How do I pull up the strings on my brand new curtains??

[PacificState]

Adulting dilemma (I am 52). Just received some new curtains and the strings on the header tape are machine stitched down on both edges. Do I need to snip the strings at one end? Or do I just start pulling without skipping the ends free? (They're quite big - I'm not convinced the string is strong enough to withstand being pulled while still stitched down at both ends.)

Very grateful for any new-curtain wisdom

I wouldn't snip at one end, because the strings can break or come loose and two loose ends would be impossible to gather up. But tbh I wouldn't gather them up at all, because I think curtains tend to look neater and more modern ungathered.

I would snip them at one end, as close as possible to the edge of the curtain, and pull them just enough to enable you to knot them securely together.
Then snip them at the other end, again close to the edge, and gather the curtain from that end.
Normally you would tuck the excess string into the side of the header tape but that won’t be possible if it’s stitched down. Don’t cut it off, you might want to use them in a different window one day.

Thanks @Lovestodrinkmilk. There aren't any loose ends at all though - this is what is confusing me! Usually curtains come with a tied-off bunch of loose ends, but these ones are machine stitched down everywhere.

Ah thank you Helena

DONT cut the strings. Knot them together at one end and tuck them in. Then hold the other end or hook it on a door handle, and pull the curtain fabric to get the gather you want. Then knot the remaining end and tuck it in. It is much easier with two people, but can be done solo.

Thanks DRS. And you can do that with all of the string ends stitched down? It just feels like that would put a lot of force on the strings and I'm worried they'd snap

Make sure you tie the knot REALLY TIGHT. I speak from bitter experience 🤣

I've never had a problem - just pull out some loops at one end to get started, without cutting. Then do the ruffling gentle and slowly, smoothing the gathers towards the other end. More like holding the strings steady and moving the fabric across them than just tugging at the strings, iyswim.

I would snip them at one end, as close as possible to the edge of the curtain, and pull them just enough to enable you to knot them securely together.

I might do that before starting on the other end if the strings didn't look securely stitched. Or again, just pull out loops long enough to tie together rather than cutting.

Do not rely on the stitching to hold the strings while you gather. Knot them at one end and then hold the the other while you ruche the fabric rather than pulling the strings.
I once presumed that the stitching would hold and it cost me hours with a darning needle !!

Thanks very much everyone. This is frying my brain a bit as I've always just had a bunch of knotted loose ends on new curtains before, but maybe I'm just not well versed in the world of new curtains!

Are they not very lightly stitched so they just pull loose?

They don't seem to be @eurochick, I've given them a solid tug and nothing moves. There's a line of close-stitched machine stitching right down the edge, straight through all the channels where the strings are. (Photo hopefully attached)

(I'm gearing myself up to follow the helpful advice about ruching/moving the material not the string/tying knots in EVERYTHING, just waiting for this evening to get started)

I would wiggle a spoon handle under the threads and use it to loosen the thread , it will save it digging into your fingers!

That’s exactly what I did - and tied one end together in a knot and pulled from the other end. It’s quite strenuous work!

Could you ask the place you bought them from?

Thanks @TheSummerITurnedChubby @TeaAndStrumpets

@Mosaic123 yep I've got a customer service ticket in with them, just getting the MN view while I wait for their official advice. Just want to be sure I won't be held to blame if I snap the strings while pulling.

Pull the strings out from the middle.

You can pull them in the middle. Might be better if they are large curtains

Had the same question about a year ago. I got in earlier with "pull them from the middle" which seemed to blow their minds

DON’T pull from the end.

Pull from the middle, then the loose bit can be looped up and will be hidden in amongst one of the gathers.

Oh wow. The Middle Advocates have arrived!

Still waiting for customer services [increasingly ill-named] to get back to me to confirm it's on their head if the strings snap.

I want to put up my new curtains, sigh

Carefully snip A and pull out about six inches. Make a small knot in the end to prevent thread being pulled through by mistake. Repeat with C. Carefully snip B and pull out about five inches. Knot ends together securely. Repeat with the other end, and gather curtains as usual.

It’s important to have B shorter than A and C.

Oh intriguing @Oldieandgoldie why the difference in lengths?