Curtain Queries - I'm confused

[Bozza]

We are currently decorating a bedroom for DS to move into. But I am stuck with the curtains - I get confused about the measurements etc. The window opening is 170 cm ax and 113 cm down. When I am looking at ready-made curtains is it standard to give across x down for the measurements?

It is a north-facing room and we have painted the walls "lupin blue", the furniture is Ikea visalden (white/pine) and I am buying the blue and red boat bedding from Next. But we decided to buy plain curtains and decided that red would tie it together. I found a pair of darkish red, heavy cotton curtains today which I bought because they were only £24. It says EACH curtain is 160 cm ax and 137 cm down and they are tab top. Does the drop include the tab because if so I am worried that they will not be long enough? Also does it sound like they are too wide because with being tab top you cannot draw them together? Also although quite an heavy material/dark colour they are unlined. Will this matter in a north facing bedroom? If so, could I add a lining myself?

Sorry for rambling but I did say I was confused.

They will fit and they do pull together they just have gaps at the top.Why not buy a blind to go under them 160cm across is an average size so finding one should be no problem.Can you tell I used to work in interiors I am a mine of useless info!!

I agree with Noddy - get a black out blind to hang in the window behind the curtains. Much easier than lining the curtains - unless your windows are draughty, in which case it's probably better to line the curtains to keep the cold out.

Wouldn't have thought the window would be draughty - we bought the house new 3 years ago with uPVC windows. Was more concerned about light levels and fading. DS currently has mid-blue lined curtains in a south-facing room so has never been used to black out.

Don't you think they might be a bit wide given that you don't have the gathering effect with tab tops? Also if I open them and they aren't right would I be able to return them?

Bozza, for the curtain width the best thing to do is measure the length of the curtain rail (rather than the window) and, for tab tops, multiply this measurement by 1.5. This will give you a little bit of fullness, so the curtains aren't completely flat when they are drawn together. If you think your curtains are too wide, can you replace the existing rail with a wider one? This might be a good idea for a north facing room anyway, as the drawn curtains would hang at the window sides and not block out any light. For the curtain drop, again measure from the top of the curtain rail to wherever you want the curtain to reach. I think the length of your curtains should include the tab tops, but have a thorough read of the package to make sure.
You can buy ready-made linings but these usually fit on to curtains that have hooks, so you may need to attach some velcro to the curtain and the lining.
HTH

Thanks soothepoo. The velcro idea is a good one - hadn't thought of that. Do you know where I could get ready made linings? DH was a bit anti buying a new curtain pole or moving it but we tried the curtains last night and they do seem to fit so v. pleased. They need ironing though so haven't bothered really with how they go when drawn back. In DS's current room we have tab tops and we have hold-backs with them so that they don't block out too much light so that might be a possibility.

John Lewis do ready made linings.