Curtains Made to Measure

A curtain stands and falls with its fall. The fall comes from the weight of the fabric, the depth of the pleats and the finish at the hem — not from decoration.

We plan the pleat depth according to fabric and window width. Belgian linen carries calm, widely set pleats. Velvet needs depth so that the pile breaks and the room grows quieter. Voile falls lightly and needs fullness so that the panel does not look sparse.

At the head of the curtain we work with pleating tape, loops or a quiet wave for gliding tracks — depending on how open or closed the window stands in everyday life. What we mean by fall is explained by the term curtain fall in our glossary.

The lower finish of a curtain at La Couverta is sewn by hand as a hemstitch. The stitch lies loosely in the hem allowance and cannot be seen from the front; the panel hangs straight and without tension.

Into the hem we lay a lead-weighted tape. It weights the panel evenly across the whole width and gives the fabric the vertical line that a machine-sewn hem rarely holds. More under hemstitch.

Side hems we turn twice, so that the selvedge is protected and the panel keeps its shape even after years of use.

Belgian linen is our most-sewn curtain fabric: light-permeable, full-bodied, with a lively surface. It creases quietly and looks better on the second day than on the first.

Silk falls heavy and still. Because it is sensitive to light, we always sew silk curtains with a lining.

Voile is translucent and keeps the gaze from outside away without taking the daylight. Velvet from Venetian weaving darkens, dampens sound and carries floor-length pleats.

From heavy velvet and acoustic fabrics we also make curtains that order rooms: as movable room dividers and for home cinemas, where the panel absorbs sound and holds light. On request an acoustician takes the room measurements — the making of the curtains stays in the atelier. More on this on our page for acoustic curtains made to measure.

For bedrooms we combine both layers: voile for the day, a lined curtain with molton for the night. Above the bed, a made-to-measure bed canopy completes the room — made to be removable, from the same fabric as the curtain if wished. We describe the origin and care of all fabrics on the Materials page.

Every window is measured by us in person. We take radiators, window sills, reveals and the run of the track into account before a fabric is ordered. Our glossary explains the term measuring.

The installation of the tracks and the hanging of the finished curtains are carried out together with our partner workshops. This way, fixing and statics remain in checked hands, while fabric, cut and seam come from our atelier.

The full path from the first conversation to the final fitting on site is described on the Process page.

Write to us about which rooms you would like to change and how the light stands in them. We reply personally within one working day and arrange a first meeting — at the atelier in Hamburg or at your window.

The lead time after measuring and fabric decision is usually six to ten weeks.

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