How to | Hang curtains

The Jane Clayton guide on how to hang our made to measure curtains.

NB: Curtain orders come complete with the correct hooks you will need. These will not be inserted into the curtains so as not to cause any damage whilst being transported.

For tape headed curtains

For tape headed curtains (pencil pleat & gathered curtains)

1. Gather up the heading to the required width to suit your track or pole. Measure the width of pole that your curtain has to cover (for a pair of curtains, each curtain needs to draw across half the pole) then add about 5cm for “ease”, so that there is a little give.

2. Find the loose ends of the gathering strings, which should be on the outside edge of the curtain. Now hold securely with one hand, and start to gather the curtain tape along the strings with the other hand. Work the gathers along the strings a bit at a time, without applying too much pressure.

3. Once you have gathered the curtain to the required width, tie off the strings together with a half bow, so that you can easily undo them again, and then even out the gathers by chasing them along the length of the strings until evenly distributed. Once tied off, wrap into a tidy coil and tuck inside the pocket at the end of the tape.

4. If your gathering tape allows for different hook positions, check which gives the best length by inserting a trial hook and measuring the drop or trying it on the pole/track.

5. Now fit curtain hooks in the tape at each edge of the curtain and then evenly spaced along the tape, about 7 to 10cm apart. Where possible, fit the hooks first and then adjust the number of pole rings/track gliders to suit. If you have a limited number of rings/gliders, make sure that you fit a corresponding number of hooks. Remember to allow for the end stops on a track and returning to the wall (if required).

6. Attach hooks through the eye of the pole rings or to the gliders on the track. 

For hand headed curtains

For hand headed curtains (pinch pleat & goblet pleat)

For hand headed curtains such as pinch pleats and goblet pleats, you will need to insert a pin-hook at each pleat plus an extra pin-hook set about 2 cm from each curtain edge.

1. Measure the distance from the eye of the pole ring/track glider to the required hem position, then make a pencil mark of this same distance from the hem of the curtains. The tops of the pin-hooks need to be at this position.

2. The pin hooks should be very carefully inserted at the centre back of each pleat, such that they catch through the stiff heading buckram. If the pin hooks are just inserted under the pleat stitching, this will not be adequate and may damage the stitching. Warning: Keep your hands clear of the sharp pin.

3. After fixing a couple of pin-hooks, check for length, either by measuring or by attaching the curtain to the pole rings/gliders, and adjust as necessary.

4. In addition to fixing a pin-hook into each pleat, you will need one at the outside (“return”) edge of the curtain and one at the leading edge (the edge that meets the other curtain of the pair, when closed). These pin-hooks should be placed about 2 to 3 cm from the curtain edge and should pin through the buckram without penetrating the fabric on the other side.

5. Attach hooks through the eye of the pole rings, or to the gliders on the track.

For fitting outside the window reveal

For eyelet or tab top curtains

Very little preparation is needed for eyelet or tab top curtains, simply thread the eyelet or tabs onto the pole.

Note that the curtain should be threaded so that the edges of the curtain point towards the window rather than into the room. The outermost eyelet fits to the outside of the bracket, between the bracket and the finial.

For fitting outside the window reveal

Final steps

Our final recommendation is to gently arrange the curtains, ensuring they are neatly stacked, and secure strings or fabric around them at the top, middle, and bottom to maintain their tidy folds. Let them sit for approximately 24 hours before removing the ties.

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