Best way to shorten ready made lined curtains?

TomsMom

I purchased some ready made curtains at a good price and one of the pairs I had to buy much longer than needed as they didn't have the shorter length. Not a problem as it was a very good price but I can't leave them that length as there is a radiator under the window and the curtains are too long to tuck behind. I can also use the spare material to make some cushion covers.

What's the best way to shorten them? They have an attached lining, attached all the way down the sides and open at the bottom.

I'm fine with a sewing machine and have made curtains myself, but never lined ones so I'm a bit stuck as to how to tackle these.

Any suggestions please? I'm sure once someone suggests a way to do it I'll go " :doh: why didn't I think of that"

System

shorten them from the top . remove the heading tape shorten then re attatch the tape its by far the easiest option.

TomsMom

CHRISSYG wrote: »

shorten them from the top . remove the heading tape shorten then re attatch the tape its by far the easiest option.

Thanks Chrissy. I did think about doing it that way but wasn't sure if it would be more trouble. At least that way the hems wont need redoing as I can never get them to look as good if I have to re-hem.

TIRkiz_2

Yes, definately agree with Chrissy. I used to be a professional curtain maker & this is how we shortened Ready Mades.

Sentora

As someone who has shrunk more than one pair of brand new curtains in the washing machine... I can't resist saying... bring them over and I'll give them a wash for you (sorry)

BB1984

I asked this question on the Old-style board, and got the same answer as above.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1295539&page=121

Only prob is that doesn't work if you have eyelet-topped curtains. I think you have to get a seam unpicker, and carefully separate the lining from the curtains, for the length you want to take them up by. Then you can cut off the lining, leaving a few inches for a hem, and run that through the machine. Then do the same with the curtain, but obviously leave a bit longer than the lining. I was advised to sew this by hand as apparently it shows less than doing it on the machine. (These people have obviously never seen my sewing!)

BB

TomsMom

Sentora wrote: »

As someone who has shrunk more than one pair of brand new curtains in the washing machine... I can't resist saying... bring them over and I'll give them a wash for you (sorry)

:rotfl: Now there's a thought, could save me a lot of time!

TomsMom

BB1984 wrote: »

I asked this question on the Old-style board, and got the same answer as above.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1295539&page=121

Only prob is that doesn't work if you have eyelet-topped curtains.
BB

You must have seen my question about eyelet curtains on another thread Beth. These ready mades I bought are for a different room (loft) and have the standard pencil pleat tape so should be fine for shortening from the top. Just need a kick up the botty to get started now!

PS - I checked out your link - I didn't know there was a sewing thread, is that on the OS board too?

BB1984

TomsMom wrote: »

PS - I checked out your link - I didn't know there was a sewing thread, is that on the OS board too?

Yes - here it is:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=683165

It's not just about sewing clothes - it covers all sorts! Bit quiet lately, but there's lots of good info on there if you skim through.

BB