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Super Contributor
Posts: 458
Registered: ‎02-21-2012

Help with curtains that are too long

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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 24,944
Registered: ‎10-03-2011

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

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

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,341
Registered: ‎04-19-2010

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

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. {#emotions_dlg.laugh}


-- pro-aging --


Rochester, New York
Super Contributor
Posts: 537
Registered: ‎03-28-2012

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

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!
Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,450
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

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.

Super Contributor
Posts: 1,594
Registered: ‎10-08-2010

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

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.
Contributor
Posts: 55
Registered: ‎03-23-2010

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,510
Registered: ‎05-23-2010

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

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.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,180
Registered: ‎04-10-2012

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

I think Mindy may mean something similar, ....like taking up the needed amount at the top casing, pinning ,then tacking by hand?
Super Contributor
Posts: 449
Registered: ‎01-23-2011

Re: Help with curtains that are too long

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?

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