Curtain & Soft Furnishings
Tapestries, patterned and plain fabrics for curtains, upholstery and home projects.

Velvet
Rich, soft velvet for curtains, cushions and statement upholstery.

Linen
Natural and linen-look fabrics for relaxed curtains, blinds and table linen.

All curtain fabrics are covered by free UK delivery on orders over £30, with 48 hour tracked shipping as standard.

Curtain Fabric FAQs

How much fabric do I need for curtains?

To work out how much curtain fabric you need, multiply the width of your track or pole by the fullness your heading requires, divide by the fabric width to find the number of widths, then multiply by your finished length plus allowances.

Most headings need between 1.5 and 2.5 times the track width for a full, gathered look, with pencil pleats typically at the fuller end and eyelets at the lower end. Add around 20 to 30cm to each drop for the heading and hem, and if your fabric has a pattern, add one pattern repeat per drop so the design lines up across the curtains. Round up to the nearest full width, as a partial width rarely hangs well.

When you order more than one metre of the same fabric, The Cheap Shop cuts it as one continuous length from the roll. If you’d like help with your calculations, contact our team before you order.

What is panama fabric?

Panama is a medium-weight cotton or cotton blend fabric with a soft, even weave, making it a popular choice for curtains, blinds, cushions and lightweight soft furnishings.

Panama drapes well without being too heavy, which makes it easy to sew at home and suitable for lined or unlined curtains. It is often printed with bold designs, from botanical and floral patterns to coastal and woodland themes. Our range includes William Morris Panama in Victorian-style botanical prints, plus designs such as On The Seashore and Woodland Rovers.

Panama is also a great choice for matching cushions and blinds to your curtains. Browse the full curtain fabric range at The Cheap Shop and order by the half metre or metre.

What does “matching selvedges” mean on curtain fabric?

Matching selvedges means the pattern at one edge of the fabric lines up with the pattern at the other edge, so several widths can be joined side by side with the design continuing seamlessly across the seam.

This matters for wide windows, where you need more than one width of fabric in each curtain. Without matching selvedges, joining widths can leave the pattern visibly broken at the seams. Our William Morris Panama has matching selvedges at both edges, making it much easier to make curtains that need several drops of fabric.

Not sure whether a design will join neatly for your window? Ask The Cheap Shop team, or visit our shop in Tiptree, Essex, to see the fabrics in person.

What is tapestry fabric used for?

Tapestry fabric is a heavy, densely woven fabric used for cushions, upholstery, footstools, bags and heavier curtains, where durability and rich texture are important.

The woven construction gives tapestry a firm, substantial feel that holds its shape and stands up well to everyday use. Bold floral and botanical designs make it ideal for statement cushions or re-covering a favourite chair or footstool. Our range includes Sunflower Heavy Tapestry, Joyful Flower Garden Heavy Tapestry and Strawberry Jam Gingham Heavy Tapestry.

Making cushions to match? Pick up cushion pads and supplies from our cushions and kits range at The Cheap Shop.

Can I use curtain fabric for upholstery?

Heavier curtain fabrics such as tapestry and printed velvet can be used for light upholstery projects like footstools, dining chair seats and headboards, while lighter panamas are better suited to curtains and cushions.

For upholstery, choose a fabric with a firm weave that won’t stretch or wear quickly under regular use. In the UK, upholstered furniture that is sold or supplied must meet the fire safety requirements of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, so if you’re upholstering furniture to sell, check that your fabric and fillings comply or use a suitable fire-retardant interliner.

For home projects, our heavy tapestries and printed velvets are popular choices. Contact The Cheap Shop if you’d like advice on the best fabric for your piece.