Frequently Asked Questions

Because we love having a natter, we always encourage our customers to give us a call to chat about any queries. But we understand that some people just want to crack on and find the answers to their questions online, and fast.

Below are answers to our most frequently asked questions, but if you can't find the answer you're looking for then call us on 0800 121 6370 or email contact@loomandlast.com and we'll do our best to give you the information you need.

 Measuring

How do I measure up?
Simply follow our measuring instructions. To make sure you get it right you will need your curtain pole or track in place first if you're measuring for curtains. Always use a metal tape measure.

What happens if I get my measurements wrong?
Contact us straight away and we’ll try to sort it out for you. If work has started it might be too late to make any amendments. If this is the case you can either continue or cancel and receive a 50% refund.
If you only find that you've got your measurements wrong after you've received the curtains, please still give us a call and we'll see if there's any way we can get them altered for you.


Curtains

Which width should I choose for my ready made curtains?

Pencil pleat
A Standard width pair will fit a pole or track between 86cm and 123cm.
A Large width pair will fit a pole or track between 124cm and 177cm.
An Extra Large width pair will fit a pole or track between 178cm and 240cm.

Eyelet
A Standard width pair will fit a pole between 120cm and 180cm.
A Large width pair will fit a pole between 181cm and 240cm.
An Extra Large width pair will fit a pole between 241cm and 300cm.

Full measuring instructions for ready made curtains can be found here.

N.B The flat width of each ready made curtain

The widths shown below are for each curtain in your pair before they are gathered to your desired width:
Standard = each curtain is 116cm wide
Large = each curtain is 168cm wide
Extra Large = each curtain is 228cm wide

Which curtains are the best for insulation?
All of our fabrics are available with lining or interlining through the made to measure section of our website. Interlining paired with blackout lining is the best way of providing insulation to your home. As you put your order through on the made to measure section of our website you can choose interlining as an option. If lining and interlining are too costly our new extra thick thermal or blackout lining is also available through the made to measure section.

Do curtains come as a pair or as a single curtain?
All of our curtains come as a pair – that includes ready made curtains and made to measure – unless you specify that you want a single curtain in the case of made to measure. When asked for the quantity while processing your order ‘1’ will mean one pair of curtains. If you do want a single curtain then go to the made to measure section of the website and select ‘single curtain’. Unfortunately our ready made curtains are only available in pairs.

How heavy are the curtains?
Obviously curtains vary in weight according to the curtain fabric they're made from, their size and the lining options you choose. Sheer curtain fabrics are the lightest and velvet curtains are normally the heaviest. Unlined or lined curtains are lighter than three layer lined & interlined curtains. If you have a curtain pole or track that is not strong and not securely fixed to the wall, you might want to replace it before you hang curtains otherwise the curtain pole could come away from the wall. If you need advice on this please call The Natural Curtain Company on 0800 121 6370 and we'll be happy to help you.

Will my curtains have joins?
If your made to measure curtain (or curtains) are wider than the width of the fabric you have chosen, we will join widths of fabric together with vertical seams. If your fabric has a pattern it will be matched across the seams.


Blinds

Are your blinds child safe?
Absolutely. We provide chain tidys and cleats to make sure that our blinds are safe, and we’re also happy to send out free blind safety packs. Email us or give us a call on 0800 121 6370 to request one.

Joins
If your blinds are wider than the width of the fabric you have chosen, we will join widths of fabric together with vertical seams. If your fabric has a pattern it will be matched across the seams.
Fabric

Can I see the fabrics?
Yes, of course! You can request up to 5 free fabric samples. We can also send you larger samples of fabric for a small charge.

Do fabric batches vary?
Yes, fabric can vary from batch to batch, but if you have the same fabric from a different batch in different rooms it’s very difficult to tell the difference. If the shade of colour that you’re looking for is particularly important, we recommend you call us and ask for a stock cutting so we can cut a sample from the current batch and take a note of which batch it was from.

Can I iron my curtains?
We recommend you simply hang them up straight away and the creases will disappear on average within 2 weeks. Ironing the fabric could be damaging and ruin your curtains.

Can I put my fabrics in the washing machine?
No, this is not advisable. The fabric will shrink, there’s a high possibility colours might run and the linings will get ruined. Curtains can be dry cleaned at your own risk but please note they can shrink by up to 3% during the process. If you have to take your blackout/thermal curtains to the dry cleaners please let them know that they'll need to be put through a very sensitive treatment. The best way to keep your curtains clean is to vacuum them in situ.

Will my fabrics fade?
Over time yes, particularly if they are exposed to direct sunlight. If your curtains are unlined they will fade faster than lined or better still interlined curtains. The most effective way to protect your fabric is to use a blackout lining as this will prevent any direct sunlight reaching the face fabric.

Are your fabrics flame retardant?
Our fabrics aren't flame retardant. If you'd like the fabrics for your curtains or blinds to go through a flame retardant treatment for FR certification, you need to let us know before you place your order. There will be an extra charge for this. Alternatively we can also source manufactured flame retardant fabrics for your products - give us a call on 0800 121 6370 to discuss your options.
Lining

Can I add lining to curtains that have already been made?
Unfortunately we cannot add lining to curtains that have already been made as we’d have to unpick each stitch! However, if you would like to have a go yourself you can buy lining by the metre from our website.


Delivery

What is the delivery time?
Our lead times can vary slightly depending on things like fabric availability and the number of orders in front of yours. We always aim to complete your order as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality. If you have a deadline to work to - please ask us so we can give you an honest answer about the feasibility of making it. You can find a list of delivery times for all our products here.

Can I cancel an order?
Yes. You can only be guaranteed a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of placing the order. After this 24-hour period you will receive a 50% refund if work has already started on your curtains or blinds.

What is your returns policy?
We want you to be happy with your new curtains or blinds so if there’s a problem, we will work hard to sort it out. We will accept returns and consider replacements or refunds if there is a problem with the quality of manufacture or faults with the fabric. However, we cannot accept returns in situations where we have been given incorrect measurements or you haven't seen a sample yet and are unhappy with the fabric.
In the case of ready made curtains, poles and tracks you can return these to us within 14 days, no questions asked. To read more about our returns policy, click here.