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Original poster

Why do my expensive-ish curtains look crap

317 replies

Sickofhousestuff · 16/11/2023 21:24

Hi, I’ve bought my first house so a newbie to house stuff. Unfortunately, my mum is not good with this sort of thing so hoping for some MN advice.

Why do my curtains look crap? Yes they will look better after a steam but I’m not loving the way they look. We have huge windows so had to purchase made to measure which wasn’t cheap.

Im thinking I need more hoops. DH wanted the curtains to hit where they do but I think it’s a shame they don’t hit just above the window sill. Tempted to get my sewing machine out and watch some YouTube videos!

Please help. I’m gutted. They look really different to the image on the website as well :’(

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Original poster
Sickofhousestuff · 16/11/2023 21:33

Dh wouldn’t let me get curtains to floor cause of radiator. Didn’t want blinds.

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Nchanged89 · 16/11/2023 21:33

Definitely need gathering.
If your window isn't standard size drop or you've got the length exactly where you want it, then yes they are made to measure.
Steam them, get some more hoops and gather them they will look much better.

OhmygodDont · 16/11/2023 21:33

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 16/11/2023 21:32

Curtains should hit the floor. Short ones look weird to me.

I think you should send them back.

Like flared booty dresses 😂

Original poster
Sickofhousestuff · 16/11/2023 21:33

Okay I didn’t know the tie thing was a thing. Thank you!

Windows are over 9.5ft wide. Big to me.

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OhmygodDont · 16/11/2023 21:32

Need gathering steaming and more hoops but they do look cheap certainly not made to measure.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 16/11/2023 21:32

Curtains should hit the floor. Short ones look weird to me.

I think you should send them back.

Lochness1975 · 16/11/2023 21:31

Don’t shorten. They need more hopes and to be gathered at the top. Honestly they don’t look made to measure. Was expecting large floor to ceiling windows with expensive heavy material- never make an assumption!

Mirrormeback · 16/11/2023 21:31

They don't look expensive at all

How much were they ?

Pradder · 16/11/2023 21:30

Oh and yes if there is a tape at the top it needs gathering.

Original poster
Sickofhousestuff · 16/11/2023 21:30

Do they not look made to measure??

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Iudncuewbccgrcb · 16/11/2023 21:30

You havent gathered them at the top. Tie one end securely so the strings don't pull through and then pull the strings at the other end to make the pleats/gathers at the top.

Loads of YouTube videos on it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-6nP_Z2u4W4

Pradder · 16/11/2023 21:29

Ah they’ll look better soon, more hoops and a steam will help.

Do they have weights in the bottom? They’re hanging stiffly which may improve with time, but sewing some weights in would improve the drape too.

Personally I would have had them shorter so they touch the windowsill, or longer so they nearly touch the radiator, but that’s definitely personal preference.

Densol57 · 16/11/2023 21:29

You do not have huge windows and those are not made to measure curtains
£30 a window out of a packet Id say

Chukkachick · 16/11/2023 21:28

Is there a string to gather them more? It looks like they need to be gathered tighter but I’m not sure exactly how it works with made to measure.

FuzzyPuffling · 16/11/2023 21:28

You haven't gathered the tape at the top. This gives a more structured look and feel to the curtain, so they'll look less floppy.

More rings will probably be needed too.

Don't make the curtains any shorter.

Original poster
Sickofhousestuff · 16/11/2023 21:27

I also think there is potentially too much material

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Original poster
Sickofhousestuff · 16/11/2023 21:25

Image didn’t attach

Why do my expensive-ish curtains look crap
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