Learn to shorten curtains to the perfect length using iron-on hem tape, no needle or thread required.
SC-01Take the curtains down and set up a flat work surfaceUnhook the curtains and lay them flat on a clean table or the floor, right side down. Use a large ironing board or a spare table with a folded blanket if you don't have space to lay them fully flat. Smooth out any creases so your measurements are accurate.
SC-02Rehang one curtain to check the current lengthHang the curtain back up and decide how much shorter you want it — mark this point with a pin at the hem, floor, or sill, whichever look you want. Measure from the pin down to the floor or wherever you want the new hem to sit. Do this for each curtain, as windows and floors aren't always perfectly even.
SC-03Take the curtain down again and mark the new hem lineLay the curtain flat again. Measure up from the current bottom edge and mark a straight line right across the fabric with pins or tailor's chalk, using your earlier measurement plus 40mm for the new hem allowance. Use a long ruler or metre stick to keep the line straight — a wonky hem is very noticeable once hung.
SC-04Trim off the excess fabricCut along your marked line using sharp fabric scissors, keeping the cut as straight as possible. If you're not confident cutting straight, leave a bit extra and trim again after the hem is fixed. Keep the offcuts in case you want to test the hem tape first.
SC-05Fold and pin the new hemFold the raw edge over by 40mm, wrong side out, so the cut edge is hidden inside the fold. Pin the fold in place every 150mm or so to stop it slipping. Check the hem sits level along the whole width before moving on.
SC-06Test the hem tape on an offcut firstIron on your heat setting for the curtain fabric (check the care label — most curtain fabric suits a medium setting). Sandwich a strip of fusible hem tape between two layers of an offcut and press for 10 seconds. Peel apart once cool to check it's bonded fully before doing the real hem — this avoids ruining the curtain if the heat setting is wrong.
1 each · Iron-on fusible hem tape (20mm wide, 5m roll)
SC-07Fuse the hem with the ironSlide a strip of hem tape inside the pinned fold, close to the top edge of the fold. Remove the pins just ahead of the iron as you go so you don't iron over them. Press firmly along the whole hem, holding the iron in place for 10-15 seconds per section rather than sliding it, and slightly overlap each pressed section so there are no gaps.
SC-08Let the hem cool before handlingLeave the curtain flat for a couple of minutes so the fused hem sets fully. Moving it while warm can weaken the bond. Run your fingers along the hem once cool to check it's stuck down evenly with no loose patches.
SC-09Rehang and check the lengthHook the curtain back up and check it hangs level and at the length you wanted. If any spots didn't bond properly, lay the curtain flat again and re-press just that section with the iron. Repeat the whole process for the second curtain.
SC-10Tidy upTurn the iron off and let it cool before putting it away. Sweep up any fabric offcuts and pins, and store leftover hem tape somewhere dry for next time.
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