Curtains: Custom or Tailor?

9 years ago

My wife and I were looking at curtains and noticed they sell in either 96" or 84". Unfortunately, neither size really works. Our windows are pretty standard seeming for our ranch home at ~83" off floor at the top of the frame. The 84" will only work if we either go further from the ground or not much beyond the window frame.

Ideally, we'd like to stay within an inch off the floor and 2" off our molding (it's simply/small molding, only 2" at most). Our ceilings are shy of 8' (I think 7'10") so the next size up, 96" will be way too large.

Should we get curtains we like (i.e. we did find some from West Elm we like) and get them hemmed? Or is there options at any places to get custom curtains? Curtains often seem to be 48" width but our windows are only 24" (maybe 30"? Not sure) so is two 48" curtains too much? I suspect we will want to have the rod installed a bit wider than the window though... so it might end up being 48" to of space the curtains cover and then having the length of the panels by 2x makes more sense.

Any advice is appreciated.

Oh and one last thing. We have a window between 2 closets with less than a foot to each side of the window. There is a dresser in front of this window too. I feel like curtains here is too much. What's another option that blocks out light and looks better than the standard white blinds? And should we ensure the other window gets the same to match (but the other window in this room we want curtains too)?

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Comments (9)

deeinohio
9 years ago

Try Village Drapes. I've ordered from them many times. The last time with Matka silk drapes, lined, and flannel interlined. They added covered buttons for me to match an inspiration photo.Village Drapes
torreykm
9 years ago
If custom is not in your budget, get the 96" and have them hemmed. Our workroom standard is to hang 1/2" off of the floor. I have 8' ceilings in my house and my drapes are hung about 8" above the window (there is no trim). My window is 35"w and the rod is 46" w, excluding finials. And no, 2 curtains are not too much.
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Gooster
9 years ago
There are plenty of sources for custom draperies, but many can get quite expensive, including stores and designers. There are also a number of online providers

I've used VillageDrapes many times before with great success. Their prices are very good relative to what you are getting, but will be more than West Elm. Their main downsides are they only do drapes, use certain fabrics and they are what I call semi-custom -- exact lengths but only 1/2 width (12" per panel) increments. (They are on vacation right now, btw -- I was about to place a sample order and decided to pause).

For the short window you can do a flat Roman shade in the same fabric or a coordinating fabric.
Sueb20
9 years ago
We have a similar problem in our house. I bought Pottery Barn curtains and had a good seamstress hem them. Much less $$ than having custom drapes made!
jdgail
9 years ago
Hang rods close to the ceiling and buy 96" then hem. Also hang bracket about 6" wider than window trim so curtains won't block your light when open. Buy an extra panel and have a roman shade made out of it.
lauraalarid2002
9 years ago
There are people on Etsy who will make you drapes. Prices are reasonable.
User
9 years ago
Haven't read the majority of the replies, but was going to suggest Etsy as well. OR, you could do what I did. I bought 96's and had them professionally hemmed. It was not money I really wanted to spend, but it took me forever to find "the one's" and so it was worth it to me. I believe it ran about 20.00 / panel.
Sunnysmom
9 years ago
I really like Ikea curtains. I wash them before having the hemmed. Great value.
teeda
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I had a similar issue with a boxed bay window. I needed the curtains to be 86". I ordered lined rod pocket curtains from Country Curtain. They have a very generous header, which is also lined. I unstitched the header, and refolded to add another two inches. Pressed them and stitched back up. There was enough leeway in the header that I could have increased the length of the curtains as much as 4". Easier than dealing with them hems, I think.