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How to Measure for Curtains on a Flat Window
We’ve made measuring for made to measure curtains simple. Follow the relevant guide below to get your perfect fit. If you’re more of a visual learner, scroll down for our YouTube tutorial for a step by step guide. Or if you’d rather we measured up for you, book in a measuring appointment.
You will need:
- a metal tape measure
- a pen or pencil
- a piece of paper
I already have a pole or track...
01. WIDTH
Measure the width of your pole/track between the pole/track ends.
02. HEIGHT
Measure from the bottom of the pole/track to the floor in three places and take the longest measurement. For Eyelet style, measure from the top of the pole to the floor and add 3cm.
03. DESIGN YOUR CURTAINS
Enter your measurements in our online studio, customise your curtains and get a quick quote.
I don't have a pole or track...
01. WIDTH
Measure the width of your window frame. Add 10 - 30 cm of stack-back to each side for every 1m of window frame (check out the table below).
02. HEIGHT
Measure the height from where you would like to install your pole/track to the floor. For Eyelet curtains add 3cm. For ceiling mounted tracks, take off 4cm.
03. DESIGN YOUR CURTAINS
Enter your measurements in our online studio, customise your curtains and get a quick quote.
TOP TIP: How to get the perfect width...
Try to maximise natural light by making sure your curtains clear your windows when they’re open. Different curtain styles need different amounts of space, i.e. some ‘stack back’ into smaller spaces. Use the table below to work out exactly how much you need.
Frequently Asked 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 above 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 here.
Do curtains have seams or joins?
The possible width of a fabric comes from the width of the roll. If your windows are wider than the fabric width then it is necessary to have a vertical join to cover the entire window. The way curtains have pleats and hang means seams are usually less noticeable and hidden in folds of the fabric. In most cases, curtains are a better option for wider windows.
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.