Step 5: Obtain a Fabric Estimate

Before ordering fabric, speak to your curtain maker or soft furnishings specialist.

The amount of fabric required depends on:

• Window width
• Window drop
• Curtain heading style
• Pattern repeat
• Fullness requirements
• Whether the curtains are lined or interlined

Tartan fabrics often require additional material to ensure the pattern aligns correctly across curtain panels.

An experienced curtain maker will be able to calculate your exact requirement, helping to avoid both shortages and unnecessary over-ordering.

Step 6: Order with Confidence

Once you have chosen your preferred tartan and confirmed your fabric quantity, you can order knowing the fabric has already been tested in the environment where it will be used.

This simple process greatly reduces uncertainty and helps ensure the finished curtains look exactly as you imagined.

How to Choose Tartan Curtain Fabric

Choosing tartan curtain fabric is rarely about selecting a pattern online and ordering immediately. Tartan changes dramatically depending on lighting, room size and surrounding colours. Taking a little time to evaluate samples in your own home can make all the difference to the final result.

Step 1: Order Fabric Samples

The first and most important step is to order samples of the tartans you are considering.

Colours displayed on monitors and mobile phones can vary significantly from the actual fabric. A tartan that appears warm and rich on screen may look cooler in your living room, while subtle colours can sometimes appear much stronger in person.

Samples also allow you to experience:

• The scale of the pattern
• The blend of colours
• The texture of the fabric
• How the tartan works alongside existing furnishings

Rather than relying on photographs alone, viewing actual fabric samples is the most reliable way to make a confident choice.

Step 2: View Samples Throughout the Day

Many people make the mistake of looking at a sample once and making a decision immediately.

Instead, place the sample in the room where the curtains will be used and view it at different times of day.

Morning Light

Colours often appear brighter and cooler in morning daylight.

Afternoon Light

Natural daylight reveals the truest appearance of most fabrics.

Evening Light

As daylight fades, deeper colours and stronger patterns can become more prominent.

Artificial Lighting

Lamps, LEDs and warm bulbs can completely transform the appearance of a tartan. A fabric that looks perfect in daylight may feel entirely different under evening lighting.

Take several days if possible. The best tartan is usually the one you continue to like regardless of changing light conditions.

Step 3: Consider the Scale of the Pattern

Tartan designs can look very different when made into full curtains.

A large-scale tartan may become a dramatic focal point in a room, while smaller checks can create a more subtle and traditional appearance.

When reviewing samples, try to imagine the tartan across the full width and height of your window rather than focusing solely on the small sample itself.