How to hem curtains and tulle to the desired length

In the modern world, it is impossible to imagine a cozy apartment without curtains covering the windows. They bring a special mood to the room, keep warm, protect from sunlight during the day and prying eyes in the evening. Curtains give beauty, allowing you to hide some of the flaws of the walls, radiators or window frames.

But it happens that for various reasons (for example, when moving) you have to shorten the curtains because their length no longer suits you. This article describes in detail some simple ways to shorten curtains without scissors. Even a beginner without sewing education can handle this job!

How to Shorten Curtains Without Cutting Them

Before you start working, ask yourself one most important question: "Do you need to shorten the curtains at all?" More often than not, the answer is positive - "yes." It is understandable, no housewife would want a large amount of dust to accumulate in the lower part of her beautiful curtains, which touches the floor, which stains the curtains and can cause severe allergies in small children. Another most popular question: "Why can't you just cut the fabric with scissors? Why bother and come up with ways to shorten them without cutting?"

The answer is very simple. If you cut the fabric, the canvas will no longer be whole and there will be no way to return the original length, but in the opposite case, this option remains, which is very convenient and profitable. In addition, after cutting with scissors, an ugly edge remains, which can not only spoil the entire appearance, but also begin to crumble. Let's look at some options for shortening curtains without using scissors.

There are several general rules for all types of hemming and shortening curtains.

• Choose a thread that matches the fabric exactly. On many materials, a straight stitch will be virtually invisible.
• For those materials that fray a lot, it is worth processing the edges before shortening. This is easy to do, sew the edges on a sewing machine using a zigzag stitch.
• Double hemming can be used for almost all cases. However, it is not suitable for hemming or shortening curtains with lining.
• The hem of the fabric requires mandatory basting. This can be done manually. Make long stitches, additionally using pins.
• After you have swept the fabric, iron the hem as carefully as possible to avoid any distortions or extra folds.

How to hem curtains on a sewing machine, instructions, methods.

If you have a sewing machine at home, even the most ordinary or Soviet one, then you can do any kind of sewing work, and even a beginner and inexperienced craftswoman who does not have specialized education as a seamstress will easily figure out how to neatly hem curtains on a sewing machine.

This method will suit you if you suspect that the fabric will start to crumble and creep after washing. The difficulty of this method is that it requires a frequent stitch pitch.

The method is very simple, it will be enough to know how to turn on the machine, insert the thread into the needle and pass the thread under the foot. Even if this information is new to you, you can look in the instructions or search on the Internet.

The algorithm of actions is as follows.

• Before you start working, take measurements of the required length. To do this, attach a measuring tape to the curtain rod and pull it to the place where you would like the curtains to end. Then fold the fabric so that you get the required length. Then we start shortening.
• The seam length should be from 0.3 to 0.7 centimeters. This is the best option, which will look as unnoticeable and aesthetically pleasing as possible.
• There is no need to do any processing or fixing manipulations at the beginning and end of the line. Just tie the threads together and you're done!

Hem curtains with your own hands without a machine. Instructions

But not every housewife has a sewing machine at home, and this device is relatively expensive to buy it all at once and only to shorten the curtains, especially since this can be done manually and even in several ways!

• Before you start working, take all the necessary measurements. Use a tape measure, a piece of soap or chalk for this purpose. Then spread the fabric on the floor or another flat and hard surface.
• Once all the necessary marks have been made, fold the edges of the curtain.
• Secure the resulting hem with needles or pins.
• Use thin needles that do not leave behind large holes.
• Take your time, hem as evenly and neatly as possible.
• At the beginning and end of the line, leave small ends of thread, literally two to three centimeters.

How to shorten tulle

Sometimes, tulle also has to be shortened. This is especially true for kitchens, where it is common to cover windows with short curtains, and in houses with low ceilings. You don’t always want to cut the curtains, leaving unsightly raw edges, but there is a way out! Curtains can always be shortened without cutting, you just need to use your imagination, because this is a rather creative and very interesting activity.

How to do it without cutting or hemming, the secret of housewives on how to make the required length.

There are also cases in life when there is no sewing machine, and you really don’t want to sew by hand. Don’t worry, housewives, there are also several simple “lazy” methods for you that definitely won’t require additional costs or a lot of effort and time.

For housewives who do not particularly want to form draperies and folds on the tulle, there is one very simple and effective way to shorten the curtains. It is worth understanding that this method is only suitable for thin, flowing fabrics. This number will not work with thick curtains. It is worth warning that this method is very extravagant and will not suit every interior.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• Place the tulle on the curtain rod and leave it overnight or for a day so that the fabric takes the desired shape.
• Thread a thick thread of wool or nylon into a gypsy needle with a wide eye; it is desirable that it be as close as possible to the color of the curtain.
• Using a thread, roll the tulle into a medium-density roll, starting from the middle of the fabric, gradually moving towards the edges.
• Secure the resulting tulle roll with threads tied into knots. They can be of any color.

They are relatively inexpensive and allow you to shorten the length of the tulle without hemming or cutting. There is a large selection of magnets for curtains on sale, they can be in the form of butterflies, animals, flowers, or they can be ordinary and almost invisible. But housewives who decide to use this method may face a problem. Some magnets may be too weak and not hold the curtains. So be careful and always check the magnets before buying. This will save you from unnecessary expenses.

As a result, you will get beautiful and unusual draperies and folds.

If you couldn't find magnets for curtains in your city, then use hairpins, clips, pins and needles instead. But be careful, they can easily damage the fabric or prick you.

Using adhesive tape and an iron

One of the simplest, and most importantly, quickest ways to shorten curtains is sticky tape. It is also called cobweb.

In addition to the curtains themselves, the adhesive tape "spider web" and the iron, you will also need two pins or needles, a sheet of A4 paper, an ironing board and a damp foam sponge.

Take a fabric that matches the curtains in density as much as possible. A piece of 20 by 20 centimeters will be enough. This is necessary to make sure that the web is glued and not to accidentally ruin the curtains. When you are sure that the web is completely dry and glued, sharply pull the edges of the fabric.

Now we begin to shorten the curtains.

• Make sure the fabric is dry and straighten it out. Place the adhesive tape between the fold layers. Use pins to secure the folds for ease of use.
• To glue the web to the tulle, iron it through a sheet of paper for about forty seconds.
• Heat the edges of the seams twice as long.

How to hem organza correctly

Before sewing up an organza curtain, you should process the cut edges, because the fabric is very finicky and can crumble at the edges. This can be done on a sewing machine using an overlock or zigzag stitch at the maximum step. Also, after processing the edges, if necessary, sew on a curtain tape in order to hang the organza on the curtain rod.

If the organza has weights along the bottom edge, then it should be hemmed from above. Make a hem of the required length and secure it with pins or needles. Step back and evaluate the result. If you are satisfied with it, then feel free to remove the organza tulle from the cornice and sew along the marked lines.

How to hem double-sided curtains

The difficulty in shortening such curtains is that you don’t always want to hem them to spoil the appearance of the curtain with a different, contrasting color on the back. But as we have already found out, there is always a way out, and this situation is no exception. First, the curtains need to hang on the curtain rod to take the desired shape. Then, remove them from the rod and hem them to the desired length using the hem method. And then sew a braid, ribbon or lace to the edges that will match both sides of the curtain in color.

First, measure the tape, lace or ribbon of the required length. The tape is folded over the curtain and ironed through paper or thin fabric so that the fold is as even and neat as possible. Then the tape, ribbon or lace is secured with needles for convenience and sewn. It's that simple!

Housewife tricks: how to shorten, trim and hem curtains

A few tips from experienced craftswomen will help you avoid unpleasant mistakes and do the work as quickly, efficiently and beautifully as possible.

• Before working with curtains, process them, that is, decatize them.
• For thin fabrics, the spider web method is not always suitable, so it is better to stitch them or secure them with magnets.
• Tulle and organza are often heavier at the bottom, so it is customary to shorten this material at the top.
• It is not always worth cutting the curtains. Pin them 10-14 centimeters from the bottom and look from afar how they look. If they look good, it is better to put them on adhesive tape or sew them.
• Thick curtains should be folded once, otherwise unnecessary weight will be created at the bottom, which will spoil the drapery and the entire appearance, but light ones can be safely folded two or three times.

VIDEO: How to hem organza tulle.

50 options for curtains and tulle of different lengths in the interior: