Light and fluid
Voiles and lightweight cloths soften daylight, preserve an airy atmosphere and can add daytime privacy.
Curtain Fabric
Explore designer curtain fabric by the metre for beautifully made curtains and Roman blinds. Our collection brings together plains, prints, linen looks, velvet, embroidery, wide-width cloths and lightweight voiles from leading fabric houses.
Order samples to compare colour, texture, weight and drape in your own room. Check each product’s recommended use, width and pattern repeat before ordering, or ask us about fabric suitability and our made-to-measure service.
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Begin with the room and the window
How to Choose Curtain Fabric
The right cloth depends on how you want the curtains to look and perform. Consider the amount of natural light, the scale of the window, the required privacy and insulation, and whether the curtains will be opened every day or used mainly as decorative framing.
Weight and construction influence how a fabric falls. Supple fabrics form softer folds, while firmer cloths create a more structured silhouette. Always assess a sample in the room and review the individual product specification before making a final decision.
Balanced and versatile
Many linen blends, cottons, plains and prints provide an adaptable drape for living rooms and bedrooms.
Rich and substantial
Velvets and heavier weaves can give curtains depth, presence and a more enveloping appearance.
Handle, weight and movement
Fabric, Texture and Drape
Linen and linen-blend fabrics bring a relaxed texture and natural movement, while cotton and mixed-fibre cloths range from crisp and tailored to soft and informal. Velvet creates deeper colour and a fuller visual weight; semi-plains introduce quiet surface interest without a dominant pattern.
Fibre alone does not determine suitability. Weave, finish, weight and recommended use all matter, so compare samples and the full specification rather than choosing from composition alone.
Scale, repeat and placement
Plain or Patterned Curtain Fabric?
Plain and semi-plain curtains can provide a calm backdrop and place the emphasis on texture and colour. Printed, woven and embroidered designs introduce rhythm and character, from compact motifs that read evenly across folds to large florals and scenic patterns that become a room’s focal point.
For patterned curtains, review the horizontal and vertical repeat, pattern direction and usable width. Matching across joined widths can increase the quantity required, particularly with large or clearly ordered designs.
Filtered light and fewer joins
Voile and Wide-Width Curtain Fabrics
Voile fabrics diffuse strong daylight and create a light layer of privacy without the visual weight of conventional curtains. They can be used alone where appropriate or combined with lined curtains for flexible light control.
Wide-width and room-high fabrics may be designed to run across the width of the window, reducing or avoiding vertical joins. Confirm the fabric’s orientation, usable width, repeat and intended hanging direction before calculating quantity.
Proportion and finish
Headings, Pattern Placement and Details
The heading changes how fabric gathers and therefore how the pattern is displayed. Pinch pleats create a tailored rhythm, pencil pleats form a softer gather, eyelets produce broad folds and Wave headings give a controlled contemporary shape when used with a compatible track.
Borders, contrast leading edges and trims can sharpen the outline or introduce another colour. With a prominent design, the maker should plan motif placement and joins before cutting.
Comfort, privacy and structure
Lining and Made-to-Measure Curtains
Lining gives curtains a more finished reverse, improves body and can help protect the face fabric. Blackout lining is useful where stronger light control is required, while interlining adds fullness and an additional insulating layer. The appropriate treatment depends on the room, cloth and desired result.
Our made-to-measure service can help with fabric suitability, headings, lining, interlining, borders and coordinating Roman blinds or cushions. Final quantities should be calculated from confirmed measurements and the chosen fabric’s width and repeat.
Compare fabrics in your own light
Order Curtain Fabric Samples
Screen colour cannot show the full character of a fabric. A sample helps you judge its true shade, texture, opacity, weight and handle alongside your walls, flooring and furniture. For larger repeats, also study the full product image because a cutting may show only part of the design.
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Frequently asked questions
Curtain Fabric FAQs
Which fabrics are suitable for curtains?
Many linens, cottons, mixed-fibre fabrics, velvets, prints, weaves and voiles can be suitable. Always check that curtains or window treatments are included in the individual product’s recommended use.
How much curtain fabric do I need?
Quantity depends on the track or pole width, finished drop, heading and fullness, fabric width, pattern repeat and whether widths must be matched. Have the final amount calculated from confirmed measurements before ordering.
Should curtains be lined?
Lining is usually beneficial for body, finish and privacy, but the choice depends on the face fabric and room. Voiles may be intentionally unlined, while blackout lining or interlining may be appropriate for bedrooms or a fuller finish.
What is wide-width curtain fabric?
Wide-width fabric provides more cloth across the roll than a conventional furnishing width. Some room-high fabrics can be turned and run across the window, which may reduce joins. Always confirm orientation and usable dimensions.
Can upholstery fabric be used for curtains?
Only when the product specification also recommends it for curtains. Some upholstery cloths may be too stiff or heavy to drape successfully, even though their appearance is suitable.
Why should I order a sample first?
A sample lets you assess colour, texture, weight and opacity in the room where the curtains will hang. It also helps you compare the fabric with paint, wallpaper, furniture and flooring before committing to the full quantity.