Ready Made VS Custom Made Window Treatments

Apples and Oranges?


Today's market is bombarded with ready made window treatments. You can find them everywhere! From a department store to the dollar store. But? What really is the difference? They all have the same basic function. To cover or decorate a window opening. In all honesty the difference is tremendous! It's like apples and oranges.

What Ready-Made is......and What it's NOT!

Ready-made window treatments are easily available. Their price range can be anywhere from
$15- $90+ a panel. They come in select sizes. Usually finding anything more than 84" long is difficult. Which limits where to hang your hardware. There are many available colors and patterns to choose from at different stores. Although shade choices can be challenging. Ready-made window treatments don't have many header choices. Usually you can get a flat panel, a rod pocket, or a tab top. These treatments are usually made of fair fabric and are seldom lined and never interlined.

Custom window treatments give the client an unlimited amount of choices. There basically aren't any limits. From color, to function, to material. The biggest advantage to custom made is the materials used.

Lining and Interlining - Generally, Ready-Made Drapery is not lined, or if it is, the lining is of very poor quality. Custom Drapery is always lined with top-quality white or ivory satin lining. Quality lining gives drapery treatments greater body, and also extends the life of your drapery fabric. Interlining, or Bump, is best used with silks and more delicate fabrics, as it gives fine fabrics more fullness, and also acts as insulation in cooler climates. You will never find interlining in Ready-Made Drapery.

Panel Widths - Ready-Made Drapery comes in single-width panels. If you wish to cover a larger window, you will need multiple panels and they will not be attached to each other. If the panels have a pattern, the pattern will most likely not appear in the same location on each panel. Custom Draperies are made to order, so no matter what width you need, your panels will be sewn together, and patterns will seldom be interrupted or broken.

Workmanship - Besides the differences mentioned above, Custom Draperies will meet the following criteria:

4" Double-turned heading with crinoline for shape and stability

4" Double-turned bottom hem, blind stitched for added body

1 1/2" Double-turned side hems, blind stitched for smooth edges

Weighted hems when needed

But most importantly, when you purchase Custom Draperies, you also receive the services, knowledge, and expertise of a Window Professional.