TIPS FOR CHOOSING & BUYING CURTAIN AND BLIND FABRIC

FIVE top tips for choosing and buying curtain fabric and blind fabric.

1.    CONSIDER THE LOCATION

• If the window is in a sunny location, does your curtain fabric or blind fabric need to be thick enough to reduce some of the light?  Would you prefer a lightweightmaterial offering privacy but still allow the light to come through?
• Silk fabric is always a luxurious choice but will rot if exposed to sunlight…always interline and line silk curtains or silk blinds.
• Is the window draughty?  Heavy weight curtain fabrics or blind fabrics help reduce draughts.  Lighter weight materials may still be used but it would be advisable to line and interline them.
• What is the style of the room?  Country home or contemporary? Consider patterns and colour.

2.   CURTAINS OR BLINDS?

• A heavy cotton fabric will hold it’s shape beautifully in a roman blind, whereas a lightweight fabric will appear more floppy and potentially lose shape over time.
• If the material has a pattern consider how it will look on the finished item e.g. if the pattern is large, will you see enough of it in your chosen window dressing?
• Far more fabric is required for making curtains, than roman blinds see 3. below.

3.  THINK ABOUT YOUR BUDGET

• If you are trying to keep your costs down, I would recommend that you buy inexpensive fabric for making curtains but have them lined and interlined for that luxury feel.  A more expensive coordinating fabric can then be used for smaller items e.g. cushions or roman blinds to complete the overall scheme.

4.   MEASURE

• Always measure your windows with a metal rule.
• Measure once, write down the amounts, then measure again to be sure.
• Always check the width of the fabric you are going to buy as these can vary greatly.

Please use this link to see our measuring guides for How to measure for curtains and How to measure for roman blinds.

5.   ALWAYS LOOK AT A FABRIC SAMPLE

• Before you buy your curtain fabric or blind fabric, it is always best to order a fabric sample.  This allow you to see and feel the material before you make a decision to buy.
• If you are buying curtain fabric or blind fabric, hold your fabric sample up to the light in the position you would like it to be. For all soft furnishing fabrics place the fabric sample next to any other colours and patterns that will be used in the room.

At QHAUF IMAN ELEGANT CURTAIN you may buy linen fabric, natural silk fabric and different types of cotton fabric. You may order up to FIVE FREE SAMPLES and we offer expert advice if required.  Why not take a look?

All of our soft furnishing fabrics can be made (by you or me) into beautiful hand sewncurtains, blinds, cushions or most other soft furnishings of your choice.

If you have any tips or comments you would like to add to this blog, I would love to hear from you.

HOW TO INSTALL WINDOW TREATMENTS

Follow these steps for installing your window treatments:

Before You Begin

You will need:

• Metal tape measure (a cloth measuring tape could give you inaccurate readings)
• Pencil and paper (Download our measuring worksheet)
• Level (optional)
• Rod with mounting brackets and hardware
• Drill with either a 3/32-inch bit (for wall studs) or a ¼-inch bit (for drywall)
• Standard screwdriver

1. Select hardware: The type of hardware you purchase is determined by the style of your window coverings; for instance, heavier weight fabrics and longer lengths require heavier rods than lightweight sheers and laces. Many valances require either a double rod or a completely separate rod. Curtain and drapery rods should be at least as wide as your final measured width. If your rod has decorative finials on the ends, the finials should extend beyond the final measured width so they will be visible.
2. Check your measurements and mark: Refer to your worksheet for the correct measurements. Using a metal tape measure, repeat all measurements and make a small pencil mark on the wall indicating the correct width and length. Hold the rod up to the wall using the pencil marks as a guide. Position the mounting brackets on the rod, and use a pencil to mark where the brackets will be screwed into the wall. Be sure that the rod is centered on the window.
3. Drill holes for the bracket screws: Use a 3/32-inch drill bit if the screws will be installed in wall studs; use a ¼-inch drill bit if the screws will be installed into drywall. If you are installing the screws in drywall, you should use the plastic anchors provided with the curtain rod. Once you have drilled the hole in the drywall, insert the plastic anchors all the way into the hole. The screws will then screw into the plastic anchors.
4. Screw in the mounting brackets: Align the screw holes on the mounting brackets with the holes you drilled in the wall. Use a standard screwdriver and screw in the bracket screws. Before you tighten the screws completely, check and make sure that the rod fits correctly into the brackets; then tighten.
5. Hang your window treatments:
   1. For stationary window treatments, you can simply slide the standard rod or decorative pole through the rod pocket of the window treatment. You may want to place a plastic bag over the end of the rod or pole, so the fabric does not snag. Adjust the rod to the correct width and slide the rod onto the mounting brackets. Adjust the fabric so that the panels fall in even folds, and secure the sides with tiebacks or holdbacks, if desired. If you are using clip rings, put the rings on the rod first, then adjust the rod to the appropriate width and slide the rod onto the mounting brackets. Clip the rings to the window treatments, making sure to space the fabric evenly.
   2. To hang moveable window treatments, you will probably use a traverse rod with either hooks or clip rings. If you are using hooks, slide the pointed end of the hook up through the back of the fabric; making sure that the hook stays on the inside of the fabric and does not show in the front. Use one hook for each pleat, or equally space the hooks across the fabric. The hooks should all be the same distance from the top of the fabric—low enough that the fabric covers the traverse rod. Once all of the hooks are in place, place the traverse rod in the “closed” position, so that the plastic grommets in the rod are evenly spaced across the window. Start from one end and place the first and second hooks into the fixed end of the traverse rod. Continue to place the hooks in grommets until all of the hooks are attached.

HOW TO MEASURE

Measuring and installing beautiful window treatments will be a breeze with our easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.

Before You Begin

You will need:

• Metal tape measure (a cloth measuring tape could give you inaccurate readings)
• Pencil and paper (Download our measuring worksheet)
• Level (optional)

Measuring

For curtains & drapes:

1. Window treatments are always measured width by length, and the width is always stated first. The length is always measured from the top of the rod pocket to the bottom of the panel (the “header” fabric above the rod pocket is not included in the length.) Valances also are measured width for length, and generally take up the top one-quarter to one-third of the window.
2. Measuring for an outside mount: Generally for an outside mount, window hardware is mounted one to three inches above the top edge of the window frame. Measure horizontally from the outside edge of one side of the window molding to the outside edge of the other side (A). Measure in three places: at the top, middle and bottom of the window, rounding your measurement to the nearest 1/8-inch. Take the widest of these measurements as your window width measurement.
3. An important note about fullness: Make sure to purchase enough curtain or drapery panels to give your window treatments fullness—curtains and draperies should be 1 ½ - 3 times the final measured width. Less fullness will produce a more tailored look, while more fullness will create a richer, more opulent appearance. For example, if your final measured width is 50 inches, you should purchase enough panels to cover between 75 inches and 150 inches in total width (50 x 1.5 = 75; 50 x 3 = 150.) Valances also should be wide enough to give you the desired degree of fullness.
4. If you choose to expose your entire window: Add 6–8" to the actual width of the window to allow enough space when the curtains are completely open in order to “clear” the window.
5. Choose a length: The most common lengths for window coverings are: to the top of the windowsill (C); to just below the windowsill (D), midway between the windowsill and the floor, or to the floor (E). Common lengths for standard curtain or drapery panels are 63 inches, 84 inches, 95 inches, 108 inches and 120 inches. Common lengths for tier curtains (also known as café curtains or kitchen tiers) are 24 inches and 36 inches.

For blinds & shades:

1. Decide if you want an inside or outside mount window treatment. Inside mount refers to window treatments that hang completely inside the window frame. Outside mount refers to window treatments that hang outside of the window frame; the hardware is typically installed one to three inches from the outside edge of the window frame.
2. Measuring for an inside mount: Measure horizontally from the inside edge of one side of the window frame to the inside edge of the opposite side. Measure at the top, middle and bottom of the window, rounding your measurement to the nearest 1/8-inch. Take the narrowest of these measurements as your final width measurement.
3. Once you have the width, measure for the height of the inside mount window treatment. Measure vertically from the inside edge of the top of the window frame to the inside edge at the bottom of the window frame. Measure in three places, at the left, center and right of the window, again, rounding your measurement to the nearest 1/8-inch. Take the longest length as your final length measurement.