by Made to measure curtains are cut and finished to the exact dimensions of your pole or track, rather than sold in fixed standard lengths. This guide covers the practical decisions that actually affect the result: heading style, fullness, and how to measure correctly, so the curtains hang the way you expect the first time.
Why Made to Measure Beats Off-the-Shelf
Ready-made curtains come in a limited set of standard widths and drops, which rarely matches a window exactly. Made to measure curtains are built to your specific pole or track width and chosen drop, which avoids the gap, pooling, or skimpy coverage that off-the-shelf curtains often produce on anything other than a standard-sized window.
Choosing a Curtain Heading
- Pencil pleat – a versatile, gathered heading suited to most fabrics and both poles and tracks
- Eyelet – metal rings threaded directly onto the pole, giving clean, structured folds; not suitable for tracks
- Pinch pleat / double or triple pleat – tailored, permanently sewn pleats for a more formal, structured look
- Wave heading – even, continuous folds along a specialist track, giving a smooth, modern finish
The heading you choose affects both the finished look and how much fabric width is needed, so it’s worth deciding on this before finalising measurements.
Understanding Fullness
Fullness is the ratio of fabric width to pole or track width, and it’s what gives curtains their folded, gathered look rather than sitting flat. Pencil pleat and pinch pleat headings typically need around 2 to 2.3 times the pole width in fabric, while wave headings usually already build fullness into the specification. More fullness gives a richer, more luxurious look; less fullness gives a flatter, more minimal finish. Most made to measure services calculate the exact fabric needed once you provide the pole or track width, so you don’t need to work out the multiplication yourself.
Measuring the Width
Always measure the pole or track itself, not the window opening. For a pole, measure between the finials (the decorative end caps), excluding the finials themselves. For a track, measure its full usable length. If the pole or track isn’t fitted yet, position it around 15-20cm above the window recess and extend it 15-30cm beyond each side, so the curtains can stack back fully off the glass and let in maximum light when open.
Measuring the Drop
The drop is measured from the correct reference point for your chosen heading down to where you want the curtain to end. For eyelet curtains, measure from the top of the pole. For pencil pleat or pinch pleat on a pole, measure from the underside of the curtain ring. For track-hung curtains, measure from the bottom of the track. Full-length curtains typically finish around 1cm above the floor; sill-length curtains usually end about 10cm below the sill.
Bay Windows Need Extra Care
On a bay window, never measure straight across the opening. Measure along the complete path the pole or track follows, including every bend and angle, since a bay’s actual perimeter is longer than a straight-line measurement across the front. If you’re unsure how the curtain approach differs for a bay specifically, our guide to dressing a bay window with blinds and curtains covers the layout considerations in more detail.
Common Measuring Mistakes
- Measuring the window frame instead of the fitted pole or track
- Forgetting to account for finials when measuring a pole
- Not checking for obstructions — radiators, handles, or deep sills — before confirming the drop
- Taking only one measurement rather than checking width and drop at multiple points
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fit the pole or track before measuring?
It’s strongly recommended. Measuring an already-fitted pole or track gives the most accurate result, since its exact position affects both width and drop.
How much fullness should I choose?
Around 2 to 2.3 times the pole width is standard for most headings, giving a good balance of fold and drape without being excessive.
Can eyelet curtains be used on a track?
No, eyelet curtains are designed to thread directly onto a pole and aren’t compatible with a standard curtain track.
