If you accidentally bought a set that is too long, you're probably not in a rush to replace them.You're not very excited about seeing your curtains on the floor when you walk into the room.You don't have to sew your curtains unless you want to, and there are a few simple solutions to get them to the perfect length.
Step 1: Attach curtain clips to hooks or rings.
There is a small alligator clip on the bottom of the curtain clips.It really depends on the look you're going for.You can use as many or as few clips as you'd like, but in general, using more clips will give your curtains a more luxurious look.If you use fewer clips, your curtains might look stretched out.The spacing is super easy with the use of 9 clips per panel.Purchase heavy-duty curtain clips if your curtains are heavy.To see how much weight each clip can support, check the packaging or online product listing.
Step 2: The curtains should be the right length if the top of the curtain is folded over.
Measure the length of your curtains, then fold them over.The fold needs to go toward the back of the curtain.You will not be able to see the fold from the front, so don't worry about ruining the look of your curtains.If your curtain has tabs for the rod, cut them off with scissors.When the sun shines through, the tabs can be seen through the curtain.
Step 3: Attach the curtain clips to the fold.
If you're using 9 clips per panel, you don't have to measure to make sure the clips are straight.Start by putting a clip on either end of the curtains.1 more clip will be added halfway between the center and the left.You should have at least 5.For a total of 9 clips, place each one halfway between the ones already in place.Don't use too many clips, make sure they're evenly distributed.Some parts of your curtains are too taut.
Step 4: The curtain rod has rings or hooks on it.
Feed the rod through each ring individually and then mount it on the brackets.You don't need to take the curtain rod down if your clips are attached to hooks.If you want to keep your curtains from sliding too far when you close them, place the last ring or hook outside of the brackets on your curtain rod.
Step 5: The care label has ironing instructions.
Synthetic fabrics will melt if you iron them, while other materials need low heat so they don't get burned.If the tag doesn't say anything about ironing, you should look for a symbol that looks like an iron on a computer keyboard.It's safe to use any heat setting on your iron.The lowest heat setting is used by the symbol with 1 dot.The symbol uses medium heat.The highest heat setting is used by the symbol with 3 dots.Do not iron this fabric if you have a symbol with an X.Try using curtain clips to adjust the length, instead of creating a rod pocket.
Step 6: Make sure the curtains are the right length by folding the bottom of them.
There are two ways to do this.The easiest way to hang the curtains is to fold them under.You can measure the length from the top of the curtain rod down to the floor.It's a good idea to fold the fabric under or toward the back of the curtains.If you're measuring, make marks with a fabric pen, then fold the bottom of the curtains under to match the measurement.If the curtains will be hanging from clips or hooks, be sure to account for that.If you're folding the curtains, you don't have to measure them.Excess fabric may be left for curtains that are too long.If you don't want to cut the curtains, you can make 2 or 3 folds so the excess material is tucked in neatly.
Step 7: Put the hem into place.
Straight pins are slid through the fabric to secure the curtains.Don't worry if they show through the front of the curtains, because you'll take these pins out later.Sometimes curtains are longer on one side than the other.Measure from the top down in several spots along the curtain's width to make sure the length is even.If you're worried about pins falling out, use safety pins.
Step 8: Remove pins as you iron the fold to make a crease.
Place your folded hem on the ironing board and heat it.Don't iron over the pins since they could grab the fabric, but slowly run the iron along the bottom fold.If you used straight pins with plastic heads, be sure to remove them all as the plastic will melt.If you put the ironing board under the window where the curtains are hanging, you won't have to take them down.If you had to fold the curtain more than once, you need to iron both the top and bottom.Even without the pins, ironing the crease will help keep the fold in place.
Step 9: Attach the strip of iron-on hem tape to the folded hem.
If you're going to trim the excess fabric, keep the tape close to the bottom of the fold.If you fold the curtain several times, place the tape closer to the top crease so it won't fall down.If the tape touches the iron, it will make a sticky mess.If the whole hem won't fit on the ironing board at the same time, it's okay to work in sections.It's fine if you use a sewing machine.Even if you don't have any sewing skills, iron-on hem tape will allow you to get a neat hem.
Step 10: Lift the iron to secure the tape.
Press down on the hem tape for 1-2 seconds, then lift the iron straight up.Move the iron over to the next part of the glue.Continue until you reach the end of the curtain.Make sure the fabric is completely covered by the glue.The iron will stick to the iron plate if it touches the hem tape.The heat will cause the glue to stick to both sides of the fabric.Use a lifting and pressing motion.The fabric could stick if you put the iron over the puck.
Step 11: If you want, trim the excess fabric.
If you left a lot of fabric folded up, you can trim it with fabric shears.Cut slowly so you get a straight line, but don't stress too much because the raw edge will be on the back of the curtains.
Step 12: The curtain should be folded from the top.
The pocket shouldn't show if the fabric is folded toward the back of the curtain.After you glue down the first layer of fabric, you can make two folds and still have a pocket for the curtain rod.If you already have a rod pocket in your curtains, fold it over once and you'll have it when you finish.Make sure the fold you create is at least twice the width of the curtain rod you're planning to use.This will make it easy to mount the curtain when you're done.You can either measure the distance or look at it.If your curtains don't have a rod pocket and you only want to fold them over once, leave a 1 in ( 2.5 cm) seam allowance.
Step 13: Place pins in the pocket.
You can either use safety pins or slide straight pins through the bottom of the fold.You can slide the rod through the pocket if you leave it open.If you want to stop here, it's fine if you're just looking for a temporary fix.Hang the curtains on the curtain rod.
Step 14: If you want a no-sew fix, place hem tape under the bottom fold.
In front of you, place a section of the curtain on the ironing board.Place a strip of iron-on hem tape between the curtain and the innermost fold you made after removing a few pins.If the glue sticks to the iron plate, it will make a big mess.If you prefer to work slowly, you can use a heavy-duty sewing machine.If you want the pocket to be open, you need to sew along the bottom of the fold.
Step 15: To protect it, iron the hem tape.
Hold the iron in place for 1-2 seconds by pressing it down over the folded fabric.Lift the iron up.This will make the hem tape stick to the fabric.Continue pressing and lifting until you finish the section, then repeat for the next section all the way down the curtain.Before you iron your curtain fabric, make sure you check the care tag.Since you won't be pressing the iron to the fabric very long, you can just place a cloth between the curtains and iron and test it on low heat.
Step 16: You made a pocket.
There is a gap between the second and third layers.Run the curtain rod through the gap in your rod pocket.You can hang your curtains like normal.