Classic Pencil Pleats

Pro's:
The only option suitable for curtain tracks.
Finished width can be adjusted (within reason).

Pinch Pleats

A sophisticated, hand made, heading style.
Pro's:
Ideal for period properties.
Neater stack-back than pencil pleats.
Great for a valance over pencil pleat curtains.
Con's:
Curtain width cannot be adjusted once made.
Only suitable for use with poles, not tracks.

Plain Tab Tops
Pro's:
Require less fabric than pencil or pinch pleats.  Our standard tabs are 10cm long.
Con's:
Difficult to open/close, especially for children.
Require a lot of stack-back space.
Less durable than other heading styles. Really only suitable for lightweight 'floaty' curtains such as voiles, not blackout-lined main curtains.    We do not recommend tab curtains for children.

Buttoned Tab Tops

A smarter version of the classic tab top.

Buttons can be in a co-ordinating or contrast fabric (if available).

Pro's & Con's - as above

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 top 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
Girl Time - 'Apple' for the curtains with 'Strawberry Tart' 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 linings options;
- a deluxe cotton sateen, cream in colour  
- 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. 

INTERLINING is also an option for eyelet and pinch pleat curtains. 
Interlining is excellent for keeping out the draughts from single glazed windows and gives any curtain a wonderful luxurious look and feel.

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 (not pole)
Pinch Pleat - measure from the bottom of the pole rings (not pole)
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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