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CURTAINS AND FABRIC

Harlequin Salinas

TO VIEW OUR RANGE OF CURTAINS CALL 0800 889 673

All types of curtains for your home

Need curtains, but not sure where to start? Book your free consultation today, to discuss all your options.

I pride myself on making your curtain purchasing experiences as pleasurable as possible. To help you make an informed decision here are some of the important factors to take into consideration when getting a quote for your curtains.

The fullness or amount fabric used makes a difference between a curtain looking full and luxurious or skimped and lifeless we allow 100% fullness in our quotes unless otherwise specified.

The tape or heading gives you the overall style of the curtain and the look you will want to achieve. 

We can show you the latest styles and types of headings for your curtains. 

The lining is your curtains main protector from the sun and provides insulation for your room. I use a high-quality blackout lining that provides both of these features vital for protecting fabrics from fading, insulating, improving acoustics and offer blackout properties. Plus they increase the longevity of the main fabric as well as making the curtains hang well and give them substance.  

Another way you may like to make your home even warmer is to use a bumph between the curtain and lining. This acts as an extra trap for the warm.

Our curtain services include

  • Free measure and quote for all types of curtains
  • Fully lined curtains
  • Curtains with bumph interlining
  • Blackout Curtains
  • Dimout / Triple Weave Curtains
  • Sheer / Net Curtains
  • Shower Curtains
  • Curtain Fabric
  • Our own bespoke local sewing room
  • Installation service

Frequently Asked Questions About Curtains

How to choose curtains for your home
How to measure curtains
Measuring Checklist
Calculating Fabric Quantities

How to choose curtains for your home

Main curtains

Curtains have the ability to transform a space. They soften the hard lines of a room, provide warmth, privacy and light filtration.

Whatever fabric and style you choose, curtains can add the finishing touch to a room by working with the furnishings. To help the decision-making process I have put together six tips to get you on your way: 

  1.       Window Size– Not all windows are created equal.  Some windows lend themselves to the floor to ceiling curtains.  Others may be small, narrow or in an awkward space, and perhaps a blind might be more suitable.  Consider what type of window you working with and then make a choice on a window treatment for curtains or blinds. 
  2.       Style– Formal or informal?  The style of your home will help inform this decision.  A traditional home with a very high stud and ornamental features might suit voluminous velvet curtains that puddle on the floor while a more contemporary home might suit a more simplistic style, with less volume that sit just to the floor.  The selection of ‘headings” that you choose (of which there are several options available), will also create a certain aesthetic.  Either way, it works best if you keep the style of your curtain consistent from room to room. 
  3.       Function– What is the role of the curtain in the space?  Is it a bedroom that requires full blockout for sleeping, is it a TV room where sunlight needs to be filtered or is it a lounge room that you like to keep warm? Each room in your home will have different requirements depending on who and what the room is being used for. Think about children and pets and the role they play in the house too with durability, easy-clean properties being a priority in the fabric choice.
  4.       Position– Depending on where you are located in the world, the harsh sun can cause damage to curtains. Edges of curtains that face the window can become sun damaged that can cause the fabric to disintegrate. Choosing a fabric that has a good UV protection rating will help reduce this problem as well as ensuring you stack back your curtains as much as possible, so they sit off the window. Alternatively, you might like to use a sheer fabric that lets light and filters the rays at the same time.  
  5.       Lining– Did you know that professionally fitted, lined drapery can reduce window heat loss by 40-60% when closed. Working all year round, lined drapery is an important tool in creating a thermal insulation barrier. 
  6.       Budget– We all have a level of investment we are prepared to pay for our home furnishings. There is a range of fabric options available in a variety of price points. 

I  also have a competitive range of end of run designer fabrics that we can make into curtains just for you.

How to measure curtains

Sketch of window

Step 1 – Measure the width (horizontal) first; allowing where possible 2-300mm each size of the window for curtains or 150mm per width of fabric to allow the curtains to be pulled off the window to allow in more light.

Step 2 – Measure the length (or drop). First, you need to decide how long you want the curtains to be. To measure the length, you need to measure from the top of the track or architrave to the required length. Measure both sides of the window and if the floor is uneven, take the longer length.

  • Typical lengths are: just above the floor (measure to the floor then minus 10mm) 
  • Puddling on the floor 300mm longer than to floor-length so the material puddles on the floor.
  • When measuring a whole house always start at the entrance and work around the building in an anti-clockwise direction.
  • Then measure the drop (vertical) from where the track will be hung to the completed curtain will finish.
  • When measuring for a bent track take all the measurements including the inside and outside bends use an angle devisor to ensure you have the right degree of the angle draw the track shape on your measure sheet including the stack back at either side.
  • Note down how many curtains you want on each window and which way they are to stack

Measuring Checklist

    • Is the window square with floor and ceiling?
    • Is the floor level?
    • Do you need the tracks to sit out from the wall to allow drapes to draw over the window sills?
    • How many curtains on each window and which way will they stack?
    • What type of tracks are they hand or cord drawn?
    • Are you covering light switches (and does it matter)?
    • Does art or furniture need shifting? 
    • Do doors open inside or out? Could they cause you a problem?
    • Are heat pumps or alarm monitors going to get in the way? 
    • Are window seats going to be added to bay windows?

Calculating Fabric Quantities

How much fullness do you want: – double the curtain track width is usual but depending on what type of heading you want means you could bring this figure down.

How wide is the fabric: – with wider fabrics (1400mm, 1500mm or 3000mm) you will need fewer drops than with a narrow fabric.  If the fabric is 2800mm or 3000mm wide all you have to do is double your track and that gives you the amount of fabric you need.

To work out how many drops you need, take your track width and multiply it by 2 or your desired fullness.  Divide this by the width of your fabric.  Round this number up to the nearest whole number and that gives you the ideal number of drops for your window.

e.g. The track width is 2000mm. The fabric width is 1400mm, and you want 2 times the fullness. 2000mm x 2 = 4000mm 

Then   4000mm divided by 1400mm = 2.850    which rounds up to 3 drops

Take the required length and add 300mm for hems and heading (add 200mm if you want gathered curtains).   Multiply that amount by the number of your drops – and that gives you the amount of fabric you need – for plain fabrics. Using lining, do the same calculation to find out how much you need.

Curtains - Harlequin Salinas - Boka
Curtains - Harlequin Salinas - Boka

Types Of Curtain Lining

There are several different types of lining which can be chosen based on your requirements.

Thermal Curtains

One layer (1 Pass) of a coated acrylic suede compound is known as thermal lining. It offers the advantages of insulation and energy savings, helping to keep rooms’ warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It is important to understand that a certain amount of light will pass into the room with this construction. As with all quality linings, thermal lining not only protects soft furnishings from fading, they are also treated to resist mildew and enables good drapability.

The manufacturing process of a thermal lining involves a thermal coating being applied directly to the reverse side of the fabric to reduce the amount of harmful ultraviolet light passing through the fabric, whilst increasing the insulation.

Blackout or Block Out Curtains

Three layers (3 Pass) of a coated acrylic suede compound is known as ‘blackout’ thermal lining. This process offers the same benefits of thermal lining but also totally eliminates light penetration. Blackout lining naturally minimizes the risk of natural flaws in the fabric from showing through. It also adds body to the fabric and provides a good stable base for roman blinds. Installing a good quality lining behind your curtains, such as a blackout lining will not only provide insulation from heat and cold and block out all light for restful sleep, but it will help to protect your curtains from sun damage over time.

Dimout / Triple Weave Curtains

Unlike coated linings, a dimout lining is a woven construction which allows a small amount of light to pass through – hence the name ‘dimout’ as opposed to ‘blackout’. It is a popular lining in both commercial and residential applications due to its affordability, washability and noise reduction properties. It has a soft, thick handle which adds fullness to a lightweight fabric such as silk and taffeta.

Interlining / Bumph Curtains

Interlining adds body and fullness to lightweight fabrics such as silk and taffeta. Its composition is typically either a blend of polyester/viscose/cotton or 100% napped cotton. Interlining also improves insulation and acoustic properties of a room through noise reduction and provides extra protection from harmful UV rays.

Sheer / Net Curtains

These have two main features they offer privacy and protection from sunlight.  They often have a lead weight in the hem to help the fabric hang well and give a finished look. Be aware that the shelf life for sheers is a lot less (about 5 years) than other fabrics because of their composition.

Shower Curtains

If you are finding it hard to find just the right size shower curtains why not get once made. I have a large range of fabrics suitable for shower curtains in colours and patterns to suit every decor.

Harlequin - Salinas- Coppice

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Our Services

  • Curtains and Fabric
  • Curtain Tracks
  • Blinds
  • Wallpaper
  • Upholstery Fabric

Why Choose Deborah Still Design For Curtains?

Custom Made

Custom Made – A perfect fit for your window every time.

Exceptional Quality

My private workroom takes time and care over each stage of the curtain making process, assuring that your curtains will look the best for years to come.

Hassle Free

I also provide a comprehensive installing service.

Written Quotes

I always provide a written quote including quantities so that you can easily compare apples with apples.

Your New Curtains

Are one click away. 

Get started on your project.

Email

info@deborahstilldesign.co.nz

Phone

03 688 9673 / 0800 889 673

Address

18 Matilda St, Seaview, Timaru 7910 – (By Appointment only)
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