Soft Furnishings
Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order a sample of the fabric before placing my order?

Yes, we highly recommend you order a fabric sample. As all our curtains and blinds are made-to-measure, we do not accept returns and so sampling will ensure you are happy with your chosen fabric.

Fabric samples are available across our full range of curtains and blinds. For roller blinds you have the option of either a blackout, light filtering or waterproof finish. As these are different substrates with different properties the samples may vary between finish, meaning it is important to order the correct sample for the product you desire.

Please note, if you are interested in both curtains and roman blinds, you will only need to order one sample (not one of each) as the fabric is the same. When you order either a curtain or a roman blind sample, you will receive an A5 fabric piece without the lining.

What happens if my blind fabric is out of stock?

In the rare occasion that your fabric is out of stock, you can sign up for back in stock notifications directly from the product details page. We will then inform you via email as soon as the fabric is available.

Am I able to amend my order once it has been processed?

Due to the bespoke nature of our products, you have 48-hours to contact us if you wish to cancel your order. To cancel, please call our customer service team or submit your request here ensuring you select ‘Made to Order cancellation’ option so we can identify and process your cancellation as soon as possible. To help avoid any issues, please ensure you have checked all your details and measurements are correct before placing your order.

I need measuring advice.

We offer extensive measuring guides and videos for you to follow here:

How to measure for curtains guide

How to measure for blinds guide

If you’re not sure on any part, our customer service team are on hand to help with any questions you may have.

What measurements do I need to provide for my curtains?

When ordering your Made to Measure curtains online, you will need to provide the width of your curtain track (measure from end to end) or pole (measure the space between the two finials), and then the desired length of your curtains. If you do not have a pole or track in place, measure the window itself and add an overlap of 200-300mm at each side for the width and above the window for the drop. We will then take care of any calculations needed depending on the type of curtain you are ordering. Please do not provide us with measurements of the fabric width.

For full details on how to measure your curtains, please ensure you read our full guide which includes a helpful video.

What measurements do I need to provide for my blinds?

When ordering your Made to Measure blinds online, simply follow the below steps to ensure accuracy.

1. Only use a metal measuring tape and record your measurements in cm.
2. Measurements must be accurate for a perfect fit. We will make the necessary allowances to ensure the blind fits the window/door*
3. Decide on how you want the blind fitted – ‘Recess’ is within the window/door frame or ‘Exact’ is to your desired point on the wall outside of the window/door frame. If you are opting for a blackout blind and you would like it to sit as close to the wall as possible, we advise that you order an ‘Exact’ fit blind instead of a ‘Recess’ blind.
4. Always measure the width first (across the window) and then the drop (top to bottom) in 3 places.
5. Record your measurements in the same order.
6. Look for any obstructions such as handles and ensure you leave enough room in front and there is enough space for the blind to fit into the recess.
7. Finally, re-check your width and drop measurements to ensure accuracy.

What types of blinds do you offer?

We offer two of the most popular types of blinds: roller blinds and roman blinds. The difference between these blinds is the way in which they extend - roller blinds can be rolled and unrolled, whereas roman blinds fold upwards and downwards in pleats. They are also made from different fabrics: roller blind fabric is stiffer and has a blackout coating applied, and roman blinds are soft with an extra lining to make them blackout.

What is curtain fullness?

Curtain fullness is the relationship between the width of the curtain track or pole and the amount of fabric used in the curtains. The fullness percentage refers to the amount of additional width of the drape in its flat condition, prior to pleating the curtain to its finished width. A curtain that has 100% fullness will initially be sewn flat at 100% wider than your desired finished width with the extra fabric on the width being used to make the pleats.

Each heading type has a different fullness, but you don’t have to worry, we will use the most suitable amount of fabric to create a fuller and luxury look. Below is the fullness percentage we use for each of the different heading types.

1. Pencil Pleat 200% fullness
2. Double Pinch Pleat 200% fullness
3. Triple Pinch Pleat 260% fullness
4. Eyelet 170% fullness
5. Wave 180% fullness

Manufacturing tolerance & allowances.

Your width measurement is the total product width including the mechanism.

Will there be joins in my Curtain or Blind?

Larger curtains & roman blinds will require a join in the fabric. Curtains over 1260mm wide will have a single seam in the fabric. Roman blinds over 1260mm wide will have two seams in the fabric with the largest panel in the middle and the two smaller panels either side. If your fabric contains a pattern, the panels will be pattern matched across the seams.

Sustainability credentials.

At Graham & Brown we are empowered to think sustainability first, knowing that even the smallest of actions when combined can have a big impact.

All our curtains and blinds are made to order. This reduces stock holding while giving the consumer much more choice which over 500 designs to choose from.

We are aiming to switch to BCI cotton and 100% recycled polyester for all respective linings and print bases by 2025.

Our factory is paperless and uses a digital system to process orders. In addition, we switched to paper for our internal packaging to reduce plastic usage.

What kind of fabric is used to make your curtains & blinds?

Our curtains and roman blinds are made using different fabric types, this includes cotton, linen, chenille, velvet and satin. Our roller blinds are made from polyester. For more information on the specific fabric and composition used, please refer to the product details page.

What lining do I need for my curtain or roman blind?

We offer various lining options for our made to measure curtains and roman blinds. Each has its own practical properties while also enhancing the overall look and feel.

Our standard lining is the most affordable option and is used solely to enhance and give your main fabric a backing, helping to protect the fabric from direct sunlight by filtering out the light in the room whilst also creating a nice drape. This light filtering option is lightweight and produces a soft natural glow in daylight hours. Available in ivory for curtain and roman blinds.

Our satin finish lining is medium weight that gently filters out light whilst creating an improved drape and finish. Satin lining is available in ivory and white for curtains and roman blinds.

Our bonded satin is a medium weight satin lining that adds thickness and helps with insulation. A thicker layer is attached to a satin lining which provides insulating properties and improves the feel and quality of the roman blind. Available in ivory for roman blinds only.

Our blackout/thermal lining is a specialised heavyweight lining option that is used to eliminate light from the room when drawn. It also helps protect the main fabric from direct sunlight to avoid fading. Our blackout/thermal lining helps keep the room cool in summer by reducing the amount of light dispersing into the room, and during those colder months, it helps retain heat, making this a fantastic choice for bedrooms. Other benefits include reducing energy consumption and noise pollution. This option is ideal for windows and doors with a draft and gives a beautiful drape and finish. Our blackout/thermal lining is available in two colours, ivory and white for curtains and roman blinds.

Our bonded blackout adds thickness and helps with insulation whilst eliminating light from the room. A thicker layer is attached to a blackout lining which provides insulating properties and improves the feel and quality of the roman blind. Available in ivory for roman blinds only.

What is interlining?

Interlined curtains have 3 layers, your main curtain fabric, the interlining layer and then the backing/cotton lining. The interlining gives greater thermal efficiency and gives your curtains more body. This is a great option if you have a cold house or want your curtains to have a fuller look, creating a more opulent and luxurious feel. Available for curtains only.

Which fabric base do I need for my roller blind?

Our made to measure roller blinds come with 3 substrates: light filtering, blackout and waterproof. Each has its own practical properties suitable for different purposes and room types.

Our light filtering fabric diffuses sunlight to produce a soft natural glow during daylight hours whilst simultaneously offering privacy, perfect for creating a sense of calm and elegance.

Our blackout fabric has a light blocking membrane to ensure light cannot penetrate the fabric, making it perfect for bedroom use. While blackout blinds do block out most of the light, there will be a small amount of light leakage through the sides of the blind when closed. This is usually evident for recess fit and cassette headrails.

Our waterproof fabric resists moisture and splashing and can be wiped clean making it the optimal solution for bathroom and kitchen use

What headrail options are available for blinds?

At Graham & Brown we offer four different heading options: eyelets, pencil pleats, pinch pleats and wave.

Eyelet curtains have a wide pleat and can be hung on most curtain poles. Our eyelet curtains are best fit on poles with a 35mm diameter. Our eyelets have a 40mm internal diameter (62mm external). There is roughly 18mm of fabric visible to the top of the eyelet (30mm to the internal of the eyelet).

Pencil pleats have a more tightly gathered pleat that comes together when you pull the cord in the heading tape. We offer 3” and 6” pencil pleats which can be hung on most curtain poles and tracks.

Pinch pleats have tight pleats that are stitched into the fabric to make them permanent, making them a luxurious style of curtain. They are available in double or triple pleats for a fuller finish and can be hung on most curtain poles or tracks.

Wave curtains provide a contemporary look and minimalist heading with hooks that are positioned at set intervals to create perfect waves in the fabric. This option comes with the track included to ensure the perfect finish.

What heading options are available for blinds?

At Graham & Brown we offer two different types of headrails: classic and cassette. The cassette headrail hides the roll of fabric at the top of the blinds, whereas the classic headrail does not.

If you choose a roman blind with a classic headrail the fabric will be attached with Velcro to a white, metal head rail.

For roller blinds with a classic headrail, the blind is fitted to the window with a bracket without a cassette to cover the mechanism. Please note the reverse of the blind is white which will be visible when the blind is fitted.

For roman and roller blinds with a cassette headrail, the top of your blind will be finished with a sleek metal box which hides all the operating mechanisms out of sight. The front of the cassette is covered with the same fabric as the blind. End caps for the cassette come in black or white and we will coordinate the best option depending on your fabric choice.

We have three cassette sizes: Small (80mm x 80mm), Medium (95mm x 95mm) and Large (110mm x 110mm). Our Medium sized cassette is used for blinds over 1800mm (W) x 2000mm (D).

Do you offer a fitting service?

Unfortunately, we do not offer a fitting service; however, if you need further information, please refer to our fitting guides, linked below. Alternatively, our friendly customer service can help guide you through the process.

The ultimate guide to hanging curtains

How to fit blinds

Do you provide fitting instructions?

Our installation guides and videos will take you through the process step-by-step, so you can professionally install your curtains, roller blinds and roman blinds with ease.

You can find direct links to our fitting instruction PDFs here.

To help make the installation process as easy and straightforward as possible, we also include fitting instructions with all orders.

Note: Before hanging your curtain or blind (particularly roman blinds), it's always a good idea to iron them beforehand. If you have access to a steamer, you can gently steam any creases out of the fabric. An iron on a steam setting can work just as well. Take care not to touch or over steam the fabric. We recommend your blind is left down for 48 hours. This will allow the fabric to settle into its new surroundings.

Top tip: Once your curtains are hung, gather them back into their pleats and tie them. Leave them like this for a minimum of 48 hours to help the fabric remain pleated.

If you’re not sure on any part, our customer service team are on hand to help with any questions you may have.

Do you supply all the components for installation?

We provide all necessary components for installation, including screws with all orders. Before fitting your curtain track or blind make sure the screws provided are suitable for the surface you are fitting into. Some surfaces will require wall plugs and different screws to the ones we provide.

What are back rolled blinds & which way should I install my blind?

Back Rolled blinds, also known as an Under Rolled blind, is where the fabric runs off the back of the barrel, hanging close to the windowpane. This is great for reflecting heat and keeping light from entering the room which is perfect if you want to darken a room and reduce the chance of sunlight leaking through gaps in the side. If you have window handles that could get in the way and obstruct the back rolled blind, then front rolling the blind is a sensible option. Also known as an Over Rolled blind, this is where the fabric hangs over the front of the barrel, hanging further away from the windowpane. This creates greater distance between the blind fabric and the window, which is useful if there are objects in the way, such as handles.

How do I care for my curtains and blinds?

We recommend that curtains and roman blinds are cleaned with the upholstery brush on a vacuum cleaner. The fabric part of the blind can be professionally dry cleaned, if necessary, but remember to remove the rods first.

For roller blinds, gently wipe over the blind using a dry, lint free cloth only. For waterproof blinds, gently wipe over using a white, damp cloth.

How do I remove creases from my curtain or blind?

It's always a good idea to iron your curtains or blinds, (particularly roman blinds) before hanging them. This will help eliminate creases and ensure your curtains and blinds look their best. Please note, it is important not use excessive pressure or heat as this can distort the fabric.

If you have access to a steamer, you can gently steam any creases out of the fabric. An iron on a steam setting can work just as well. Take care not to touch or over steam the fabric. We recommend your blind is left down for 48 hours. This will allow the fabric to settle into its new surroundings.

How long will it take for my order to arrive?

Our made to measure curtains and blinds will be delivered within 14 to 21 working days. Please check the product page for individual delivery times as these may change during busier periods.

Can I track my order?

Once your order has despatched, we will send you an ‘order on its way’ email containing relevant tracking information.

How much notice do I have to give to cancel my order?

Unless otherwise advertised, we offer a 48-hour cancellation period on our made-to-measure curtains and blinds. If you wish to cancel your order, simply contact us at Graham & Brown Support within 48 hours of ordering and choose the ‘Made to Order Cancellation’ option, we will then cancel and refund your order. It is not possible to cancel your order after the 48 hours have passed.

Am I eligible for a refund or exchange?

Due to the bespoke nature of our curtains and blinds, refunds and exchanges cannot be given if the product has been incorrectly ordered unless they are faulty. For more information, please view our returns policy.

Are the curtains and blinds covered under a warranty?

We offer a 1 year warranty for mechanical parts.

How do I report a fault or damage to my curtain or blind?

In the rare occasion your curtain or blind arrives faulty or damaged, please contact our customer service team who can assist in resolving any issue with your order.

The best way to report a fault or damage is to email our customer service team with details of the fault. Please ensure you send photos of the damage along with your order number. If the problem relates to sizing issues, please include an image of your curtain or blind next to a tape measure showing the incorrect sizes if you think we have made the blind to the wrong size.

Please submit your request to our customers service team at Graham & Brown Support.

All faulty or damaged goods need to be reported to us within 7 days.

If we have been unable to answer any of your questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at Graham & Brown Support.