topic Re: Help with curtains that are too long in Home

Help with curtains that are too long

cookie16 — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:51:18 GMT

I recently purchased curtains, 84" length, for my living room. I have always used this length with no problems but these new ones seem to be overly long by maybe 2-3". I don't want to raise my rods because when I change to others, which I do approx. 3 times a year, I will then have to lower them again. I also don't want to have to take them down and hem them because I don't have a sewing machine. They would be ok with a little puddling but I have a cat that will play in them and probably make holes in the fabric. Is there any product that I could use to shorten the length but not remove from windows? Something that would be invisible and also easy to do. Since they are in the living room, I don't want them to look make-shift. I have six panels to do this for. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 19:00:29 GMT

Kind of a tall order. Return them and get different ones that are the right length.

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

Peaches McPhee — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 19:01:29 GMT

Fusing tape might work, but you'd have to remove them.

I can't think of anything that would work without removing them from the window. Other than masking tape or staples.

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

Theoriginallacey — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 19:16:40 GMT

They sell fabric tape at craft and sewing stores that I used to hem some curtains I had that were too long. Be careful when applying it. Once you put it down it's stuck!

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

DoneTryin — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 19:16:52 GMT

You could probably use the iron-on hem tape while they're still hanging, if you're willing to take a lot of time doing it small section by small section. Otherwise, the previously mentioned tape or maybe a lot of safety pins equally spaced across the hem, if the pins wouldn't harm the fabric by leaving holes. If all else fails, raise the roof.

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

Cyndog — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 19:29:36 GMT

If they're up for looks and not privacy, you could use tie backs and blouson them up a few inches. That's all I can think of other than what others have said.

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

RickyRocky — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 01:52:15 GMT

I'm not sure how you have them hanging, but maybe you could use some tie-backs to pull them up a bit. You could kind of blouse them over the tie-backs, if that makes any sense.

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

Mindy D — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 05:28:15 GMT

Iron on hemming tape. Grab a table, a towel, the hemming tape and your iron. You can use hem clips or some other way to keep the hems even. Lift the panel, place atop the small table with a towel between the curtain fabric and the iron. Fold the bottom so you can see the back side if the drapes. Use the hem clips or some way to fold and mark your measurements on the fabric back. Now just iron on. I have also done this by hand-sewing hems with the drapes still hanging. Sometimes reversing which is the hem and which is the top allows you to add or subtract inches from the length.

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

Azcowgirl — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 07:01:44 GMT

I think Mindy may mean something similar, ....like taking up the needed amount at the top casing, pinning ,then tacking by hand?

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

ThinkOutsidetheBox — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 09:26:22 GMT

Style Snaps or Snap n Hem would be perfect for your purpose. Particularly for your drapes, since you are likely to set them and leave them for a while. Do a Google. Also, perhaps with something like this (http://www.amazon.com/STAINLESS-STEEL-RULER-HEM-CLIPS/dp/B00528IGRE) to help get the length just so while the curtains are still hanging?

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

qualitygal — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 09:55:07 GMT

Hem them.

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

ID2 — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 11:44:11 GMT

Ok I'll bite....why on earth do you change your curtains 3 times a year??

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

Cyndog — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 18:08:29 GMT

Maybe heavier curtains in winter for drafty windows.

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

Abrowneyegirl — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 17:18:26 GMT

On 4/5/2014 ThinkOutsideTheBox said: Style Snaps or Snap n Hem would be perfect for your purpose. Particularly for your drapes, since you are likely to set them and leave them for a while. Do a Google. Also, perhaps with something like this (http://www.amazon.com/STAINLESS-STEEL-RULER-HEM-CLIPS/dp/B00528IGRE) to help get the length just so while the curtains are still hanging?

This is a GREAT idea! Wish I thought of it!

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

Annabellethecat66 — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 17:20:42 GMT

Get some fabric glue at the fabric store. You can glue the hem. If you have the right kind of iron, first pin the hems, then put a crease in them with an iron and then glue them.

It won't take long. Try the glue in the corner first to make sure you like the look. Or you could try the glue on a piece of fabric.

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

sarpy — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 12:25:47 GMT

Just let them puddle. If your cat damages them it will be down low and no one will see it. You don't need to stress on it.