Choosing Your Made-to-Measure Curtain Options
Once you’ve decided to order made-to-measure curtains, you’ll usually be given several options before you can place your order.
Should you order a fabric sample first? Is blackout lining worth paying extra for? Do your curtains need interlining? And is it worth adding a measuring guarantee?
None of these decisions is particularly difficult once you understand what each option actually does.
These guides will help you decide which options are worth choosing for your curtains — and which ones you may not need.
A quick note: We don’t sell curtains ourselves, but customers buying our made-to-measure tracks often ask me these questions when ordering their curtains online.
Which Curtain Option Are You Deciding On?
Choose the question you’re trying to answer below. Each guide deals with one of the decisions you may come across when ordering made-to-measure curtains online.
Should I Order Curtain Fabric Samples First?
See why it’s worth checking the real fabric before ordering and how your sample can help when decorating and furnishing the room.
Why Order Fabric Samples? →Should I Choose Blackout Lining?
Blackout lining isn’t only for bedrooms. See how it affects light, appearance and the overall feel of your finished curtains.
Compare Blackout Lining →Do My Curtains Need Interlining?
Find out what interlining adds, which curtain fabrics benefit from it and when another layer may simply add unnecessary weight.
Understand Curtain Interlining →Is a Measuring Guarantee Worth It?
See what a measuring guarantee can protect you against and what to check in the terms before paying for one.
Check Measuring Guarantees →You Don’t Necessarily Need Every Upgrade
When you’re working through an online curtain order form, it can be tempting to assume that choosing every additional option will give you better curtains.
That’s not necessarily the case.
A lightweight fabric may benefit considerably from interlining, while a naturally heavy fabric may not need it at all. Blackout lining can be useful in far more rooms than just bedrooms, but it’s still worth understanding what you’re paying extra for.
The same applies to fabric samples and measuring guarantees. Their value comes from how you use them and what protection they actually provide.
The aim isn’t to choose the most options. It’s to choose the right options for the curtains you’re ordering.
Choosing the Fabric? Start There Before Decorating
If you’re redecorating the room as well as buying new curtains, I’d start by ordering your curtain fabric samples.
Made-to-measure curtains are likely to be one of the more expensive purchases you’re making for the room, so it makes sense to choose the fabric before committing to some of the easier things to change.
Once you’ve chosen your curtain fabric, keep the sample. You can use it when choosing paint, wallpaper, furniture and accessories while your curtains are being made.
Is It Worth Ordering Curtain Fabric Samples Before Buying Made-to-Measure Curtains? →
Already Chosen Your Curtain Options?
If you’ve chosen your fabric, heading and lining options and you’re ready to place your curtain order, the next questions are usually about the measurements you need to enter.
I’ve put those questions into a separate guide covering curtain width, drop, track overlaps, fullness and pinch pleat returns.
