Fullness: Curtains are designed to be 1.5 times the window width.  This offers the best view of the lace.  Generally one curtain fits windows 30 to 45" wide. If more fullness is desired, use more than one.
Curtain Sizing: Curtain measurements are tip to tip. From the very top to the longest scallop on the bottom. The width is first, followed by the length. (W x L) These are flat measurements.
Mounting: When mounting outside the window frame, curtains can end anywhere.  At the sill, the apron, in the middle of the wall between the window and floor, to the floor, or puddled on the floor.
Privacy: Lace curtains should not be used alone where privacy is a must.  Fortunately, lace curtains can be installed over shades or blinds and look terrific.
Basic Components
A Festoon valance can be used alone or as an insert between the swag pairs.	The one piece swag and fan tie swag may be used alone or with panels and tiers.
	The Valance goes at the top of the window. It can be used alone, as an insert between the swags, and over panels or tiers.
Tiers usually fit the bottom half of the window. The Valance/Tier designation indicates it is designed to be used as either a tier or a long valance.	The versatile panel. This piece can hang just about anywhere on the window.
Configurations (Limited only by your imagination).
A festoon Valance over 2 panels, tied back.  A double curtain rod is needed.	The swag pair can be hung inside or outside the window frame.  Ideally, it should come down about 3/4 as shown. Other lengths are fine as long as the window does not appear cut in half.
2 Swag Pairs over 2 tiers. This is a double window.	1 Swag Pair with Festoon inserted, over 2 panels. This is a double window.
One panel tied back. This works well where 2 windows are close to each other. This would be the right side window, the left side would tie back to the left.	The Valance can be hung alone.

 

Quick Decorating Tips:

Privacy Issues - Sun & Ultra-Violet Concerns
 Fabric Content - Style & Design
Quick Lace Curtain Terms Guide - Bay Windows
 

Privacy Issues:

Lace curtains should not be used alone where privacy is a must.  Fortunately, lace curtains can be installed over shades and blinds and look terrific.

Sun and Ultra-Violet Concerns:

Lace curtains softly filter light but not the harmful ultra-violet rays that can damage fine furnishings.  This includes furniture, both wood and upholstered, floors and rugs, as well as the art on your walls.  In most instances, this is not a problem.  However, wherever the light bothers you for a period of time daily, and for most of the year, this could be a problem.  There are many possible solutions including windows with built-in protection, products that can be applied to your windows, and protective window treatments such as fabric draperies, shades or blinds.  Some of our current Scottish Lace curtains have an UV protective additive. This will help the curtains last longer, but will not protect any furnishings. Polyester lace will not be affected by the sun.

Fabric Content:

Lace curtains are usually made from either polyester or cotton with some polyester added.  There are very few items made today that are totally cotton.  The term "polyester" does have a "bad" reputation, remembering the stiff polyesters of the past.  However today's polyesters have come a long way.  They are soft, very easy to clean, and very durable.  (Not to mention - good-looking!) Polyesters can even be made to have the look and feel of fine leather.

As with any fiber, there are varying grades and types of polyester. You can still find the less costly polyester lace curtains and other products that have that yucky feel.  We use only high quality polyesters in our lace curtains.  Some of our  lace draperies are "memory" polyesters that will retain their "drape" after washing.

Our cotton-content lace curtains are either 95% cotton and made in Scotland, 70% cotton-rich made in the USA, or 33% cotton made in Europe.  You will be hard-pressed to actually find or feel the polyester fibers in these lace curtains.  The polyester adds durability and aids in shape retention.  Curtain stretchers have been regulated to the antique collectors! (For those of you too young to remember, curtains were washed and mounted on stretchers to dry. The edges of the curtains were slipped over tiny pins, top, bottom and sides and the rack was adjusted to hold the curtain taunt as it dried.)

QuickTerms Guide:

The Valance is a short top treatment. It can be used alone or with tiers or over panels. Use as many as you need for wide windows. Each piece fits windows 27" to 48" wide. Some Valances are shaped like short swags.

Tiers are used on the bottom half of the window, if desired. The 24" Tier can also be used as a longer top treatment. Each tier fits a window 27" to 48" wide. Tiers are one piece unless noted otherwise.

The Swag Pair is a top treatment for a single window. There is a left and right piece. One swag pair fits windows 27" to 58" wide. The valance/insert or festoon can be inserted between the swag pair for wider windows or a fuller look. There are One Piece Swags which have to used in multiples for wider windows. Swags can be combined with tiers or panels.

To appreciate the full beauty of our Panels, use one for each window 27" to 48" wide. They can be used alone or with top treatments, either lace or fabric. You can hang them to the sill, below the sill, to the floor, or puddled on the floor. If you would like to tie them back, you will need 2 panels.

Bay Windows:

If your bay has the narrow windows on the ends with a wider window in the center, the swag pair is a good choice. The left piece goes in the left bay and the right piece in the right bay. The valance/insert or festoon goes in the center. This keeps the fullness pretty even.

Style & Design:

On our left side navigation bar, we have general Style Groups to help you find the patterns that will fit your style.  Please keep in mind that these are not written in stone and most patterns will adapt to almost any style category. Much depends on your furnishings and what you wish to highlight.

Our laces are either new designs or reproduction designs. Whichever you choose, they will be exceptional designs, suit their purpose, and serve you well for many years.

Scottish lace curtains are all reproductions from lace archives. The Rennie and Wisteria belong in the Arts & Crafts style, or even Art Deco. Our other patterns will do well in any country, traditional or Victorian setting. Long curtain panels lend towards a more formal setting, while sill length is more casual.

Please call or email with questions.
We look forward to hearing from you.