Taking Dunelm curtains up - will this work?

[HopeAfresh]

My new curtains from Dunelm need shortening by c.14 cm (I want them to slouch the floor, so slightly too long is better than slightly too short. They are 228cm x 228cm, so not so easy to manage… and the last time I shortened curtains, I made a fold from the bottom and I think that it is better to shorten from the top?

The header tape is a whopping 14 cm wide and I need to shorten them by about 12cm (need to double check my measurements). I want a thin header tape instead of this wide one.

Option 1: unpick header tape, shorten from the top and replace with thin header tape. I’m worried about this going wrong and things unravelling (the lining coming apart etc.

Option 2: keep the existing header so that I don’t need to take anything apart (liner etc.) Cut the existing header in half and sew the top together again to create a hem there. This won’t be seen because it’s hidden by a pelmet. It means that I won’t remove any existing stitches that hold everything together and I won't need to go out and buy new tape, but I will make the existing header thinner and shorten the curtains at the same time.

I will try to add some photos.

Measure. Cut bit off bottom. Hang. Pin up. Take em down. Hem using fabric glue and your iron. Stick em back up and admire.

Swear when the fabric glue inevitably fails after a few months.

There is also the lining to unpick at the sides and also cut to length and secure again.

The ones I’ve taken up from the bottom always look like they’ve been take up from the bottom. I want to try these from the top - they’re lined and finished so neatly that I don’t want to mess with that.

If the header tape weren’t so thick, I would leave them pooling on the floor, but it’s so wide and thick that I think they will affect the curtains opening / closing closing well.

I am going to watch some videos now…

I had some shortened by a local tailor, you'd never know and it cost me £35

See if a local shop will do it.

Dunelm offer mtm curtains so may do alterations.

Would this work, you shorten at the bottom but keep original hem...

https://www.professorpincushion.com/professorpincushion/hem-jeans-with-original-hem/

Thank you for all of your help. I can’t really afford to spend any more (COL and all that). I’ve got the curtains, now I need to try to do this myself.

I've had a look at the header and it’s only sewn on at the top and bottom. I think taking it totally off will be the best thing and then sewing in totally new header tape.

🤞🤞🤞

(Plus I feel I want to do it - I want to learn these skills 😊)

Yes, definitely carefully remove the Header tape and then shorten to required length at the top, then re-sew new Header tape. It’s a faff but the best way to do a Pro job.

Take your time unpicking and don’t rip the fabric underneath. 😂

That last pair of curtains I got (from Dunelm too) I shortened from the top. It seems scary but is actually easier than taking them up at the bottom. I watched a few youtube videos and took my time.

Mine have been fine since I glued them 3 years ago. Good luck rather than good sewing technique….