Why do my expensive-ish curtains look crap

[Sickofhousestuff]

Hi, I’ve bought my first house so a newbie to house stuff. Unfortunately, my mum is not good with this sort of thing so hoping for some MN advice.

Why do my curtains look crap? Yes they will look better after a steam but I’m not loving the way they look. We have huge windows so had to purchase made to measure which wasn’t cheap.

Im thinking I need more hoops. DH wanted the curtains to hit where they do but I think it’s a shame they don’t hit just above the window sill. Tempted to get my sewing machine out and watch some YouTube videos!

Please help. I’m gutted. They look really different to the image on the website as well :’(

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I also think there is potentially too much material

You haven't gathered the tape at the top. This gives a more structured look and feel to the curtain, so they'll look less floppy.

More rings will probably be needed too.

Don't make the curtains any shorter.

Is there a string to gather them more? It looks like they need to be gathered tighter but I’m not sure exactly how it works with made to measure.

You do not have huge windows and those are not made to measure curtains
£30 a window out of a packet Id say

Ah they’ll look better soon, more hoops and a steam will help.

Do they have weights in the bottom? They’re hanging stiffly which may improve with time, but sewing some weights in would improve the drape too.

Personally I would have had them shorter so they touch the windowsill, or longer so they nearly touch the radiator, but that’s definitely personal preference.

You havent gathered them at the top. Tie one end securely so the strings don't pull through and then pull the strings at the other end to make the pleats/gathers at the top.

Loads of YouTube videos on it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-6nP_Z2u4W4

Do they not look made to measure??

Oh and yes if there is a tape at the top it needs gathering.

They don't look expensive at all

How much were they ?

Don’t shorten. They need more hopes and to be gathered at the top. Honestly they don’t look made to measure. Was expecting large floor to ceiling windows with expensive heavy material- never make an assumption!

Curtains should hit the floor. Short ones look weird to me.

I think you should send them back.

Need gathering steaming and more hoops but they do look cheap certainly not made to measure.

Like flared booty dresses 😂

Okay I didn’t know the tie thing was a thing. Thank you!

Windows are over 9.5ft wide. Big to me.

Definitely need gathering.
If your window isn't standard size drop or you've got the length exactly where you want it, then yes they are made to measure.
Steam them, get some more hoops and gather them they will look much better.

Dh wouldn’t let me get curtains to floor cause of radiator. Didn’t want blinds.

It’s the drape that’s making them look cheap. They look stiff and light, expensive curtains are usually thicker, more floppy and heavy. So no they don’t look expensive. But they’re just out of the packet and the drape may improve. Or can be simulated to a degree with weights.

Steam the creases out. Gather the tape. Put the curtain rings on evenly, and perhaps get more of them.

Thanks all!

“Curtains should hit the floor” makes no sense for big front windows with a large radiator running underneath (a really common setup). All winter in the evenings you’ll have the curtains closed and radiator on. Essentially paying to warm up the bottom half of your curtains, and blocking the heat from circulating.

They're lovely - just do this

They need ironing and gathering uniformly at the top. Probably more rings too.

Short curtains on wide windows always look a bit stunted so you’ll have to just get used to that.

If you got them made, the person that made them should advise you on gathering them.
They don’t look great now, I hope you didn’t spend too much.

They look too short and not full enough to me. They need more fabric which can be gathered at the top to create deeper folds and a fuller drape.

They're not terrible at all, they just look less expensive than they are because they could be longer and wider. They should improve when you gather them more at the top and the creases drop out.