New hem on ready made curtains

New hem on ready made curtains

by Mary Kay
(Colorado)

I have some ready-made curtains that I would like to be a few inches longer. Since there is about a 4 inch hem in them, is it possible to lengthen them without it looking bad? I was thinking of adding about 5 inches of a similar fabric to the bottom after taking the hem out and using that as the hem. Your thoughts?

Hi Mary

I think that to try and get a similar fabric and sew this on would be a mistake. You would see a see a panel of similar fabric just added on.

I would pick a contrast fabric, that is a different but complimentery fabric. Such as a check design or a stripe. So for example if you have lilac curtain then add on a pink check panel.

So your curtains look like you have made a design choice by mixing the two colors and designs. Rather than just trying to make your curtains longer.

Best regards

Lee

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New hem on ready made curtains

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Apr 05, 2009

contrast fabric?
by: Mary Kay

I'm not wanting the added fabric to show as a part of the panel. I just want it to be in the hem, so I can use the hem that is currently there as the part that is showing (adding just 3 inches to the length of the panel.) I am thinking that adding a contrasting fabric to the bottom would draw your eye to the bottom of the room, which I don't want to do. Or would that still be a problem - having the new seam being where the fold is for the hem.

Hi Mary

Sorry got confused to what you meant silly me.

You are creating what I call a false hem. I have done it on occasion. Once you have sewn on the extra fabric. Then simply press your curtain right on the seam to make sure it sits exactly at the bottom of your curtain. Even if the color is not a perfect match it should not matter as you should not see it in normal use.

Regards

Lee

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