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Frequently Asked Questions

While the cost of pinch pleat drapes versus non-pinch pleat styles such as grommet top or flat top may ‘seem’ to be double, it actually is not. This is best explained with an example.

For a window of width 36 inches, the panel width would be different for pinch pleat versus non-pinch pleat drapes.

If a client chooses grommet top, they’d ideally order two panels of 36 inches EACH for 2x fullness for this window. Whereas, if they choose a pinch pleat style, they’d order two panels of about 20 inches EACH for the exact same window.

This is because fullness is pre-sewn within the panel widths in pinch pleat drapes.

Therefore, while the price of a 36 inch pinch pleat panel is double the price of a 36 inch wide grommet top, the same window, in fact, does not require 36 inch wide panels in both styles to start. The correct comparison would be 36 inch wide non-pinch pleat panel versus a 20 inch wide pinch-pleat panel.

To make a true cost comparison of dressing a window in two different heading styles, we recommend following the measuring guidelines in our Curtain Measurement Guide to first calculate correct panel widths for various styles, and then calculating prices for those widths.

We offer grommets in four finishes: silver, bronze, brass (gold) and black.

All finishes are available in standard sizes with inner grommet diameter of 1.5 inches.

Silver and bronze grommets are also available in large sizes with inner grommet diameter of 2 inches.

Yes.

If you have a sidelight window and need drapery with two rod pockets for tension rods, please buy standard rod pocket style on our site and leave a note under ‘Special Instructions’ box at time of checkout, requesting two pockets instead of one.

We do not charge extra for two pockets. We’re nice that way.

Sorry to disappoint but we only work with fabrics from our own collection. We hope you find a suitable alternative!

We offer a standard white privacy lining to block glare and protect fabric from sun damage and color fading.

Clients also have the option of ordering blackout lining to be used in place of privacy lining for room darkening and better insulation. For blackout lining, we offer two color options- light grey and champagne beige.

The blackout lining is stitched on the back of drapes/shades. It is *not* provided as a separate, removable liner. Blackout lining replaces the standard privacy lining. It is not in addition to privacy lining.

For further details and images of our linings, please click HERE.

We do not sell or include any hardware with our drapery; we only offer soft furnishings.

This is probably the most frequently asked question from our clients who order custom curtains with pinch pleats or flat panel top for the first time.

While there are multiple hardware options based on price and quality, we are ardent fans of the functional efficiency of a simple clip and pin mechanism. See link to our blog post HERE for handy reference. In a nutshell, drapery pins are inserted into the back (lining side) of the panels through the heading tape. The sharp, pointed end goes into the tape, directly into the center of each pinch pleat. Then the curved end of the pin goes through the eyelet of your drapery ring/clip or rod carrier. And that’s it!

You’ll get a super tailored, polished look from the front – and your new drapes will glide smoothly over your drapery rod. For handy reference images, see our blog post HERE.

Pleats in our pinch pleat drapery are stitched roughly at gaps of 3-4 inches. Ideally, we recommend a drapery pin behind each pleat so please calculate how many ‘pinches’ your chosen width drapes will have, and decide number of drapery pins to order accordingly.

Similarly, for flat panel tops, we recommend pins to be inserted at 4-5 inch gaps, though clients can change this based on their personal preference.

Please see our detailed drapery sizing guide HERE.

While stackback widths are not possible to determine precisely, we advise clients to expect their non-pinch pleat style drapes (grommet top, rod pockets, etc.) to stack to 20% of the panel width, and for pinch pleat drapery to stack to roughly 25%  of the panel width.

Please note that stackback widths vary not only based on heading style, but also depend on the thickness of the fabric and lining, as well as how tightly the drapery is gathered by the user.

Yes, we can stitch any length and width for drapes. If your ideal sizes are not available on our site, please send us an email at info@spiffyspools.com noting the exact sizes you’d like. We’ll send you a custom quote, usually within a few business hours.

New curtains rarely ever fall in straight folds right out of the package. They need to be ‘trained’. Please click HERE for a few simple steps to ensure your curtains look fabulous soon after unboxing.

Fabric bolts come in continuous lengths but in fixed widths (typically 48-54 inches wide). Therefore, while there never will be a joint to get extra long lengths, if your made-to-measure curtains are over a certain width (48 inches) then you can expect to have a vertical join in them.

A vertical join can be very discreet if handled well. If the fabric is patterned then we will match the pattern along the seam. If the fabrics is patterned and matched well then the join is almost invisible, only noticeable if you are deliberately looking for it.

Please see blog post HERE for more information and reference images.

Our default pocket size is 2.5 inches. If you’d like the pocket size to be larger or smaller, please write to us at info@spiffyspools.com before placing your order and we can usually accommodate.

Our default bottom hem size is 2 inches.

If you’d like the hems on your drapes to be larger or smaller, please write to us at info@spiffyspools.com before placing your order and we can usually accommodate.

The header tape used behind our pinch pleat, pencil pleat and flat panel top curtains is four inches wide.

Length fraction refers to ‘part inch’ measurements. For example, if a client wants to order curtains that are 86.50 inches inches long, they’d choose “86” under “Length” specification and “1/2 (.50 inch)” under “Length Fraction” specification on our site.

We offer a standard white privacy lining to block glare and protect fabric from sun damage and color fading.

Clients also have the option of ordering blackout lining to be used in place of privacy lining for room darkening and better insulation. We use either a light grey or a champagne beige lining. The blackout lining color is decided by stylists based on color of drapery/shade fabric and is solely to our discretion. Other colors may be made available on special order requests if advised ahead of the order.

The blackout lining is stitched on the back of drapes/shades. It is *not* provided as a separate, removable liner. Blackout lining replaces the standard privacy lining. It is not in addition to privacy lining.

For further details and images of our linings, please click HERE.

Yes, our roman shades come with all the required hardware and are ready to install out of package. Please click HERE for images and info about our hardware and steps to install.

We do not offer cordless roman shades at this time, sorry to disappoint!

Our roman shades are operated via a continuous loop pull cord. Our hardware also includes a chain lock/anchor piece to hold the cord so it’s not dangling loose.

Please click HERE for images and further info about our roman shade hardware and steps to install.

Please see an image gallery with mounting instructions for our roman shades HERE.

Sorry to disappoint but we only work with fabrics from our own collection. We hope you find a suitable alternative!

Please see our detailed roman shade sizing guide HERE.

Please see our detailed roman shade style guide HERE.

Roman shades operate by pulling action on strings (also called lift lines) through small loops at back.  If your new roman shade is skewing to one side once mounted, this usually is caused by the end knot(s) coming loose, causing the strings to be uneven length and tension. This is not a flaw or defect in any way, just a maintenance to-do once in a long while with roman shades.

To fix this common but easily-resolved issue, turn the shade over, check the strings are looped around rings properly and re-tie the bottom knots with a bit of manual level adjustment. The strings should be of equal lengths and tension for the shade to be level. The knot will be at the bottommost fold/slat around the ring.

Please see IMAGE for reference.

If you are considering inside-mount roman shades, you’d need at least two inches of inside mount depth to mount our brackets and hardware safely and securely.

If the window frame (inside) isn’t deep enough, please consider outside mount roman shades for your space.

Length and width fractions refer to ‘part inch’ measurements. For example, if a client wants to order shades that are 36.50 inches inches long, they’d choose “36” under “Length” specification and “1/2 (.50 inch)” under “Length Fraction” specification on our site.

Our fabric swatches are 5×5 inches.

Sorry to disappoint, but we do not offer samples of our trims & ribbons at this time.

Please see detailed info on our shipping and delivery timelines HERE.

If you’re not home at time of first attempt, courier service will leave a callout card with contact number on it. Please either call that number or their customer service number to arrange a redelivery.

Please note we are not able to liaise with courier services on your behalf to schedule delivery dates and times.

Import duties and taxes are included in our prices for shipments to USA.

For shipments to other countries including Canada and United Kingdom, our prices do *NOT* include import duties and taxes that individual countries may impose. Buyers are solely responsible for paying any import charges once the shipment reaches their country.

All our products are handstitched, packaged and shipped from our studios either in India or London, depending on volume and nature of order.

Please see here to read our RETURNS policy.

All our products are handmade in our studios either in India or London, depending on profile (product & volume) of the order.

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