Help: Custom made my curtains too short!

[argylegreen]

Yes, I feel ridiculous! I splashed out on custom made curtains (voiles so not as pricey!) and I made the ultimate faux pas of not making them long enough! My excuse is that I have been juggling 3 children, a house move with a plethora of issues and a husband overseas so I seriously sleep deprived!

I have two options and either one will give the desired look:

1. Make the 9 cm hem into a 2 cm hem (yes...it's that bad)

1. Move the rod and pelmet down. My hubby can do this when he's back next week. This will mean that the rod is just above the window, covered with the pelmet.

Leaning towards option 2 because I really like the look of the chunkier hem as it adds weight to the sheer voiles. That said, I do realise that moving curtain rod down, close to window is not the done thing for elongating room but at least with the curtains 'kissing' the floor, this will add to the illusion of length.

Would rather not use curtain rings, just don't really like that look.

What would you do?

Depending on the colour and design add extra contrasting fabric to the ends?

I feel your pain, I was so stressed when I ordered curtains, convinced I would get it wrong but we were luckily ok.

I think you are right to move the rail down. The hems of curtains need to be done right to ensure that they hang properly. You'd ruin them if you try to lengthen them. With a pelmet it won't look too bad.

OP can we have a picture please?
I did this once with proper curtains round a bay french window with doors.
My only option was the rail being lowered. I don't think it took too much from the overall look. Only I knew.

@AllYouCanEatBrestaurant

I did consider this but I really like them being the same fabric, just not a great fan of the contrast as don't feel it helps elongates. Definitely worth considering thought, thanks.

I know what you mean about the contrast. What about adding a contrasting border to the sides and them having a larger border at the bottom? That would elongate them aa you'd see the lower colour coming down the full length.

@Monty27
I will take some pics tomor, although I am so embarrassed...no idea what I was thinking. I am so glad to hear you also lowered the rail and got away with it.

On a plus, I nailed the curtain measuring in the bedrooms and they look fantastic! At least these are only voiles...

@BuanoKubiamVej

Yep, definitely think moving rail is way forward. The tailor says he'll lengthen them for free which is very kind of him but did agree with me that aesthetically the 2cm hems would look a little odd, esp as they're 210cm long. I did wonder if he could take the hem out and then sew the same fabric onto the bottom, doubled over so it looks like a hem?! He thinks I'm nuts already so thought I'd check that idea first before I put that idea to him...

@ElegantlyTouched
I'm actually starting to consider it now...think i've got to be open to ideas

p.s there are 3 windows...all the same!!! On a plus my husband thinks they look just fab...

Could you do the 2cm hem and ask the tailor to add some curtain weights to make them hang nicely?
Like these ones here

@imthesame

I think weighting the hem is a good idea. I'll ask him about this.

thanks for all your help.

Does anyone think that I could get the tailor to take the hem out and then sew on a fake hem by adding more of the same fabric doubled over. Surely it would look the same? Hope that makes sense.

Maybe not just weighting the hem but adding a tall facing in same fabric? Hard to explain but: the raw edge should be correct length plus seam allowance and a 9 cm wide fabric strip plus seam allowance and edge finish sewn on. Sew right sides together, seam allowances finished and pressed at bottom, turn up and sew along the 9cm mark. Technically it's called a "faced hem" and I've used it to lengthen trousers that dod grows too tall for too fast. I have used it on curtains before.

If you have enough fabric for a 2cm hem can you let the 9cm hem down completely then add an 8cm strip of the same fabric then turn hem up?. Thus the join would be either on the edge of the hem or just above but on the inside.
I could do a diagram but tomorrow as I am in bed.

Oh @MenaiMna has the same brilliant idea!

@Trumpton@MenaiMna

100% guys! I had something of this in my mind but could not quite get it and you've nailed it. Thank you! I will be putting this to my tailor tomor and maybe he'll think I'm less stupid. Unfortunately his son is in the same class as my daughter in reception so every time I see him over the next 7 years I'll be cringing!

@imthesame

Could you do the 2cm hem and ask the tailor to add some curtain weights to make them hang nicely? Like these ones here

That's a great idea. I wouldn't do the border thing at all. OP don't bring any more attention by adding to it. Move rail and have weights. Don't mess with the fabric it'll be obvious

@Monty27@imthesame

I was also going to chat to the tailor about this as another option. If I do the 2 cm hems, I won't need to move the rails at all as adding that 7 cm will be all I need and I've decided I really don't want to move the curtain rails as it'll give an illusion of the windows being smaller. Will let you know what he says and will send those before an after pics!

Sell them and buy new curtains?

@leli

Gosh, I couldn't bring myself to do that just yet. A different tailor is coming to the house on Tues eve to look at them and doesn't seem concerned, thankfully. She says that when we take down the hems there will be more material to work with as looks like they've been doubled over at the hem so I hope she's right.

I have been advised by the original tailor (he's too busy to revise) that the 'fake hem' idea isn't aesthetically pleasing as looks like bags, although can be ironed out over time (but takes a while...) so we will most likely be going for the small hems with weights - thanks @Monty27.
One saving grace that has just come to light is that I might not need to make them as long as I thought. I live in Southern Africa (just moved here a few months ago) and thankfully it appears that the curtain fashion is more 'floating ' (just 1cm off floor) as opposed to 'skimming' or 'kissing' as these pick up dust and insects (bleugh), and the puddled look is well out so that's just as well!