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How To Measure For Curtains + Blinds
Measuring for made to measure curtains and made to measure blinds is easy with our super simple step-by-step guides below. Take a look at our measuring guides for both flat windows and bay windows. We also have helpful video guides on how to measure and install your curtains and blinds.
If you’d prefer a pro to come round and measure up for you, you can book our in-home measuring service! Check if we’re in your area.
Measure Up
Get ready for some curtain and blind measuring! Before you begin, make sure you have a measuring tape and a pen or pencil at the ready. We have individual step-by-step guides and videos to help you measure up your windows for your made to measure curtains and blinds. Got a tricky window? Take a look at our FAQs below or get in touch. If you’d prefer us to come round and measure up for you, book an in-home measuring.
How to Measure for Curtains
How to Measure for Blinds
Frequently Asked Questions
Let us answer your most common questions…
How wide should my curtains be?
You want to make sure that when your curtains are open they don’t block your windows so that you can maximise natural light into your room. Each curtain heading type stacks back differently, as each heading uses different amounts of fabric. To make sure your curtains don’t block your window when open, you need to add a few centimetres to the width of your window measurement -
Eyelet / Wave - Add 30cm per 1m of window frame
Pencil / Double Pleat / Triple Pleat - Add 40cm per 1m of window frame
Cartridge / Goblet - Add 60cm per 1m of window frame
Check out our table below or feel free to get in touch with our friendly customer team who will be happy to help if you have any questions - hello@stitched.co.uk / 0330 808 1787
Should my curtains touch the floor?
It’s up to you! Having short or long curtains is a style preference. If you opt for long curtains, we have three different types of pooling (sometimes called puddling) which determines the amount of fabric that gathers on the floor. See inspiration and more information in our pooling guide.
Are your products child safe?
Yes, all our products are made to UK legislation. We have more information on child safety.
How do I measure with a curtain pole?
Measuring your window when you have a curtain pole already installed is really simple. Take a look at our measuring guide here.
How do I measure for eyelet curtains?
Measure from the top of your pole to the floor and add 3cm. Remember, your pole must be less than 3cm in diameter for the eyelets to fit!
What is the installation height?
Installation height is the measurement from where you want to install your blind, to the floor, and is used to calculate control chain length.
The chain will not be made at the full measurement that you give (chains don’t go all the way to the floor): the IH measurement is used to calculate a chain length that is convenient to use, and meets important Child Safety legislations.
This measurement does not affect the size of the fabric panel-just the control chain.
How do I measure blinds for sash windows?
You can easily measure a sash window using our flat window measuring guide. As sash windows tend to be in older frames, the width of the windows can often vary so it is really important to take the width measurement from both the top, middle and bottom and use the narrowest measurement. This ensures the blind doesn’t catch.
How do I measure for blinds for french doors?
Most French doors are installed in a recess, so you can measure (i) the width in 3 places and take the narrowest measurement; and (ii) the height in 3 places and take the longest measurement. If the door opens inwards, you will need to make sure that there is enough space above the door to install the blinds (+8cm for a roller blind, +30cm for a roman blind). If there isn’t enough space above the window, you will need to install the blinds onto the door directly. If you’re struggling with your french doors, give our team of pros a call.
How to measure for made to measure curtains?
For a flat window, you’ll need the width in between the pole ends (if the pole is installed) or the width of the window frame, plus 10-30 cm of stack-back for every 1m of window frame. Then you’ll need the height from where the pole is or will be, to the floor. The best thing about measuring for made to measure curtains is that when they arrive, the curtains will fit the window perfectly. This makes your home more energy efficient and warmer in the winter months.
How long do made to measure curtains take?
Our made-to-measure curtains are hand stitched to your bespoke requirements, every detail finished by hand in local workshops up and down the country. Behind the scenes, our team works hard on design details, from fabrics, and headings, to more bespoke requests. Our lead times are specific for each project, to make sure our sewistas have time to cut, pin and sew to the highest quality and finish. The number of windows in a project can also impact lead times, it takes time to hand-stitch quality window apparel. If you have any questions on projects or lead times, get in touch with our team hello@stitched.co.uk.
