Do-it-yourself methods for lengthening curtains
Sometimes you need to move the curtains from one room to another, but they do not quite fit in size. Or, before the purchase, there was an error in the calculations, as a result of which the curtains turned out to be short. Don't worry about this wire. This problem is easy to fix. There are many ways to lengthen curtains. We offer a selection of tips for correcting the length of the curtains.
What to do if the curtain is short
There are plenty of solutions to fix the length of short curtains. You can, of course, find an original way.
The most popular, which many use the following:
- beautiful long loops - they will increase the length, add originality, and they are easy to sew, no special skill is needed;
- a strip of fabric on top, into which eyelets are then inserted;
- making a lambrequin;
- inserts of fabric strips at the bottom, in the middle or along the entire length;
- the use of beautiful ruffles.
These are just some of the ways. Each housewife decides for herself what to choose for a particular solution.
Note! When the canvas looks a little worn, it is not worthwhile to fix its length. If the fabric is flawless, you can safely experiment.
Some turn to specialists in the atelier to correct the length of the curtains, but this costs considerable material costs. For this reason, housewives often try to fix the length of the curtain themselves.
How to lengthen the curtains with your own hands
At first glance, the question of how to lengthen the curtains may seem insoluble to fix it on your own: it will turn out sloppy, because the work is difficult. However, there are ways in which the curtain can be extended so that no one would guess that it has undergone some changes.
For a better perception, photos were selected showing how to lengthen the curtains from the bottom or top with your own hands.
Cloth stripe and eyelets
Eyelets are a great option for saving the day. It looks good on tulle curtains, which require a thicker fabric to withstand heavy hardware. The combination of fabrics different in texture is a necessity, but it looks impressive. The curtain rods should be round so that eyelets can be put on them.
Attention! The fabric of the sewn strip must contain the shade of the base material.
Inserts
You can insert oblique cross strips from another fabric into the canvas. But this option is more demanding - the matter will have to be cut very accurately.
Inserts are a way out for housewives who sew well: they know how to cut out and sew on a typewriter with even neat stitches.
First you need to decide where exactly to insert. It is better not to do it in the center. It is worth choosing the upper or lower part of the curtain.
Professional Tips:
- for a classic style, light fabrics are chosen, preferably monochromatic;
- bright inserts are good in combination with decorative elements;
- the drawing is matched to what is on the wallpaper.
Sew on fabric loops
The easiest way is to lengthen the curtains at the top using loops. This can be done even by someone who knows nothing about sewing. The fabric is selected to match the curtain, similar texture.
Algorithm for making loops.
- Strips are cut 4-5 cm wide. The length depends on how much you need to add, with an addition of 2 cm for allowances. If additional decorative elements (fasteners, buttons) are sewn, add a couple more centimeters.
- Ready-made loops are sewn on or tied with beautiful ties or bows.
- The product is hung on a tubular cornice.
Add a lambrequin
Lambrequins increase the length of the curtain visually. The main thing is that the cornice is suitable, for example, a 2-row or 3-row profile.
Lambrequin can be made your own according to the algorithm.
- Select material for the inner (lining) and outer sides.
- A template is made by measuring the length of the window opening, with an orientation to the center.
- Parts are cut out with an allowance of 2 cm.
- Details are sewn from the inside out, the finished product is turned inside out, ironed through gauze with an iron.
- The finished product is installed on the cornice.
For your information: this solution is suitable for craftswomen who know how to sew well.
Unpick the bottom allowance
Ripping seams is the most common and easy way to lengthen the curtain. This method is available to anyone and does not require skills.
To add 4-6 cm to the curtain, just rip them up from the bottom. This option is suitable when the curtain is quite small enough to the required length.
Usually the bottom edge is hemmed with a margin. If you gently rip it open and then iron it with an iron, the difference will not be noticeable.
For your information: if the bottom edge is pretty worn out or burnt out, this method is not a way out.
We add ruffles
This option is good for a country-style room or romantic design.
- First, measure the width of the curtain, multiply the number by two.
- Then a strip of the resulting length is cut, its width is 10 cm. It can be more. It depends on how much ruff is needed and the missing length. Add some fabric to the seams.
- After 2 cm from the edge of the cut strip, the fabric is baked in one thread.
- The assembly is done along the width of the curtain, the ends of the thread are fixed.
- Ruches are swept to the edge of the curtain from below, sewn on a typewriter. The seam can be hidden with a beautiful ribbon or delicate lace.
Remember! The fabric for frills should be in harmony with the material of the curtains. If a material that is contrasting in color is chosen, it should be duplicated in other elements of the curtain.
Add decor
Using decor is a commonly used option for lengthening curtains.For this purpose, decorative details are sewn to the bottom of the canvas, solid or consisting of several small elements (beads, embroidery, etc.). Such decor will be good for modern as well as classic interiors.
Brushes are often used, which are a continuous ribbon along the bottom and sides. Variability is achieved due to the size of the decorative elements and their colors.
What to do if the curtain is with a pattern
Let's figure out how to extend the curtains in length in case the curtain is with a pattern.
It is not easy to solve this problem because of the originality of the print: good taste and design skills are required.
- It is important not to allow "dullness" and not "overload" the appearance. In a word, find a middle ground.
- It is necessary to adhere to a single style, choose fabrics of the same texture, adhere to the integrity of the composition.
- You can add decor to tie the pieces together.
- Materials should be equally practical, with similar characteristics. Aesthetics are important.
- You need to adhere to a single style.
Experiment is encouraged in modern designs. Go for it!
How to extend the curtain wide
The filling of the curtains is calculated as follows: you need to go to the window and see how much space they will take on the walls. The constant curtain of the window will make it difficult to perceive, over time, the curtain still moves to the wall opening.
Suppose the desired width for decoration is 0.5 meters. The optimal filling ratio is 1: 3. It comes out 1.5 meters. This is the required web width. More is possible, but not worth it: the fabric forms too many gathers when the window is open.
If the curtains are closed only for the night, you can make the minimum filling of the curtain in width. It will be equal to the width of the cornice, plus 20-30 cm.
What to do when a downward error was made in calculating the width. There are ways out.
- Add an additional, contrasting curtain.
- Sew additional strips on the sides to the curtains. They can be of the same color or contrasting, with or without a pattern.
- Use additional curtains: Roman, Japanese or blinds, and from narrow curtains you can create static Italian curtains with tiebacks in a classic style.
Important! Be careful when calculating the width of the curtains so that you do not have to look for options to correct the error.
How to lengthen a short tulle
Let's find out how to lengthen the tulle when its length is insufficient.
There are several proven ways. Fantasy is also appropriate in such a creative endeavor.
- Looks beautiful when lace is sewn to the bottom of the tulle. Why not take advantage of this? It is advisable to choose materials that are identical in texture.
- Using a lambrequin. A great option to increase the length of any curtain, including tulle. The main thing is that the cornice is suitable for this solution.
- Decorating the bottom edge with pendants assembled from beads or beads. Such suspensions are appropriate in a home without pets and small children.
A short curtain is not a problem. The problem of increasing the length can be solved using one of the proposed methods. When imagination is not enough, hands do not obey, there is a reason to turn to a professional sewing curtains.
Video: how to lengthen short curtains - 6 options