Where Can I Get My Curtains Hemmed?

Are you fed up with too long curtains that are getting dirty all the time? Then, you are in the right place. Sometimes we would like to change the length of our curtains. Even though we cannot make them longer that easily, we can shorten them. This hemming process could be done individually by yourself in two different ways (with or without sewing) or professionally by a tailor or a company. We are going to explain these three methods in debt below.

In this blog post, we will cover everything you need to know about where and how to hem curtains. So let’s start with answering some basic questions.

What does it mean to hem curtains?

To hem curtains means to fold back and stitch down the edge of a curtain. It is a method used for either shortening the curtain length or giving an un-hemmed curtain a more proper look.

Can I hem all types of curtains?

All curtains must have a bottom hem, side hems, and a top hem. So for a more formal look, if your curtains are un-hemmed, you should consider hemming them. And don’t forget that all types of curtains can get hemmed.

Which type of hem is suitable for which type of curtain?

There are different types of hemming for different types of curtains.

When it comes to top hems, it is all about the curtain style. Whether it is a grommet curtain, tab-top, or pinch pleated, the style affects the type of the top hem. Normally, all curtains are sold with top hems, so you don’t have to worry about it.

The side hems, on the other hand, are always 1 ½ inches double.

The most important one is the bottom hem because this is the final touch and the most visible part of a curtain. There are seven types of bottom hems: the 4 inches double, the 4 inches single, ¼ inches hankie, ½ inches clean, 2 inches double, pillowcase, and Z-fold.

Let’s look at them one by one:

4 inches double: The bottom is folded 4 inches toward the wrong side, and the fold line is pressed and then folded twice to create a double hem. This is the most common hem used with most of curtains. However, pinholes at the stitch could be more obvious with coated fabrics without a lining, so this is not advised.
4 inches single: A single hem is created by folding up the bottom nearly 5 inches only once and then ironing it in. The top of it needs to be folded 1 or 1 ½ inches inside and iron it in again. Lastly, sew the top part. This is not a common type because it is not as appealing as the double hem. Still can be used with most of the curtain styles.
¼ inches hankie: This is a method used for handkerchief hems. Because of its small and thin look, this is the best choice for sheer curtains.
½ inches clean: You may have heard of this type of hem in the clothing industry. It is also used for curtains. This is a good option. It allows you to use less fabric, saving about 4-6 inches, compared to a 4-inch double hem.
2 inches double: This is the same method with 4 inches double hems. Only the measurements are different. This one can be used with decorative drapes with lining so that the back of the curtain will also look better and proper.
Pillowcase: This one is used just for double-sided curtains because both sides of the hem look very nearly similar to one another.
Z-fold: This method is used just for coated fabrics. The curtain’s bottom needs to be folded 3 times starting 12 inches from the bottom of the curtain.

How many inches should a standard curtain’s bottom hem be?

Standard floor-length curtain hems need to be 3 to 4 inches. However, you must add another 3 to 4 inches to get a double fold. In total, the standard 96-inch curtains’ hems need to be 6 to 8 inches longer than the part where you are going to pin and sew.

Hemming IKEA curtains

If you are planning to buy IKEA curtains, you need to know that some of the long curtains from IKEA are not hemmed. This feature is actually quite useful. It allows you to shorten it as much as you want later on.

Where can I get my curtains hemmed?

There are different places where you can get your curtains hemmed. Here are the three methods:

Method 1: Hemming curtains at home

We can call it the do-it-yourself method. You can hem your curtains individually at home with some simple tools in two different ways. You can be sure that you will get very excellent results with both methods. However, you will have to choose which one to do based on your situation. One is much easier for some, while for others, this may change. Here are both methods step by step:

1. Hemming curtains with sewing:

You are going to use a sewing machine during this process. If you are not familiar with using it, we recommend you get some help or if you are a talented sewer, you can sew the hems with your hands. Let’s look at the steps one by one:

Step 1: Get the necessary tools.

You are going to need some basic materials:

The curtain that is going to be get hemmed
Sewing machine
Thread matching your curtain’s color
Pencil or fabric marker
Measuring tape and/or ruler
Washing machine
Iron

Step 2: Wash your curtains.

You may plan to wash your curtains after the sewing project but we recommend you do it before starting sewing in case of shrinking. Because the shrinkage can result in too short curtains for your windows. For the best measurements, it is the safest way to wash the curtains beforehand.

Step 3: Iron the curtains.

Ironing will straighten your curtains so that you can get the measurements way more easily. To prevent any burnings or marks caused by the iron on your curtains, you should consider putting a moist towel between the curtain and the iron in all the steps.

Step 4: Hang your curtains and get the measurements.

You can hang your ironed curtains. For the bottom hem, you need to get exact measurements after hanging the curtains. You should decide how many inches you want to shorten. Get the measuring tape and pencil and mark where you plan to shorten. After marking, pin the excessive part.

TIP 1 Before going further, don’t forget to decide which type of hem you are going to choose for the curtains. This is going to affect the measurements. The most recommended hem type is double hems which means the curtain bottom will be folded twice. So, for example, if you are planning to create a 4-inch double hem, you are going to need to mark 8 inches up from the bottom.

TIP 2 Short curtains, which are nearly 45 or 54 inches, look good with 2 inches double hems. On the other hand, long curtains, which are typically between 63 to 108 inches, look better with 4 inches of double hems.

TIP 3 If you don’t want to deal with measuring, which is an exquisite job, we recommend you mark the part just where the curtain touches the floor. It may be called the rule of thumb. But don’t worry, it works well.

Step 5: Remove the curtains from the rod and draw a straight line.

Now, it is time to work on a table. You can unhang the curtains and lay them down with the wrong side facing up. After that, with a pencil or a fabric marker, draw a straight line where you are going to hem. For a better result, iron the curtain beforehand.

If you don’t want to draw anything, just iron where you pinned your curtains until it is flat in the next step.

Step 6: Fold the bottom hem twice and iron it again.

Fold the curtain’s bottom hem. To get the best result iron it. And then, fold and iron it for the last time. Your double folds must be the same length. For example, if you marked 8 inches up from the bottom in Step 4, both folds must be 4 inches long in this step.

Step 7: Sew the hem.

Now, it is time to use the sewing machine. Get the matching thread and start to sew close to the edge of the fold. And then, you are finished. You can just hang your hemmed curtains.

CAUTION! If you are using very light curtains such as tulles, you shouldn’t use a sewing machine. Because it would damage the curtain badly. You need to consider sewing them with your bare hands. Or check out the next method:

2. Hemming curtains without sewing:

The first six steps are all the same with hemming curtains with sewing. Only you are going to need some different tools Let’s look at them one by one: