For a lot of people the expense of handmade curtains can be off putting. It can be a difficult decision as it is essentially a long term investment. I hope, in this blog, to let you know the benefits of getting your curtains made-to-measure. And why it’s worth spending the extra money if you have it.
Let’s start at the top – the curtain heading. Professionally handmade curtains generally use a 6” buckram and you choose your heading style, either wave, pencil, double or french pleat. The higher quality and bigger size of buckram gives a crisper and more tailored finish. Ready-made curtains tend to use a 3” or 4” tape heading of cheaper quality and are almost always pencil pleat. They often don’t hang as well as handmade curtains which can end up taking from your room rather than adding to it.
Next, let’s look at the curtain lining. Handmade curtains use a good quality lining. This allows your curtains to stand the test of time as it protects your carefully selected fabric from the damages of the sun. Also, in my opinion, using lining and interlining gives a much better drape on curtains. Interlining is a fleece lining which is sewn between the fabric and lining so it’s never seen. It adds bulk and gives a more elegant finish to your curtains. Interlining, also, helps to insulate around your window area which can only be of benefit in those winter months!
I understand you may be wary of the expense, and sometimes the convenience of readymade curtains can be all too tempting. However, I have all too often seen readymade curtains looking sad and limp on a window. This can be because they were badly fitted. However, it could be because your readymade curtains aren’t up for the job. Readymade curtain headings can be too short and the lining can be very thin or not there at all. This can take from how they fall and how they frame your window. Also depending on the fabric, you may not get as much privacy you as think! It must be said though, that this is not always the case. If you do your homework you can source good quality readymade curtains, however, you are still restricted to the sizes, patterns and styles they provide. I do believe you will never get a readymade to look as well as a curtain that has been specifically tailored for your window.
Now, although for some the idea of searching through fabrics, poles, tiebacks, trimmings etc can be great fun. For others, it can be a little daunting as sometimes the choice can be overwhelming. This is where professionals, like myself, are here to help guide you through the process. Helping you decide on the right options for you, your window and your scheme.
Yes, handmade curtains do take more time and are more costly. However, not only will your interior designer organise everything from the consultation right through to installation, they will call to your home with various fabrics samples carefully chosen for you. This can ease the stress and often time consuming task of finding “the right one”. Instead you get an enjoyable experience from the comfort of your own home. These samples can be left in your home so you can see how they behave through all the stages of day and evening. Thus, giving you the confidence, that the fabric you choose will work perfectly within your scheme.
Now, before I finish, some may ask what I mean when I talk about the hang or fall or drape of curtains. I simply mean how your curtains behave. When you close your curtains in the evening, they should fall beautifully together almost effortlessly. Once reopened in the morning, they should sit back on either side, beautifully framing your window. With readymade curtains the heading can tend to fall forward and quite often, need tweaking and fixing each day to look good. This is not the case with handmade curtains, they hang beautifully just as they should with minimal effort. Basically, you get what you paid for!