READY-MADE CURTAINS: EVERYTHING YOU EVER NEEDED TO KNOW
Janeen Duffin
Curtains are a great way to update and transform a space. Not only will they add privacy and block out unwanted light, but they can also add warmth and luxury to a space, as well as absorb sound to improve the acoustics of a room. Stuart Graham Fabrics has an extensive range of quality ready-made curtains that provide a quick, easy and affordable way to instantly update the look and feel of a room. But how do you go about choosing your curtains to get the best finished product if you aren't going custom?
We've compiled an essential guide to our ready-made curtains. Here's everything you need to know:
1. WHEN ARE READY-MADE CURTAINS AN OPTION?
First off, custom-made curtains are great, the experience of getting a professional in and having your curtaining custom made opens up your options, while ensuring a professional finish, in a fabric and style of your choice. It also allows you to sit back, relax and let a seasoned professional take care of the measurements and make up. But the need for instant gratification is on the up and up, and time, budget or circumstances (for example, if you are renting) just don't allow for a set of custom curtains.
If you have abnormally high ceilings or uniquely shaped windows, you might have no choice but to go custom, however if it's a fairly standard height window you have on your hands, ready mades are an option for you, and with our impressive range of printed designs, plain sheers, textured stripes and plain textures, there's plenty to choose from.
2. THE MEASUREMENTS
Our ready-made curtains all come in two lengths: standard and extra length. An extra length curtain will give you approximately 30cm additional length to work with.
The width of a curtain is more flexible. There is no set calculation when it comes to curtain width, however, we recommend that the hanging curtain is gathered to half of it's width. For example, if a curtain is 265 cm wide, once gathered and hung, it should measure 132.5 cm. This means, 2 x 265 cm curtains would be sufficient for a 280 cm wide curtain track. If you prefer less fullness in the curtain, you can of course stretch this to cover extra width.
TOP TIPS:
1) When working out how many curtains are needed, always measure the curtain track and NOT the inside of the window or door. The track or curtain rod usually has a 15cm overhang on either side of the wall and is usually positioned 15cm from the top of the window arch.
2) If you have a standard window height, but an extra-length curtain track, for example an eight-metre track, it would be better to have custom curtains made. However if cost-saving is a priority, ready mades are still an option! The only drawback is that you would then have six individual curtains on the track and not one solid curtain.
3) Ideally, a curtain should sit one centimetre from the floor once hung.
3. ALTERATIONS
Whilst it is tempting to want to make alterations, we don't recommend it. Once a ready-made has been altered it is no longer eligible for return in the case of fault. It also takes away from the convenience of this curtaining option. There are however some workarounds you can use to avoid hemming a curtain and saving on the additional admin.
1) Before you start, measure up and select the length best suited for your window (standard or extra length).
2) If you have an unusually low window, rather hang the curtain rail a little higher on the wall to avoid having to hem a standard length curtain. In fact, some interior decorators often prefer to hang curtains well above the window to give the illusion of extra height in a space.
3) If your window height is in between lengths, or if you are serious about elongating the room, you can opt for an extra length curtain and hang the rail or track as close to the ceiling as possible. You may need to hem the bottom, but the lengthening effect on the height of your ceilings is a nice touch. Just remember that the curtain will not be eligible for return once it's been altered. Alternatively, curtains that break the floor (extend past the ground) also know as pooling or puddling, are an option.
4. TAPE VS EYELETS VS WAVE TAPE
Although the majority of rails that are up in houses are tracks to accommodate taped curtains, eyelets are very popular. Eyelets are slightly easier to install, no curtains hooks or prongs needed, and the end result tends to be a cleaner, more modern look. Eyelets also allow you to cover more window, as it's not necessary to have them as full as taped curtains. However, if you prefer a fuller look, taped curtains would be your better option. There's no right or wrong here, it's more about finding the curtain that best suits your personal style or circumstances. You might have moved to a rental that already has tape tracks in places, in which case it's more cost-effective and convenient to use what is already available.
Tape curtains offer a refreshed look thanks to clever accessories. Using modern curtain loops on your taped curtains can create a plush, but contemporary look. Our 3 string woven pocket tape pulls easily to ensure a neat pleat. The 3 levels accomodate slight height variances - between 2-5cm.
The beauty about eyelets curtains is that they are really easy to hang, since there’s no fiddling with hooks and tape, so they truly are a ready-to-hang solution. They create a neat look whether the curtains are stacked, partially or fully open.
At the moment we are loving Wave curtain heading option. The unstructured style of a wave header means that your curtains fold up really neatly when they're fully open. So, if you have a limited amount of wall space either side of your window, wave curtains are an ideal choice.
At the end of the day your curtain heading style comes down to personal preference!
5. LINED VS UNLINED
All of our Ready Made Curtains are lined or self-lined (with the exception of sheer designs such as Aerial & Tranquil). With the harsh African sun and weather conditions it is recommend that all curtains are lined to protect the actual curtain against harsh UV rays that can cause fading. We use a light weight polycotton lining for our lined curtains that protects the fabric without adding too much extra heaviness to the curtain. Lined curtains also offers light reduction and privacy. Our also offer self-lined design options which will either partially or completely blockout the light.
6. SHEERS
We offer a range of beautiful textured sheers. Sheers are wonderful for decorative purposes, adding a light and breezy feel or perhaps to add some warmth as a layer in front of functional blinds. Some might even run a double curtain track with a sheer behind a lined or blockout curtain to keep closed for extra privacy during the day whilst enjoying the coverage of a lined curtain when needed.
7. OUR COLLECTION OF PREMIUM STYLE CURTAINS:
