Curtains have been used for centuries. Originally they were utilised not only to keep out insects and dust but bad weather elements. Windows would have been adorned in animal hide or fur, not a fabric of choice for present day modern society.

As cultures developed curtains were seen as not only functional but evolved into an ornamental window treatment. Luxurious fabrics,such as velvet or the finest lace were used to adorn windows and they provided an air of elegance to the any room. Bed curtains also became popular not only for functional reasons but also to add a sense of mystique. For example , in the Orient, beaded curtains made from coloured glass were used and exquisite drapery such as gossamer adorned harems and throne rooms.

Nowadays curtains are still used for practical reasons but they are also seen as a focal point in a room or to frame a view or window. Whether you are choosing curtains for a kitchen or a bedroom the type that you decide on tend to reflect your personality and look you are trying to achieve.

There is a huge range of curtains available on the market. Whether it be tab-pleated, swag or smock, access to choices have been made more readily available with the introduction of the world wide web. Customers can choose from ready made curtains to made to measure curtains. They can see different headers, materials and designs.

When you are buying curtains, careful consideration should be given to which curtain headings you choose. Curtains can come in a wide variety of styles and can influence the design and feel of your home. The heading you choose will give your room individuality and create an atmosphere of formality or informality. These design distinctions can be made whether you are buying ready made curtains or made to measure curtains.

Standard Pleats.
By sewing header tape into the top edge of the curtain, many different headers and effects can be created. For instance pleats and folds can be formed by pulling the cord which runs through the tapes. Pleats can be made sharper when the cord is drawn tightly. There can be several cords in each tape for drawing up the pleats in the curtain and a good quality tape will also have several rows of pockets for hooks which will allow you to adjust the height of the heading.

Box Pleats.
This effect can be created using box pleat heading tape. The pleats have no spacing between them but fall one after the other. This gives a more formal and tailored look as the curtain falls into deep pleats down its full length.

Cased Headings.
Simple cased headings are used for net curtains or lightweight fabrics that are not being constantly opened or closed. The casing sewn across the top is left open at the ends. A narrow curtain rod or plastic covered spring slides through the channel and fits into hooks at the side of the window.

Eyelet/Slot headings.
These are used to create a simple modern look. A narrow rod, pole or wire is threaded through eyelets that are positioned close to the top edge creating deep folds.

Goblet/Cartledge Pleated Headings.
Goblet pleats are ideal for longer more elegant curtains. The pleats fall from each goblet and can be filled with tissue paper or cotton wool to help retain their shape.

If you live in either a bespoke modern house or an older property you’ll probably find that your windows are not of a modern standard size. This means that buying ready made curtains may cause problems and may even be out of the question for you.

The alternative is to opt for made to measure curtains. This will ensure the curtains have the necessary width and fall to provide the perfect finish for your window.

For example, if you live in a thatched cottage your windows are likely to be small and deeply set. It is unlikely that you will be able to buy ready made curtains which would fit this sort of window.

If you live in a modern house with very large glass paneled feature windows again finding an off the peg curtain is very likely to be impossible.

We can help you to buy curtains (ready made curtains and made to measure curtains) but to get the most out of your new curtains you need to know how to clean and maintain them.

Always follow the care instructions given by the manufacturer. Before attempting to wash your curtains try the following:

Firstly, use a vacuum cleaner on low power with an upholstery cleaning brush. Curtains are more likely to have collected dust than actually got dirty. If they do have dirty marks try spot clean them with a light fabric cleaner.

If you are unable to achieve a satisfactory result by vacuuming and spot cleaning, the next step is to take your curtains to the dry cleaners. Alternatively, hand wash curtains to avoid shrinkage and hang them back up whilst they are still damp.

So how do you decide whether you should buy ready made curtains or made to measure curtains?

There are a number of variables to consider like; price, how quickly you need the curtains, heading styles, choice of fabrics and quality of the finished product.

On the whole, made to measure curtains will be more expensive this is obviously due to them being tailor made to your exact requirements. The delivery time on ready made curtains will probably be no more than a few days – you will have to wait longer whilst your made to measure curtains are made. You will probably have a far wider choice of heading styles and fabric if you opt for made to measure curtains. Your supplier is likely to have more control over the quality of made to measure curtains as well.

So your choice will depend largely on how quickly you want your curtains and whether you have a very particular finish in mind

Whether you’re thinking of buying ready made curtains or made to measure curtains it’s really important that you get things right from the beginning.

The beginning is measuring up for your curtains and this is where it can all very easily go wrong.

The first thing to remember is to measure your track or pole NOT your window. If you haven’t chosen or bought your track yet it’s a really good idea to do this before you go any further.

Measuring the Width:
Remember that the curtain pole or track should extend on both sides of the window by approximately 15 to 20 cms. This is to allow you to push back the curtains away from the window during the day. If you fail to account for the additional width when ordering your curtains you may find that they are not wide enough to hang nicely when drawn or they may not meet in the middle when drawn.

Measuring the Length:
When you are measuring the length of the curtains, measure the drop in several different places. This is because floors or window sills, especially in old houses, are rarely completely even. Once you have taken several measurements order the curtains to the shortest measurement. By doing this you will avoid the curtains looking uneven at the bottom.