How To Make Curtains Longer Without Sewing
Are those beautiful curtains you hung from the windows looking a bit too short? It’s time to look for easy ways to lengthen them.
When curtains are too short, they make the room look awkward, stubby, and short. They reduce the length of the wall, which makes both the windows and the rooms look smaller. So, why would you compromise with shorter curtains that do not flatter your room?
Read on to know how to make curtains longer without sewing. Let’s get started!
How To Make Curtains Longer Without Sewing?
Contents
You can make the curtains longer in one of the two ways. Firstly, you can use curtain rings to get the curtains to their ideal length. Secondly, you can rely on an iron-on hem tape to add a lace trim along the edges of the curtains. Before trying out any of these two methods, make sure you figure out the length that you are looking for in your curtains. The idea is to make the curtains end up a bit above the floor or touch the floor.
There are a few easy ways that can help you in lengthening curtains that are too short to be good. Now, you can try out either if you want the curtains to be only a bit longer. Or, you can go for both if those curtains need to be longer by several inches. Let’s start with the easiest method.
Purchase Curtain Rings Of The Right Size
Curtain rings are the ones to go for in order to add a number of inches to the curtains. As such, they will get you the required length to make your curtains touch the floor or end just above it.
If the curtain rings at your neighborhood store are too expensive, look online to find great options that are affordable but get the job done.
So, if you are searching online, you will notice that most of the curtain rings come in one of the two sizes – 1.5 inches or 2 inches. You can opt for two-inch rings if you want only a tiny addition of extra length on the curtains. Also, do not forget to look at the width of the curtain rods because the rings will have to fit on that rod easily.
While using the clips, you’ll put those rings on the curtain rods after getting the finial off. The finial refers to the decorative end or the ball at the end of the curtain rod. Now, hang the curtains from the clips.
You will need at least seven clips placed on every panel, and even a few more in case the panel is really wide. It is also important to place an odd number of curtain clips for the purpose of spacing.
So, if you are using seven clips, place a clip at each end of the panel, another in the middle, and the other two right in between the middle and end clips. Now, do the same for that other panel. Finally, reattach your finial and get the curtains hanging from the rod.
Now, if your curtain is long enough, your job here is done. But if it is still falling short, you need to resort to another simple fix.
Redoing The Seam At The Bottom
It is not as complicated as it sounds. After all, this one is a no-sew tutorial put together to make things easy for you.
The bottom seam found on the curtains is generally a large piece of fabric that gets folded over (first fold). Then, a small amount of fabric from the edge of the first fold is folded again and sewn to make the second fold. The idea is to get the seam undone to make a new seam where only a small amount of fabric gets folded over.
If it still sounds confusing to you, read on and you will understand how to do it.
You need to make the seam come undone (the stitches in place of the second fold) using a seam ripper. After this, get the first fold opened such that the fabric has only one-fold in it. It will let the fabric with just the second fold and no stitches.
So, there are two methods that you can use to redo that bottom seam where the first fold is at. Now, the first method is to sew the curtains using a sewing machine. One straight line of stitches placed along the fabric can get the job done. However, this is not a sewing tutorial, so we will move on to the other method.
Using Hem Tape To Lengthen Shorter Curtains
In order to use hem tape to lengthen the curtains, you need the following supplies:
- Curtains
- Hem tape
- Trim of any type
- Seam ripper
- Damp cloth
- Iron and ironing board
Step 1. Remove that bottom hem from the curtain panel carefully using your seam ripper. If your curtains snag easily, taking out the bottom hem would take some time.
Step 2. After ripping the seam out, take the curtains to the ironing board. Then, get the steam setting on, and press the previous hem open.
Step 3. With those curtains rehung and their hem removed, you need to measure what should be the additional length to make them hit the floor. You can buy a lace trim as per that measurement, and you’ll love the results.
Let’s get to the main part now! Take the hem tape and place it over the raw edges of your curtain. Then, lay the trim over that.
Step 4. Take one damp piece of cloth and place that carefully over the lace trim. Keep pressing for five to ten seconds while the steam setting is on. You need to press and not slide that iron. Continue doing the process all through the panel.
Step 5. After the first row of that lace goes on, repeat the same process with the other row. You can layer three separate layers of lace in the end, and you will love the look. Additionally, you can leave the edges of the lace raw.
In case you are looking for a finished and clean outcome, simply wrap those edges completely around and press it the exact same way. After the curtains are hung, you will not even pay attention to those raw edges.
Ideal Length Of Your Curtains
The proper length of the curtains might vary, even though there are three accepted practices.
Your curtains can either:
- Hang right above your floor (within about an inch of your floor)
- Graze your floor (just kiss or touch it)
- Puddle up on the floor
The first two choices will not really alter the look of your room too much. So, in all honesty, you will not have to pay extra attention to whether your curtains are touching the floor or stay an inch off your floor.
The most popular option is the second one, i.e., grazing your floor. It will make the curtains look like an interior designer came right in and made those curtains for your room.
There is no need to stress if you cannot get the perfect curtains grazing the floor. Basically, no one notices if the curtains hang less than one inch over the floor or graze the floor.
The final option, i.e., curtains puddling on the floor, gets you a lush and decadent look. It looks gorgeous, but you cannot achieve it by any of the lengthening methods mentioned here. You will need to resort to sewing in order to get the curtains to puddle on the floor.
What Are The Standard Sizes For The Curtains?
Curtains usually come in standard lengths of either 108 inches, 95 inches, 84 inches, or 63 inches. Though the industry offers a number of options in terms of curtain lengths, at times you need curtains that are a bit longer than any of the options. There are quite a few reasons why the curtains might be extra short.
Maybe you have moved recently, and your present curtains perfectly fit your old windows, but certainly not the new ones. Or, maybe you have recently learnt that curtains need to hang wide and high, and so you are trying to change the placement of the present curtain rods.
It can also be a scenario where you bought the curtains that are in your budget, but seem a little too short for the windows. There is no denying that curtains are expensive, and the cheaper choices are usually shorter in length. At least some or all of the scenarios might apply to you at one time or another.
Thus, it helps to have a clear idea about how to make the curtains longer.
Wrapping up
As you can see, you do not need to be a sewing expert to get the curtains of your home to be of the right length. Try the techniques discussed above, and you will get curtains that look beautiful and hang perfectly.
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
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