Are made to measure curtains worth it compared with ready made curtains?
Updated
Made to measure curtains are cut and sewn for one window, so the width, drop, heading and lining all fit it. Ready made curtains come in set sizes. Made to measure usually costs more and takes longer, but it gives a better fit, more choice and a cleaner finish.
Ready made curtains are sewn in standard sizes and sold off the shelf. Made to measure curtains, also called made to order or custom made, are made for one window after it has been measured. Both can look good. The difference is how well the curtain fits and how many choices you have.
What made to measure gives you
- Fit. The width and drop are made for your window and your track, so the curtain meets the floor clearance you want.
- Choice. You pick the fabric, heading and lining, and the track can be matched to the curtain.
- Finish. Hems, joins and weights are set for the fabric and the drop.
- Special windows. Tall windows, wide windows, bays and corners can be catered for.
What ready made gives you
- Speed. The curtain is already made.
- A lower starting cost in most cases.
- A simple choice when the window is a standard size and the look is not critical.
The trade offs
| Made to measure | Ready made | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Made for the window | Standard sizes, may need hemming |
| Choice | Wide range of fabrics, headings and linings | Limited range |
| Time | Made after the order, so it takes longer | Available straight away |
| Cost | Usually higher | Usually lower |
| Installation | Retailer measures and often installs | You hang it yourself |
A made to order curtain is made for one window, so the measure and the details are settled before it is cut. Ask your retailer how they handle changes and any problem with the finished curtain.
When made to measure is worth it
Made to measure is most worth it where the fit and the finish are visible and matter every day: living areas, wide or tall windows, and rooms where light control or the look of the curtain is important. Ready made can be enough for a small window, a spare room or a short term home.
A made to measure curtain also lets you plan the whole window at once. The track, the heading and the lining are chosen together, so they work with each other. On Wave Fold and S Fold, the heading tape and the runner spacing in the track set the fullness. With ready made curtains you fit your window around what is on offer, and the track or rod you already have may limit the heading.
Ask your curtain retailer to explain the differences for your window, and to show you samples hung. Speedy Blinds makes made to measure curtains, tracks and roller blinds for retailers.
Other ways people ask this
Are custom curtains better than ready made?
They fit the window and offer more choice. Whether that is worth it depends on the window and how much the fit matters to you.
Why are made to measure curtains more expensive?
Each one is cut, sewn and checked for one window, and the choices are wider.
Can ready made curtains be altered to fit?
Often the length can be shortened, but the width, fullness and heading are set.
What does made to order mean?
The curtain is made after the order is placed, for one window.
This answer is general information. For your own windows, your retailer's advice and your order with them come first.