Custom Curtains Buying Guide

1. WHICH CURTAIN HEADING SHOULD I CHOOSE?

The heading is the top of your curtain. This is an important choice, since it will determine the style of your curtain but also its installation. You will find below the different options and their characteristics.

Grommets

The grommet is the most contemporary and practical finish. It consists of brass rings (stainless steel) with an inner diameter of 1.6" (4 cm). Our grommets are available in 3 very trendy matte colors:

  • Gunmetal
Oeillet canon de fusil

  • Black
Oeillet noir

  • Silver


  • Gold
Oeillet doré



Pencil Pleat

This finish consists of a thick fabric tape sewn at the top of the curtain, with strings threaded through it, allowing the curtain to be gathered. This tape is 2.7" (7cm) high. Then we position hooks (supplied) to hang the curtain on a track or a curtain rod with special rings.
 

Galon fronceur


To install your pencil pleat curtain, please watch our video tutorial:




Rod Pocket

This finish consists of a pocket hem sewn across the top of the curtain in which a rod can slip through. The curtain rod is hidden. Our rod pocket is 1.18" (3cm) wide, the diameter of your rod must be smaller.

We do not recommend this heading type when it comes to large widths and heavy curtains (soundproof).

Passe tringle

To install your rod pocket curtain, please watch our video tutorial:




Pinch Pleat

The pinch pleat is a more formal and elegant finish. The head of the curtain has single folds at regular intervals (4" - 10 cm). The hooks are supplied and sewn on the curtain.

Passe tringle



Hooks (for linings only)

The hooks allow you to easily attach a lining to the back of a curtain whether with pencil pleat or grommets.

Passe tringle

To install your lining, please check our photo tutorial:

With a pencil pleat curtain

Galons fronceurs

1 - Take down your pencil pleat curtain
2 - Gather the lining to match the width of your curtain
3 - Insert the hook into the heading tape of the lining
4 - Insert the hook into the heading tape of the curtain
5 - Snap the hook closed
6 - Repeat the previous three steps for the whole width of the lining
7 - Hang your curtain



With a grommet curtain

Oeillets



What about the curtain rod?

Important: Rods/tracks are not supplied or sold on our website. If you are not already equipped, you will first have to determine the heading type of your curtain in order to make the right choice.

For an aesthetic result and when possible, your rod must be fixed at least 6" (15cm) above your window, and extend approximately 8" (20cm) beyond on each side.

We also draw your attention to the weight of a made-to-measure product, which can be significant if you order a soundproof curtain and/or a large width. Your rod will have to be securely fixed to the wall or ceiling. A central support may be required for very large widths.

For GROMMETS or ROD POCKET

The INNER diameter of your rod should not exceed 1.2" (3cm). Plan to leave a space of at least 0.9" (2.5 cm) between the top of the rod and your ceiling, to match the fabric above the grommet.

eyelets measure



For PENCIL PLEAT or PINCH PLEAT

You can choose a track or a curtain rod with special rings, see below:

Galon tringle

2. HOW TO DEFINE THE WIDTH?

In order to be as precise as possible, please choose your rod/track and install it before proceeding to this step.
To obtain the width you should enter, simply measure the width of your rod excluding decorative ends.
For a lining, please stretch and measure edge to edge the bottom of the curtain to which it will be attached.


IMPORTANT:


For all products except linings, the width you enter is the width of your curtain rod/track. We calculate the final width of the curtain for you using a coefficient (see calculation examples below). It is standard industry practice, so that when you hang your curtain, it has regular pleats/waves.

The curtain received, laid flat, will be wider than the width of the curtain rod you entered when you placed your order. Once hung, and thus pleated, it will match the width of your rod/track and will perfectly cover your window. 

NB: regarding the heading type Pinch Pleat: the width of the curtain will be measured from the first pleat (hook) to the last one.



Calculation examples

Number of panels for your curtain rod: 1

You will receive one curtain panel to cover a single rod.

Heading Coefficient Rod width Width of the curtain panel flat
Grommets x 1.5 36" (91 cm) 54" (137 cm)
Pencil pleat x 2 36" (91 cm) 72" (183 cm)
Rod pocket x 1.2 36" (91 cm) 43.2" (109 cm)
Hooks (lining) x1 36" (91 cm) 36" (91 cm)


Pinch Pleat : once the pleats are sewn, the width of the curtain panel is identical to the width of your curtain rod. For a 36" wide curtain rod, you receive a curtain panel that measures 36" wide (from the first hook to the last hook).

Number of panels for your curtain rod: 2

You will receive two curtain panels, together they will cover a single rod.

Heading Coefficient Rod width Width of each curtain panel flat
Grommets x 1.5 36" (91 cm) 27" (68.5 cm)
Pencil pleats x 2 36" (91 cm) 36" (91.5 cm)
Rod pocket x 1.2 36" (91 cm) 21.6" (55 cm)


Pinch Pleat: once the pleats are sewn, for a 36" wide curtain rod, you will receive 2 curtain panels to cover the whole width, they will each measure 18" wide (from the first hook to the last hook).

Maximum width

For technical manufacturing reasons, there is a maximum width authorized for each heading type.

  • Grommet max. width: 118" (300cm)
  • Pencil pleat max. width: 98" (250cm)
  • Rod pocket max. width: 79" (200cm)
  • Pinch pleat max. width: 118" (300cm)
  • Hooks (lining) max. width: 197" (500cm)


Specific cases

1. « I want a pencil pleat curtain with a flat rendering, what should I do?»

If you select pencil pleat but want a flat curtain, divide the width of your curtain rod by 2.

EXAMPLE: If your rod is 39" (99cm) wide, your made-to-measure curtain with pencil pleat will be 78“ (198cm) wide because a coefficient applies (see above).

For a flat rendering:

  • divide your curtain rod by 2 and enter a curtain rod width of 19.5" (49,5 cm),
  • your made-to-measure curtain will then be 39" (99 cm) wide,
  • you will not have to gather your curtain, it will be hung flat.

NB: For better soundproofing, we advise you to choose a curtain with pleats.



2. « My curtain rod is wider than the maximum authorized width, what should I do? »

If the width of your rod is larger than the maximum authorized width, you will have to divide your width by 2, in order to make 2 curtains instead of a single, very large one.

EXAMPLE: You want a curtain with grommets (max. width 118") but your curtain rod is 158" (400 cm) wide. You will have to:

  • divide the width of your curtain rod by 2 and enter a curtain rod width of 79" (200cm),
  • select "1 panel for your curtain rod" (step 3: Number of curtain panels for this rod),
  • add the product to your shopping cart,
  • modify the quantity using the arrow to order it twice.

You will receive two identical custom curtains. Hung together they will cover your 158" (400 cm) wide curtain rod.



3. HOW TO DEFINE THE HEIGHT?

In order to be as precise as possible, please choose your rod/track and install it before proceeding to this step.

The height you enter is the total length of the product you will receive, from the top edge to the bottom edge. The curtain should cover the entire window and ideally, when possible, fall to the floor.

  • For a curtain: Please measure the distance between the top of the rod/track and the floor. For all curtains with grommets and for room divider curtains with rod pocket, do not forget to add 0.9" (2.5cm) (distance between the top of the grommet/rod pocket and the upper edge of the curtain).
  • For a lining: Please place your tape measure under the head of your curtain and measure to the bottom edge of the curtain.

Which floor-length effect should I choose?

If you order a custom curtain that falls to the floor, several options are available, you can then define the height of your curtain:

  • Hovering: leave a 0.39"or 0.78" (1-2 cm) space between the bottom edge and the floor. This is the most practical length, especially in a living room or if you have pets. You curtain will stay clean longer.
  • Brushing: the curtain brushes the floor, a simple and common choice that will complement any decor.
  • Puddling: the curtain is longer by 1.9" (5cm) maximum for a more modern and dressy look. It will accentuates the height of your room.
  • Invisible hem: For a perfect finish, the bottom hem of your curtain will be sewn with an invisible stitch.

4. HOW MANY CURTAIN PANELS FOR MY ROD?

You can choose to divide your custom curtain into 1 or 2 panels to cover your curtain rod:

One panel for my curtain rod

Great choice for small curtain rod widths or if your window is in the corner of the room. The curtain folds up on the left or right side, and can be held with a tieback (not supplied).

rideau sur mesure sur tringle


Two panels for my curtain rod

Recommended for large curtain rod widths and if you have space on either side of your window, for a symmetrical and elegant look.
Our soundproof curtains being heavy, we recommend that you choose 2 panels to cover a curtain rod wider than 59" (150 cm) to distribute the weight.

2 rideaux sur mesure par tringle


Stitching between widths

As the width of any fabric roll is limited, to make wide curtains, we need to sew several widths together. This is why, for curtains that require a fabric consumption of more than 55" (140 cm) wide, there will be a discreet seam.

Rest assured that it will be hidden in the folds of the curtain, more or less depending on the heading type you will choose and its coefficient.

couture inter lés

For linings: they are only available in 1 panel. If you have several curtains, you will have to make a lining (1 panel) per curtain.