The Easiest (No Sew) Way to Hem Curtains

Today I am excited to share with you the easiest (no sew) way to hem curtains!

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To watch the full video, please visit my YouTube channel here.

While this post will primarily cover how I hemmed my curtains from IKEA that were too long, this easy no sew way to hem curtains can apply to any style of curtains! Whether new, thrifted, or even a garage sale find, don’t let curtains that are too long intimidate you!

Here on the blog recently I shared some different cottage style finds from IKEA, and in that post I shared three pairs of curtains that I picked up for a great price. It’s taken me a while to decide on where to hang them all, simply because I was torn on which color would look best in my living and dining space. Thank you to those on Facebook and Instagram who voted and helped me make a decision!

I am not sure if all curtains from IKEA are like this, but the ones I purchased (which were Ritva and Hannalill) were around 100 inches long and definitely needed to be hemmed! The method I used was so incredibly simple, this might very well be the easiest (no sew) way to hem curtains ever.

The Easiest Way to Hem Curtains Without Sewing

Lay out Your Curtains and Measure

I don’t have a sewing room or craft space at the moment, so I just did this on my living room floor. I simply laid one panel down and folded it in half lengthwise, then measured and marked. 

Here’s a quick tip – use an old set of curtains as your guide for the perfect length. I just laid the old curtain panel I was replacing right on top of a new panel for an easy way to measure.

If you don’t have an old pair of curtains handy, you’ll have to measure the length from your curtain rod to the floor to see how long your curtains need to be. Once you get that measurement down, you will want to add two more inches to that to allow for your hem. 

Edited to Add – After publishing this post I’ve had some comments in regards to what I said in the video about adding four inches rather than two. Technically, you only need to add two inches to the length to allow for the hem. Maybe I should avoid DIY posts during pregnancy haha! My apologies. Either way, before you iron your hem in place, be sure to pin it and hang your curtain to see if you’re happy with the length!

Most curtains run about 84 inches long, which worked perfectly for my home. Of course every home is going to be different so make sure you measure out what works best for the space you are using the curtains in before cutting. 

Cut Your Curtains 

Like I mentioned above, whatever measurement you decide on, be sure to add at least 2 extra inches to your length. Since I needed 84 inch curtains, I cut mine at 86 inches long.

For cutting, I suggest using high quality fabric scissors. They will make the job so much easier for you and will easily cut through whatever fabric you are working with. 

Once you are finished cutting the excess material off, you can open the curtains back up and you are ready for the next step!

Fold, Tape and Pin Your Curtains

Once your curtains are opened up,  take the bottom inch of your curtains and fold it upwards. If you want your fold to stay in place, hit it lightly with your iron.

Next, lay your bonding tape (I used this brand) on the fold and pin it into place. This bonding tape is activated with heat so when you iron it, your fabric stays in place just as if you had sewn it.

Fold Once More and Iron

Lastly, fold your pinned edge up one more time and iron to activate the bonding tape.

Be sure to remove your pins as you work your way down the edge of the curtain, and be careful not to burn your fingers! 

I didn’t even pull out an ironing board for this project, I simply put a bath towel under the edge of my curtain so I could work all in one place. Just be sure your towel is thick enough so that you avoid burning your rug!

And that’s it! How easy is that?! These turned out so perfectly and I absolutely love them. I am still deciding on the color I want in my living room versus my dining room, but right now I am loving this cream color for the upcoming spring and summer seasons.

Like I said at the beginning, this will work for any type of curtain that is too long! So if you find the perfect curtains online, at a garage sale or anywhere else at a great price, don’t let the length deter you! Follow these simple steps:

Four Easy Steps to Hem Curtains Without Sewing

• Lay Out Your Curtains and Measure
• Cut Your Curtains
• Fold, Tape and Pin Your Curtains
• Fold Once More and Iron

Is this not the easiest way to hem curtains?! I hope these tips helped you! If you plan on purchasing Ikea or any other type of curtains in the future, be sure to pin this blog post, and don’t let those long curtains stop you from being able to use them in your home!

PIN IT FOR LATER