Ordering Made-to-Measure Curtains Online
Ordering made-to-measure curtains online is usually quite straightforward — until you reach the boxes asking for your curtain width, drop and other measurements.
That’s when the questions often start.
Do I enter the actual width of my curtain track? Do I need to add anything for the gathers? What happens if my track overlaps in the middle? And exactly where should I measure the curtain drop from?
These are all questions I regularly get asked, so I’ve put the answers together here.
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.
What Do You Need Help With?
Choose the question you’re trying to answer below. Each guide deals with one specific part of ordering your made-to-measure curtains.
What Curtain Width Should I Enter?
If the order form asks for your track or pole width, find out exactly what you should measure and enter.
Check Your Curtain Width →What Curtain Drop Should I Enter?
See where to measure from, where to measure to and how much clearance to allow for your finished curtains.
Check Your Curtain Drop →Does My Curtain Track Overlap Count?
If your track overlaps in the middle or uses an overlap arm, see how to include this in the measurement you provide.
Measure Your Track Overlap →Do I Need to Add Extra Width for Fullness?
Find out whether you need to allow for gathers and pleats yourself, or whether your curtain maker does this for you.
Understand Curtain Fullness →Ordering Pinch Pleat Curtains?
Check the outside returns before ordering so your finished curtains don’t leave unwanted gaps at the sides.
Avoid Gaps at the Sides →Why It’s Worth Checking Before You Order
Most of these measurements aren’t difficult to take. The confusing part is often knowing which measurement the curtain maker wants you to provide and which allowances they’ll make themselves.
For example, if you’re asked for your curtain track width, you normally provide the actual track measurement. You don’t need to calculate how much extra fabric is required to create the gathers or pleats — that’s something the curtain maker works out for your chosen heading style.
There are also small details, such as a centre track overlap or the returns on pinch pleat curtains, that are much easier to deal with before your curtains have been made.
A couple of minutes checking these details before placing your order can help avoid an expensive mistake later.
Fit Your Curtain Track First If You Can
If you’re ordering curtains for a bay window, I strongly recommend having the curtain track fitted before taking your final curtain measurements.
A fitted track gives you something definite to measure. You can follow the actual track around the shape of the bay, include any returns out onto the side walls and see exactly where the curtains will hang.
That’s much more reliable than trying to estimate the finished track length and curtain position before the track is in place.
Want to know why I recommend doing it this way? Read Should I Fit My Bay Window Curtain Track Before Ordering My Curtains? →
Still Choosing a Track for Your Bay Window?
If you’re researching made-to-measure curtains but haven’t sorted out what they’ll be hanging from yet, take a look at our made-to-measure bay window tracks.
Each track is made to the measurements and shape of your bay, so it arrives already cut, shaped and prepared ready for fitting.
