When curtains appear too long, try sewing a hem, which can allow you to shorten curtains without cutting curtains to length so you can retain the fabric if you want to. Another way of shortening curtains is to incorporate a folded design with buttons as fasteners. Folding the curtain hem up creates a double hem.
While the curtains are still hanging, fold the bottom of the curtains under to the desired length. Use the stick pins to hold, to keep it folded and in place. Bring the curtain bottom up to the ironing board and iron a crease on the new fold. Cut off excess curtain a couple of inches past the fold and remove the pins.
Shorten the Top
You can shorten these without a permanent hem by folding the top over toward the back of the curtain. Use safety pins to secure the fold down to create a new pocket to slide the rod into. If you pin only into the lining of the curtain, the pins won't show on the front of the curtain.
Fold the top of the curtain over so the curtains are the right length. Measure the length you want your curtains to be, then fold them over from the top. Make sure the fold goes toward the back of the curtain. Don't worry about spoiling the look of your curtains—you won't be able to see the fold from the front!
Place the tape at the bottom of the curtain with the glue side against the wrong side of the fabric. Iron, then remove the protective paper. Turn down the fabric at the desired hem length and iron again. Turn down the fabric at the desired hem length and iron.
Standard floor-length curtains should have a three to four-inch hem, plus another three to four inches for the double fold. Your curtains should then be six to eight inches longer than where you place your pins.
The easiest way to do this would be to mark off 1½ inch (3.81 centimeters) at the top and bottom of your curtain, and then to fold it. Use sewing pins to hold the hem down. Fold the hem inward twice by 1½ inch (3.81 centimeters). Be sure to press the hem with an iron each time.
The 'Norm' if you like, would be to have a 3 inch (7.5cm) hem. However if you are making curtains that are quite large or long, you may find that a 4 inch (10cm) hem gives proportionately better appearance. Or, if your curtains are going to be quite short, hemming them with a 2 inch (5cm) hem would be sufficient.
Ideally suited for hemming dresses, skirts, trousers and curtains without the need for sewing, this pack of Wundaweb is available in a 20 metre roll.
Short curtains. Short curtains and drapes are not ideal, and most often you don't want curtains that hang more than an inch above the ground. Too short curtains can not only look outdated, but they can also sometimes make the ceiling look lower.
Use a straight stitch and adjust the stitch length to 3mm. 5. Place the fabric, right side up, under the presser foot and sew at a slow speed to create a beautiful hem.
Cross stitch, also known as the catch stitch, is a hand sewing technique typically used for hemming garments or tacking interfacing and other fabrics to one another.
Sill Length
These are the shortest of the standard curtain lengths, which makes them a good opportunity to have some fun with pattern or color. Since they take up less visual space, you won't get tired of a bold choice.
Standard curtains come in three lengths—84 inches, 96 inches, or 108 inches. "Generally, you want to stay away from the 84 inch standard curtains unless you have very low ceilings. They don't look right in most scenarios and end up being an awkward length," says Curtis.
The answer to this question is important because it can affect the way we do our decorations. Yes, curtains should be long enough to touch the floor. With a few exceptions, the longer the curtains are the more stylish and elegant it will look. This is why most standard ready-made curtains are lengthy.
The Easiest (No Sew) Way to Hem IKEA Curtains – Fold and Pin Your Curtains. Once your curtains are opened up, take the bottom inch of your curtains and fold it upwards. If you want your fold to stay in place, hit it lightly with your iron.
Cut Your Curtains
Once you have measured your new hem and pinned it out, cut off the excess curtain using fabric scissors by following the pinned line.