AS BORDERS AND TRIMMING INCUR AN ADDITIONAL COST.

HOOKS ARE NOT INCLUDED.

 

Heading Styles are numerous here are the most popular.

Pencil Pleat 

 Pencil Pleat

Pinch Pleat 

 pinch pleat

Goblet 

 goblet pleat curtain header

C-Rings


Tracks and Poles

Shown here for reference only

 

 

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SPRUCE LONDON 0207 183 9029