Curtains
High-quality, hand-finished bespoke curtains
At Darn Right we pride ourselves on producing curtains that are made to last and hang beautifully. Our curtains are hand-made with the majority of the process involving hand-stitching. By hand-sewing, while the panels are flat, we can ensure that the curtains run square and true. The layers are carefully locked together to make sure that the curtains have room to breathe but also stand the test of time. Furthermore, we add weights to improve the drape and give them a luxury finish.
No compromise on quality
Unlike curtains made by Darn Right, machined curtains are made using the ‘bag’ method. The result is often askew although the method is significantly quicker. This provides a cheap alternative for people who do not have the budget for hand-made curtains. Panels are made inside out during the bag method which makes it hard to keep the fabric straight.
Perfection takes time
Hand-made window dressings take longer to produce however the finish is exceptional. Therefore investing in quality drapes will not disappoint you. If you have the budget to invest in quality, please get in touch with us to see how we can help!
Do you need a new pole or track?
We will come to your home to measure up and advise on suitable curtains for your windows. Get our advice on the best curtain pole or track for your window. We can also help you to find a new pole or track. Because hand-made curtains are heavy it is important to have a track or pole that can bear the weight.
Any heading type you like, hand-made with love
You can choose from a variety of heading styles, for example, a simple pencil pleat, hand-made pinch pleat, wave or modern eyelet. We create our eyelets by punching permanent metal grommets, rather than using metal-effect plastic header tape, as we feel this gives a more professional finish.
Lining and interlining curtains
A good quality lining is fundamental to ensuring that your new curtains hang well. This is the part of the curtain that bears the brunt of the UV coming in through the window. In our experience, almond is a great colour choice, just off-white so it does not show fading as much as other colour options. That said, you can choose from a variety of shades of lining. There are even dark coloured linings available but these would not be advised on south-facing windows. Occasionally, double-sided curtains are requested!
Drapes can be interlined to add to their thermal performance. We like to use a 260gsm pre-shrunk interlining that is made in the UK. This adds a wonderful weight to the curtains which is a hallmark of quality.
Use a blackout lining in bedrooms and where fading is likely (such as in south-facing bays). Blackout is also popular in TV rooms to stop reflections.
How we make your curtains
Hand-made curtains take time but they produce a far superior finish than quickly and cheaply made machined alternatives. If your budget allows, hand-made curtains are an excellent choice. At Darn Right we use the following method:
- no lines of stitches on the front of the curtains (with the exception of pencil pleats)
- when used, interlining is secured to the face fabric every quarter-width
- the curtain return (edge) is herringbone stitched to secure the fold
- the hem is mitred at the corners and covered curtain weights are added at the edges and seams
- the lining is hand-stitched to the sides of the curtain and daisy chain stitches are applied every half-width between the lining and face to allow some movement
- edge to edge blackout lining can be used if desired
- pinch pleat headings are made by hand
- eyelet and wave headings also have spacing tape added to make them ‘dress’ themselves
- eyelets are metal pressed, not plastic clip-on versions
Curtain FAQs
What heading style should my curtains have?
There are many styles of curtain heading, the most commonly used by our customers are pinch pleat, pencil pleat, wave and eyelet.
Pinch pleat
Pinch pleats are hand-sewn and can be double, triple or euro. Euro pleats are similar to double pleats but the pleat is sewn on the top edge rather than underneath.
Pencil pleat curtains
Pencil pleat curtains have a high-quality header tape sewn into the top of the drape. The curtain is then hung from metal hooks onto gliders or rings. Pencil pleat curtains require a 2.25-2.5x fullness ratio.
Wave curtains
Wave curtains are a modern minimalist option that has a neat stackback when open. Some fabrics are not suitable for waves as the leading edges kick out. To check if the fabric is suitable you can hold it up and if it drapes easily then it is likely to make up well into a wave.
Eyelet curtains
Eyelet curtains at Darn Right are made using a metal grommet that is punched through the top of the curtain to form a permanent eyelet. Darn Right does not use the metal-effect plastic eyelet header tape as it does not yield a professional finish. A fullness ratio of 1.75-2x is used.
Fullness ratios, drops & pattern repeats
What do you mean by fullness ratio?
The fullness ratio is the difference between your pole length and the width of your curtain panels. The ratio applied depends on your header type and how full you want your curtains to look (when they are closed the fabric does not want to be stretched flat but drape nicely in waves). The lower the fullness ratio, the less fabric you have to buy.
How many drops per curtain?
When making drapes, it is normal to talk in terms of the number of drops per curtain. By joining widths of fabric together we make a panel wide enough for your curtains. So each width of fabric is one drop. We can use half drops on the outer edge of the curtains. For example, for a pair of pencil pleat curtains:
- 110-120cm pole requires two single drop curtains
- 165-180cm pole requires two 1.5 drop curtains (3 drops in total)
- 220-245cm pole requires two 2 drop curtains (4 drops in total)
You will be advised whether to round up or down when on the borderline between sizes.
Allowing for pattern repeats
When buying patterned fabric. you are likely to need to purchase more than plain. Confirm the size of the pattern repeat of your chosen fabric with Darn Right we will calculate your fabric requirements for you.
Linings and interlinings
Linings
All curtains require a lining to finish off the back of the drape and protect the face fabric from UV rays. Linings come in a variety of colours and can be coordinated with your face fabric. Almond, cream or white is generally best for window curtains they are in direct sunlight. The lining can also be blackout which is ideal for bedrooms and thinner face fabrics. The blackout lining Darn Right uses is a high-quality soft fabric that drapes well.
Interlinings
Interlining is a layer of material that is sandwiched between the face fabric and lining. It is similar to a blanket and adds significant thermal performance to your finished curtain. The interlining is locked to the back of the face fabric with hand stitches so that they move as one.
What pole or curtain track do I need?
When Darn Right comes for the initial consultation we will advise on the type of rail that would be suitable for your window, or if the current rail can be reused. If the customer chooses to supply and fit their own pole they must ensure that it is sufficiently robust for the weight of the curtains. Alternatively, Darn Right can supply and fit the pole/track.
Eyelet curtains are not suitable for poles that require more than three brackets (ie one each end and one in the centre).
The placement of the end brackets on a pole requires careful consideration and should be clarified with Darn Right prior to fitting. If in doubt, leave it to the experts.
Do you do curtain alterations?
If you have bought some curtains that do not fit, or have moved house and wish to hang them at a new window, contact Darn Right to see if we can help.
Please realise that shop-bought curtains are generally mass-produced and made by machine. This means that the linings and fabric are rarely square. Altering badly made curtains is a time-consuming job and quality will be compromised.
Examples of our work
Browse through some of our recent projects to get an idea of how we could help you. Each project includes a brief outline of the work as well as the fabric and materials used.
