Consider the style of your
curtains - don't always choose the obvious
The different heading styles require vastly different amounts of stack-back
space. Stack-back is the length of track covered by curtain during the
day when the curtains are open.
Tab tops require the most, pencil pleats need slightly less, then pinch
pleats and 40mm eyelets need hardly any at all - see pole lengths below.
A single width of fabric made into a tab top curtain covers 40cm of pole
when the curtains are open, the same amount fabric made into an eyelet
curtain will cover just 10cm of pole.
Space is at a premium in many children's rooms, consider your curtain style
carefully, don't always choose the obvious.
Choose the style,
then buy the pole
Whenever possible choose the header style first, then buy the pole -
different styles need different lengths of pole. For example, if your
window recess is 100cm wide you will need;
- a 120cm pole for eyelet curtains
- a 140cm pole for pencil pleat or pinch pleat curtains
- a 180cm pole for tab tops curtains
Feel free to call us for advice.
VALANCES
A co-ordinating valance is a great way to hide a
curtain track or make more of a feature of your window dressing.
Use a Co-ordinating Fabric
The large designs on a lot of children's soft furnishing fabrics rarely work
well on a short valance so consider using a co-ordinating fabric, for
example;
Beside the Sea - 'Fish' for the curtains with 'Tiddler' for the valance
Boys Own - 'Boys Own' for the curtains with 'Superstars' for the valance
Teddies - 'Little Bear' for the curtains with 'Paws' for the valance
A Valance is not just for Curtains
Sometimes a roman or roller blind is the best solution for your window, but
they can look a little stark. Adding a valance, with any of our
heading styles, can be the finishing touch.
Valance Length
A valance is usually 12.5% of the total height from the top of the valance to the hem of the curtains.
Valances improve blackout
A valance fitted to a pelmet board, not a valance track, will greatly
improve the blackout effect of your curtains.
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TIE-BACKS
Tie-backs are a useful way of keeping curtains off the
window during the day and allowing the maximum daylight in.
Our tie-backs are a classic crescent (banana) shape and are available self
or contrast piped.
Self-piped - the piping is made from the same fabric as the body of the
tie-back.
Contrast piped - the piping is made using a contrasting or co-ordinating
fabric (if available).
Use a Co-ordinating Fabric
As with valances, the larger designs are not always ideal for tie-backs so
consider using a contrasting or co-ordinating fabric.
Eyelet Curtains
Tie-backs do not suit the style of eyelet curtains, but the stack-back of
the curtains is so good tie-backs really are unnecessary.
BEWARE: the use of tie-backs will occasionally
distort curtains, of any style and fabric, so that they gape in the middle
(where the tie-backs sit) when the curtains are closed.
This is due to the nature of some fabrics and can be
influenced by environmental conditions. This is not a flaw, it is not
predictable and cannot be corrected once it has happened.
Curtains for Kids cannot accept any responsibility or liability in the event
of this occurring.
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LININGS
Curtains for Kids offers two curtains linings;
- a deluxe cotton sateen, cream in colour and
- a 3 pass blackout lining, ivory in colour - our most popular lining
Our blackout lining is ivory on both sides, the black
part is sandwiched in the middle so you cannot see it.
We do not recommend unlined curtains. Having made
the decision to fit made-to-measure curtains in your child's room they will
always hang better, last longer and look good for longer if lined. If
you don't need blackout lining, we always recommend cotton sateen linings.
See notes on Track & Pole Positioning if blackout is a priority.
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GUIDANCE FOR MEASURING
The size of your window is not important when
measuring for curtains, what matters is how much wall space you want to
cover; for example, you can have full length curtains on a short window.
Also, made-to-measure curtains do not use the standard sizing system used
for ready-made curtains, every pair is made specifically for you.
Please measure carefully and accurately so that we can make the perfect
curtains for your window.
Please do not send us the measurements of your existing curtains.
The length of your track or pole
Curtain Track - measure the total length from one end to the other,
including returns if there are any.
Tracks with an overlap in the middle - include the length of the overlap.
Curtain Poles - measure the total length, past the brackets, but
excluding the finials.
Valance Tracks/Pelmet Boards - these are longer the curtain tracks. Remember to
include the length of both returns (the piece of track that turns back to
the wall) in your total length.
Confirm method of valance fixing, hooks or velcro.
The finished drop of your curtains
This will vary depending on the header style you have chosen, see below, and
is measured to wherever you want the hem to finish.
40mm Eyelet - measure from the top edge of the pole
Pencil Pleat on a Track - measure from the top edge of the track
Pencil Pleat on a Pole - measure from the bottom of the pole rings
Pinch Pleat - measure from the bottom of the pole rings
Tab Tops (both) - measure from the top edge of the pole
Radiators
If you want your curtains to stop just above the radiator, measure to the
radiator and then deduct 1cm for the finished length.
Full Length Curtains
Measure the length of your curtains to the floor then deduct 1cm for the
finished drop. Please be aware that curtains, of all fabrics and
style, may shrink in cold weather, then settle and drop again when the
warmer weather returns. This is more obvious with full length curtains
and is due to the nature of some fabrics. This is not a flaw, it is not
predictable and cannot be corrected once it has happened.
Curtains for Kids cannot accept any responsibility or liability in the event
of this occurring.
Pinch Pleat Curtains
The width of pinch pleat curtains cannot be adjusted once made so accurate
measuring of your pole length is vital, see above.
40mm Eyelet Curtains
In addition to the 5 pieces of information detailed at the top of the page
we also need to know:
- the diameter of your pole (min 19mm to max 32mm)
- the colour/finish of your pole (we will match the eyelet colour as closely
as possible).
- the projection of your pole i.e. the shortest distance from the wall to
the back (not front) of the pole. This will tell us how many eyelets to fit
and how to space them.
If you are fitting a new pole please do not quote the projection shown on
your packaging, this will be the measurement from the wall to the front of
the pole which we do not want.
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TRACK & POLE POSITIONING
Where you position your track
or pole can dramatically alter the look of your window and is a great way of
improving the proportions of an awkward window. There are no fixed
rules.
How high to fit a track or
pole
The standard position for fitting a track or pole is 15-20cm above the
window recess.
If you have high ceilings with a lot of dead space above the recess a higher
track/pole will fill some of the space. A lot of modern houses have
very wide but short windows, again more height will make them appear more
square and better proportioned.
How long a track or pole do
you need - the most common mistake
Buying a track or pole that is too short is the most common mistake that
people make. The standard 6"/15cm extra at each end is never enough -
if you have a wide window with a lot of fabric in the curtains, there is
nowhere for it to go and if you have a small window you need to keep as much
of the window clear as possible to maximise the light during the day.
You nearly always need a minimum of
20cm at each side of the window, if you are fitting a pole, the 20cm does
not include the finial (curtains don't hang from finials).
If you have a very wide window you will need at 25-30cm at each side, and
possibly more.
if space is tight or the window is very narrow eyelet curtains are the best
option - see above.
When blackout is a priority
Tracks fit closer to the wall than poles and are therefore better at keeping
out the light. To hide the track and improve the look of your window
consider adding a valance - a valance fitted to a pelmet board is much
better at blocking out the light than one fitted to a pelmet track.
If you have a pole fit it at least 20cm above the recess and ensure that it
extends as far as is practical at each side of the recess.
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CARE OF
YOUR CURTAINS
Curtains should never be
washed ! If absolutely necessary they can be dry-cleaned.
Even when dry-cleaned the face fabric and lining can react differently
resulting in puckered or distorted curtains, this can rarely be
satisfactorily corrected.
All that should be required is a regular vacuuming, 3-4 times a year, using
the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Undo the cords on
pencil pleat curtains and straighten out the pleats before vacuuming,
re-pleat when cleaned.
To minimise dragging your
curtains and to guarantee smooth running wipe your tracks and poles with a
duster and spray polish 3-4 times a year.
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