How to Measure for Café
Made for your window. Exactly.
Every curtain we make is cut and finished to your measurements - your width, your drop, your window. That's what makes them look right in a way that ready-made curtains simply can't.
It also means that once we've cut your fabric, we can't undo it. Made to measure orders cannot be returned or exchanged - not because we're inflexible, but because a curtain cut to your kitchen window isn't much use to anyone else. So it's worth taking a few minutes to get the measurements right before you confirm.
We promise it's simpler than it sounds.
What you'll need
A metal tape measure - not a fabric one, not a ruler. Metal gives you an accurate, straight measurement that doesn't bow or stretch. Some prefer a notepad and a pen rather than a phone to jot down measurements, it only takes a couple of minutes.
If you can, fit your café rod before you measure. It makes everything more accurate and means you're measuring for the curtain you're actually going to hang.
Step one - finding your midpoint
This is the most important decision you'll make before you measure, and it's one that's unique to café curtains. Where you position the top of your curtain changes the entire feel of the window - so it's worth thinking about before you get the tape out.
A few things to consider:
Sash windows Line the top of your curtain up with the meeting rail - the horizontal bar where the two sashes meet. It's a natural architectural feature and the curtain will look like it was designed for the window rather than placed on it.
Windows with glazing bars or cross bars Consider taking your drop to align with one of those horizontal lines. It gives the window a considered, finished appearance that a midpoint chosen at random rarely achieves.
Standard kitchen or utility windows The halfway point of the glass is usually a good starting point - it gives privacy at sink or worktop level while keeping the light and sky visible above. But trust your eye. Hold a piece of paper or fabric up at different heights before you commit to a measurement.
Windows that open Think about where the handle, latch or crank sits. Your curtain should clear any opening mechanism comfortably - both when hanging and when the window is in use.
Take your time with this. Getting the midpoint right makes more difference to the finished look than almost anything else.
Measuring the width
Inside the recess Measure from left to right within your window frame. That measurement is your window width. No need to add anything - simple, easy, no mathematics involved.
On a rod or pole outside the recess Measure the full length of your rod or pole. If you haven't fitted it yet, your rod should ideally extend approximately 15cm beyond the window frame on each side - this allows the curtain to stack back neatly when drawn. Measure the full pole width and use that as your window width - simple, easy, no mathematics involved.
All widths are rounded up to the nearest 10cm.
Measuring the drop
- Slot Top Curtains: Measure from the top of the curtain rod down to where you want the curtain to fall to. This is usually 1 cm above the windowsill.
- Tape Top Curtains: Measure from the bottom of the curtain ring down to where you want the curtain to fall to. This is usually 1 cm above the windowsill.
For a tailored, made-to-measure look, café curtains should finish just above the windowsill rather than resting or dragging on it. This creates a cleaner, more bespoke appearance. Either works - it's a matter of preference and the proportions of your window.
For most café curtains this will be just above the windowsill, though some people prefer to finish at the sill itself. Either works - it's a matter of preference and the proportions of your window.
A +/- 1cm tolerance applies to all made to measure drops. This is standard across the industry and accounts for the natural behaviour of fabric. We'll always aim to be exact.
We recommend ensuring that you double check your measurements before confirming the order. It's always better to be certain before placing the order and to ensure that your curtain fits your window exactly as it should.
Centimeters or inches?
We cut and make in centimeters - all quotes and order confirmations will show measurements in cm. If you prefer to measure in inches, our product pages have an inches option built in. To convert manually, multiply your inch measurement by 2.54. So 48 inches becomes 122cm.
If you're unsure about the confirmed metric measurements we recommend using an online convertor to convert the centimeters back to inches for peace of mind.
Ordering a pair
For wider windows, or anywhere you might want to draw the curtains to the side, two panels almost always looks better than one. It makes the window feel more considered and gives you more flexibility in use.
To order a pair, measure your total window width as normal and divide by two. Enter each panel separately on the product page. Make a note in the Window Name box that they're a pair - that way we cut them from the same fabric run and the colour match is exact.
If you want to be able to open and close the curtains, we recommend a tape top header as this allows the curtain to move freely along the pole, rod or track.
Gather - how full should your curtain be?
Gather is how much extra fabric goes into the width of your curtain to create folds. More gather means more fullness and softer drape. Less gather means a flatter, more contemporary finish.
For café curtains there's no single right answer - it depends on the fabric, the heading style and the look you're after. As a guide:
Flat - flat to the window, clean and graphic. Works well with structured fabrics and modern interiors.
1.5x gather - a gentle softness without being overly full. A versatile middle ground that suits most café curtain fabrics.
2x gather - a traditional, fuller look with proper soft folds. Works particularly well with lighter sheers and relaxed linen-look fabrics.
2.5x gather - a generous, luxurious fullness with deep, soft folds. Best suited to finer, lighter sheers where the extra fabric drapes beautifully rather than adding bulk.
Our product pages carry specific recommendations for each fabric. If you're not sure, drop us a message before you order - we're genuinely happy to advise.
Colours on screen
We photograph our fabrics as accurately as we can, but screens vary and fabric colours can look different in different lights. If you're particular about colour - and with a café curtain at a kitchen window, it's worth being particular - order a sample before you commit. Samples are available across the range and are always worth the small investment before a made to measure order.
We dispatch samples within 1-2 working days so there is no waiting around.
Making and dispatch
Most made to measure café curtains are completed and dispatched within 7-10 working days. Working days exclude weekends and bank holidays. We'll always aim to be quicker where we can, and we'll let you know if anything is likely to take longer.
Making times do vary between products so for clarity we advise of the making time on each product page to ensure you know when to expect your order.
Can I cancel or change my order?
If you need to make a change or cancel, get in touch as soon as possible. Orders that haven't been cut yet can usually be amended or cancelled without issue. Once cutting has started we're unable to make changes - but we'll always check the status of your order and give you an honest answer about where things stand.
Returns
Made to measure items cannot be returned. They've been cut and finished to your specific measurements and can't be resold - this is standard across the made to measure industry and is the reason we encourage you to check your measurements carefully and order samples before committing to a fabric.
For anything that isn't made to measure - rods, hardware, accessories and any ready-made products - we're happy to accept returns within 14 days of receipt, provided the item is in perfect condition and in its original packaging. Get in touch before sending anything back and we'll give you the right return address.
Something doesn't look right?
If your order arrives and something isn't as it should be - wrong fabric, damage in transit, a size that doesn't match what you ordered - get in touch within 2 working days of delivery and we'll put it right. Please keep all packaging if anything arrives damaged, as our couriers may need to collect it.
Still not sure? Just ask.
Genuinely - it's much easier to answer a question before the fabric is cut than after. Drop us a message and someone who actually knows curtains will get back to you.
By ticking the confirmation box on your order summary you're confirming that you've read this guide, that your measurements are correct, and that you understand made to measure items cannot be returned.