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How to Hem Curtains Without Sewing: Step-By-Step

Buying curtains perfect for your window frame can be difficult. We tend to buy curtains depending on whether we like them more often than just searching for the perfect length.

This is true because we can usually very easily alter the length of our curtains or drapes as needed. This is very easily done by a professional, or you could do it yourself by sewing. If you don’t know how to sew, there is no need to worry. There are a few ways how to hem curtains without sewing.

Key Takeaways

  • Curtains shouldn’t be too long so they’re bunched up catching dust on the floor.
  • They also shouldn’t be too short and make the room look unflattering and outdated
  • There are a few creative ways to make sure your curtains are the perfect length and look good
  • Namely, there are three efficient methods to create a non-sew hem.
  • The safest way to hem curtains without sewing is to use a hem tape

How Can You Hem Curtains

Curtains can very easily be shortened and hemmed according to your needs by simply putting them in the sewing machine and sewing on the hem. However, we’re not here to talk about sewing. We’re to talk about how to hem your curtains without sewing.

Also Read: Finest Sewing Machines for Curtains.

How Can You Hem Curtains Without Sewing

There are a few efficient ways to hem curtains without sewing. A very effective way to hem your curtains is by using hemming tape or an iron-on fusing web and another great option is to use curtain rings.

The ground rule is that curtains should usually hang about a quarter or half an inch above the floor. However, it’s really up to you how you want to place them, how they cover the window, and what kind of windows you have.

Generally, we don’t want the curtains to be too short. This creates an illusion that the ceiling is too short, and they can look outdated. Despite that, we also don’t really want the curtains to be so long that they are bunched up on the floor.

This makes them look untidy and doesn’t look good. On top of that, they are more likely to get filthy and dusty a lot faster if they are touching the floor.

This is why we should make our curtains and drapes look good, fit the style of the room and have a balanced look. They should neither be too long nor too short.

Using Hemming Tape

I’m going to explain how to go through the process of hemming them this way. It’s such an easy process that you don’t even have to lower them, you could just do this while they are already hanging.

For this you’re going to need:

  • Hemming tape
  • Iron
  • Ironing board
  • Safety pins
  • Measuring tape

Firstly, you have to place the curtains on the ironing board and take as much material as you want, and fold it. The hem should approximately be about 4 inches. After you do this, you can measure it so it’s straight and then put safety pins along the hem.

The next thing you want to do is get the hemming tape and place it on the curtain where the fold ends. After sticking the tape on you should just fold it as you measured, and get your iron.

Apply pressure with the iron onto the curtain where the adhesive is to make sure it sticks well. Go over it a bunch of times to apply pressure and heat. This is almost the last step. When you’re done with ironing over the tape, you can remove the pins and the curtain is all set.

You can cut off the excess fabric at the end but you also don’t have to.

This is a great way to create a non-sewing hem.

Using Curtain Rings

For this method, you honestly just need a bunch of clip-on curtain rings and a measuring tape. What’s important for this method is to get the spacing of the clips right. Having too little space looks sort of weird, and having too few clips makes the curtain look very stretched.

About 9 clips are recommended per panel, you can place one on every 4-6 inches. Make sure that you are using the right type of clips for the right material you have. Some curtain materials tend to lean on the heavier side, so check the packaging to ensure that they’re going to hold your curtains in place.

To actually start, you’re going to just need your curtain and the clips. What you want to do first is make a fold as big as you want it to be. Usually, around 5 inches is enough. But, you should measure this on your own so you can see if the curtains are your personally desired length.

After that, you can start evenly placing the clips. I’d start with the first and the last clip, then put the one in the middle and fold it in half, and then place another one, and so on, until you’ve reached the limit of comfortably-put clips.

Don’t worry about how the fold is going to look because it’s usually not even noticeable from the front. As long as your clips can hold the curtain in place and they are evenly placed, you’ve done a great job.

Making a Rod Pocket

The third and last method we’re going to do is creating a pocket for a rod to go through. This is basically a combination of both our previous methods.

For this you’re going to need:

  • Safety pins or straight pins
  • Iron
  • Ironing board
  • Hem tape

So, we can just follow the outline of what was said in the first method, as we’re using hem tape here too.

Lay the curtains flat and make sure they are even, so the curtain doesn’t look wonky. Then you can fold them. This time you should fold them twice from the top. The fold should be towards the back side of the curtain. This ensures that there is space for the rod to go through.

Some curtains already have a rod pocket. So, if that’s the case with your curtains you can just roll them over just once, so you still have a pocket once the layer is glued on. Make sure to fold it twice longer than the width of the rod you’re going to use so the pocket fits.

Then, after you’ve measured that the fold is even, you’re going to evenly put a few pins to hold it in place. If you’re looking for a temporary fix, you can even stop here.

If not, just repeat the hem procedure I wrote about in the first method. In short, place the hem tape, and iron over it until you’re sure it holds. Slide the curtain onto the rod and you’re done.

Also Read: How You Can Attach Patches Without Having To Sew

Final Words

Curtains can be hemmed without sewing with the help of hem tape. This is a very easy and affordable way to hem your curtains without sewing.

The only thing you need to do is apply the tape onto the fabric and then put heat and pressure to make sure it sticks. It’s fast and easy and pretty much anyone can do it.