FAQ | Sewing curtains free of charge

Custom made curtains at no extra charge are especially popular among end customers. You only pay for the linear meters of the fabric! Retailers pay a small service charge, see pricelist. We are happy to provide a detailed offer including seam allowances. Please let us know the type of fabric, dimensions, type of hanging system and your address details per phone under +49 8531/410790 or per email to info@yshield.de

Tipps for fabric selection:

Our curtains made of shielding fabrics are an elegant solution for shielding windows from high-frequency electromagnetic waves. We offer a selection of different fabrics made from cotton, polyester, nylon, Trevira or mixed fabrics which vary in color, fabric width and transparency. To give you an idea of the transparency, the pictures on our website show the fabric on a black and white substrate. We offer a free sample card set with small samples of all fabrics or larger samples (approx. 10 x 15 cm) of up to five fabrics.

Each fabric has specific properties. Cotton fabrics, for example, can shrink up to 15% during the first wash and are prone to wrinkles. Polyester fabrics, on the other hand, are crease-resistant and do not shrink. Silver fabrics are prone to the typical silver discoloration, which is sometimes even visible from the roll. We would be happy to advise you on the properties of the fabrics you are considering.

Which service is for free?

• Curtains with a curtain tape on top and a lead weight at the bottom.
• Curtains with a tunnel on top and a lead weight at the bottom.
• Ideally, the curtains have a rectangular shape. However, we also try to sew other shapes or wishes (e.g. hook-and-loop fasteners) upon request.
• Curtains with several loops are not free of charge, for these we charge 35,- Euro net per curtain due to the additional work involved.

Fabric widths

As soon as you have decided what type of fabric you want to use, we can calculate the fabric required for your desired dimension. Our shielding fabrics have widths from 130 cm to 260 cm. We can use the width either as height or width of a curtain. The height and width of a single curtain depends on the fabric width. As regards width, about 10 cm will be lost for the hem at the sides. As regards height, about 15 cm will be lost due to the heading tape and the lead weight, approximately 18 cm with a tunnel at the top. If the fabric width is not sufficient to achieve the curtain's width, a second or even third panel can be sewn on. Please always specify the desired width, including the desired drape: For light gathering, you can multiply the width by 1.5, for medium gathering by 1.7, or for deep gathering double the width. We do not gather the curtain tape. You can adjust the folds on-site to achieve the desired look.

Please always indicate whether you prefer a hem or a lead weight at the bottom. A weighted band will make the curtain look more elegant.

We would be happy to send you samples images so you can compare the designs with curtain tape or tunnel or loops.

Examples for fabric calculations

Height of the curtain is planned to be 230 cm, width 400 cm

• With NATURELL fabric (250 cm wide) we can produce the height from the fabric width and take the width from the running meters. Fabric requirement = 410 cm (width + 10 cm seam allowance). A height of up to approximately 235 cm can be produced from a fabric width of 250 cm, sometimes even a little more, depending on the actual width of the fabric batch we have in stock.
• With SILVER-TULLE fabric (130 cm wide), we need to take the height from the linear meters and sew several panels together to create the widht, leaving visible seams. Fabric requirement = 980 cm. A cut-off piece that is left from the width, will be included and sent to to together with the curtain. Alternatively, separate curtains can be made and hung overlapping, each approximately 120 cm wide.

You do not need to indicate any seam allowances in your order, we calculate those in our sewing department. However, you will need to factor the gathers into the width calculation. Please provide the desired height and final width of the curtain(s) - measured flat. If you need assistance in calculating the measures of your curtain(s), we will be happy to advise you!

Curtain tape on top

When using a hanging system with curtain tape (also called header tape or pleat tape or similar), you will need to consider the length of the hooks you attach to the tape. You need a specific distance between the fabric edge and the middle of the curtain tape to ensure that the curtain sits flush below the curtain rail (this is called head). Our curtain tape standard is sewn on with a standard of 2.5 cm distance. If you are using a special hanging system with longer or shorter hooks, we can adjust the head accordingly.

Front side / Back side

Some fabrics (e.g. Silver-Twin, Steel-Twin) have a light front side and a dark back side with metal threads. By default, the light side faces the room. Please let us know if you would like to hang the fabric the other way round.

Dimensions / Size accuracy

We understand your stated dimensions as final dimensions (sewn curtains incl. heading tape or drawstring, hemmed edges, etc.). It is not possible to sew to the millimeter. For most fabrics we achieve a size accuracy of +/- 2 cm. However, stretchy fabrics (e.g. Silver-Tulle, Silver-Elastic) are more difficult to sew, the deviation can be up to +/- 5 cm with elastic fabrics.

Optimizing shielding

Generally, we consider the shielding quality as more important than a perfect optic.

• Curtains should cover the full height of the room and touch the floor if possible. 
• Curtains should cover the window sills or rest on it. Curtains in front of doors must touch the floor if possible. If the fabrics do not cover enough space, radiation may penetrate the room through the gaps. 
• Window openings should always be covered by 20 to 40 cm, which means shielding curtains should also cover the wall around the window frame. The most effective shielding is achieved if a shielding curtain is installed with overlap in front of a shielded wall (for example with shielding paint or shielding wallpapers).
• Curtains should always be installed as close to the wall as possible. The larger the gap, the more electromagnetic radiation may get through it.
• To avoid heat buildup and reduce discolorations of the fabric, curtains should not touch radiators or heating systems or hang too close to heated surfaces.

Please also note:

• If you would like to have curtains made by your local sewing shop and purchase the fabric off the roll, you or your seamstresses will need to calculate the fabric requirements yourself, as additional fabric allowances may be required for hemming.
• Please note that custom-made curtains are exempt from the right of withdrawal, they cannot be returned or exchanged.
• Please check the dimension and design immediately upon receipt. Later complaints cannot be accepted.
• Shielding fabrics are sensitive to frequent movement, bending, folding or rubbing. The less the fabric is moved, the longer the shielding attenuation will last.
• For the care of our shielding fabrics, we recommend using only our special TEXCARE detergent, which does not contain any enzymes or bleaching agents.
  

We are happy to answer any question you may have about the fabric selection and calculating fabric requirements!