Curtain rings

Measuring for your Curtains

To measure for your curtains, you should already have your track or curtain pole up in its place. We think it's best when your track extends from the edge of the window by around 15 - 20cm (so you can draw them right back and let the light in). Your pole should sit at least 15cm above the window.

To measure what curtain width you need, measure the total length of your pole; if using a track which overlaps in the middle, then make sure to measure the full length of both tracks.

Choosing the correct curtain length will depend on where you want your curtains to fall, either to sill level, below sill level or all the way to the floor.

For a curtain that falls at the sill, measure from the top of your curtain pole or track to 1cm above the sill level. For a curtain that hangs just below your window sill, measure again from the top of your pole or track down to where you'd like the curtains to fall to. For curtains that are full length to the floor measure from the top of your pole or track to 1cm above the floor.

How to hang loop top curtains

You will need:

  • Curtain Pole & Wall Brackets
  • Secret Linen Store loop top curtains

These curtains are so easy to hang, they almost do it themselves.

Give your curtains a quick iron on a cool temperature before hanging. Lay your curtain (or both if they are going on the same pole) on the floor or bed, thread the loop over your curtain pole, place the pole back up on the brackets and let it hang. You might want to pop a steamer back over your curtains, but otherwise any unwanted creases should fall out over a couple of days. Sit down with a cuppa and admire your lovely new curtains.

How to hang pencil pleat curtains

We've made our pencil pleat curtains with a standard heading tape, stitched across the top. Our heading tape gives you two positions to place your hooks - you simply slide your hooks into the level that works best for you.  Each curtain comes with three strings either side, these will be used to pull your pleats into place.

You will need:

  • Curtain Pole & Wall Brackets
  • Curtain Hooks
  • Curtain Rings
  • Secret Linen Store pencil pleat curtains

Here are a few steps for getting the perfect hang on your pencil pleat curtains.

Measure your window to work out which of the two levels you want to hang your hooks on (the lower option will make your curtains sit higher, the top tape will give you a little more length). Working out how many curtain rings you have, distribute your curtain hooks across the curtains evenly using the tape.

Pull at the strings on one end of each curtain panel until they're gathered to roughly the same width as half your window. Knot your strings together with a knot that you know you'll be able to undo if you want to make them slightly wider or tighter.  Adjust the gather across the width of each curtain panel to ensure it's distributed evenly.  Attach each of your hooks to a curtain ring and tease onto your curtain pole. Carefully fix your pole back into the brackets. Step back with a hot cuppa tea and admire your lovely new curtains. Any creases will fall out in a week or so, or you could use a steamer if you have one to hand.

How to care for your curtains

The great thing about curtains is that they are super easy to care for and very rarely need washing.

Our loop top curtains can be ironed before hanging and can be removed and washed in the machine at 40 degrees as often as the mood strikes. We recommend hanging them on the line or as flat as possible to reduce creases. Easy peasy.

Our blackout pencil pleat curtains need a little more care, so we always recommend taking them along to your local cleaner for a clean. They'll have them back to you in no time looking good as new. If your curtains come back with any creases, these should fall out in a couple of weeks, or a light steam will have them out in a jiffy.

If you choose to wash these at home, we recommend you dry these with no creases on the line or as flat as possible. If you decide to iron these curtains, we recommend simply separating the lining from the feature fabric and whip a cool iron over the front to get them looking tip-top. Please don’t iron the lining as this may damage the blackout fabric.