Curtains are such a seemingly complex part of home decorating that there is a whole encyclopedia (by Merrick & Day, spanning 384 pages) dedicated to techniques and terminology.
The default for many of us is to take refuge among a big retailer’s simplified offerings, measure up quickly and hope for the best. But, as the experts will tell you, you’re likely to be selling your window frames short.
“Off-the-shelf curtains and blinds are often limited in terms of aesthetic and style, and quite often only cater to ‘standard’ window sizing,” says curtain-maker Diana Yates.
She adds how “in order to meet the lower price points, the fabrics (including the linings and interlinings) used are usually of a poorer quality, which can reduce the lifespan of your curtains”.
Laragh Bohn and Mary Walsh, the duo behind The London Curtain Girls — who have just decked out One Club Row in Shoreditch with velvet drapes and acoustic café panels — concede that the cost for bespoke window dressings can be prohibitive.
But, if you can dig deep — and account for them at the start of your renovation — you’ll never regret it.
“People often leave their curtains and blinds until last and then wonder why their homes look unfinished,” they say. “Custom-made curtains and blinds are a long-term investment, tailored to your window when measured properly, and allow you as the customer to choose the detailing that really elevates the look.”
Here is some guidance on where to look beyond the ready-made and explore having a go yourself …
A local curtain-maker isn’t likely to have a snazzy website, but they will usually be happy to come round, measure up and hold your hand through the process. They can advise on heading styles (a simpler finish is more contemporary than a pencil pleat) and length.
The London Curtain Girls steer clients towards fabrics with longevity — think timeless linens, lightweight wools and cotton stripes “that will look as good in 20 years as the day you chose them” over on-trend prints. Always order physical samples to check the texture and colour within the space.
Choose timeless linens, lightweight wools and cotton stripes
Yates, who is based in Scotland but offers a made-to-measure service nationwide, warns never to skimp on fullness. “If you’re on a tight budget opt for a cheaper main fabric and elevate it with a trim or contrasting leading edge rather than skimping.”
Where to find unique fabrics
Yates suggests following fabric houses on social media, “as this is where they first advertise their sample sale and end-of-line sales, which are great places for picking up a bargain”.
Haines Collection’s USP is selling seconds and surplus from big-name brands such as Fermoie and Linwood at discounted prices.
The London Curtain Girls have a soft spot for Studio Humbug’s take on stripes, Cinny’s patterned linens and natural fabric specialist Yarn Collective for high-quality recycled textiles.
Pleat has 10 styles in almost 100 washable fabrics, with every panel handmade in the UK using traditional techniques
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Pleat, founded by a mother-daughter duo earlier this year, is on a mission to make the skill of a neighbourhood seamstress easily available online.
It has 10 styles in almost 100 washable fabrics, with every panel handmade in the UK using traditional techniques.
Prices start from £700 but for that, styles are blackout-lined and thermal interlined, so you’re getting proper quality.
Esteemed textile brand Tori Murphy, which has supplied curtains for Soho House Manchester, has a made-to-measure service with a 14-day lead time. On Instagram, you may have seen ads for Gotain. This Stockholm brand, stocked by Att Pynta, is one to bookmark for Scandi sheers, with customisable panels starting from £169.
Tori Murphy’s made-to-measure service takes two weeks
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Here’s where you can really save yourself some money: all that’s needed is a sewing machine and a skilled fairy godmother to guide you through the steps. The Goodlife Centre in Southwark is hosting day-long curtain-making workshops throughout the autumn for £135.
If e-learning is more your thing, check out Create Academy’s £127 course with Gemma Moulton, founder of East London Cloth.
Author and DIY enthusiast Katherine Ormerod has made every curtain for her home and would be hard-pushed to buy a ready-made pair again: “Mastering a skill like this, especially one which is so costly to delegate, was a real mid-life self-esteem booster for me.
“My advice would be to first try making curtains out of inexpensive fabric like ticking. You will likely make mistakes, but that’s the cost of gaining a skill.”