3 Things To Know Before Hemming Your Curtains

Imagine you found the perfect set of curtains for your home and you hang them up, and they are too long. This happens all the time, especially when shopping for curtains “off the rack” because you may need a length that isn’t a standard size like 84 inches or 95 inches.

Before you hem your curtains to the length you need, there are a few things you should know.

1. Measure More Than Once
Be sure before you start hemming that you are positive you know exactly what length you need. Keep in mind how you want the curtains to look when hanging. Do you prefer the curtains to just graze the floor, sit a half inch above the floor or pool out onto the floor? And don’t forget to measure from where the curtain rod is (or will be) rather than the top of the window.

2. Know Your Skills
Before taking on a DIY project like hemming curtains, consider the skills needed. Are you able to cut straight? Are you handy with a sewing needle and sewing machine? Do you know which supplies you will need and have access to them? If sewing is not your forte, pay a professional to handle the dirty work.

3. What Will The Curtains Look Like After Hemming?
If you only need to take off an inch or two off the curtains, you may not notice the pattern being affected. If you have to take off more, fold the curtains at the hem line and safety pin the fold back. Is the pattern still appealing to you, or does the shorter length take away from the look? It may be worth looking into other options if you no longer enjoy the look at the hem line. For instance, you could raise the curtain rod higher if that is an option, or you may have to choose a different set of curtains.

You could always purchase custom made curtains at the exact length you need, but that can get very pricey very quickly. So save yourself a lot of money by buying the curtains you love most even if they are longer than you need, and then just hem them yourself or pay a little extra to get them hemmed professionally.