How to Shorten Curtains: Hemming and Altering Curtains That Are Too Long

Ready-made curtains in Singapore are often too long. Many are sold in fixed lengths that do not match HDB or condo ceiling heights, and curtains moved from an old flat rarely fit the new windows. A curtain that drags on the floor gets dusty, catches damp from mopping and looks untidy.

There are four ways to shorten curtains: raise the hooks or track, use iron-on hemming tape, sew a new hem, or have a tailor alter them. Which suits you depends on how much needs to come off and how the curtain is made.

First, work out the right length

Most curtains in Singapore homes look best finishing about 1cm above the floor. Hang the curtain, then measure from the floor to where the hem should be at the left, middle and right, and use the smallest figure. Our curtain length guide explains sill, floor and floor-to-ceiling lengths, and the curtain length calculator works out the drop from your track height.

Mark the new length with pins or chalk while the curtain hangs, because fabric can stretch or drop slightly once hung.

Option 1: Raise the curtain without cutting

If the curtain is only 2 to 5cm too long:

• Hook curtains: move the hooks lower down on the heading tape, which lifts the curtain on the track. Many pencil pleat and pinch pleat tapes have two or three rows of pockets.
• Rods: raise the rod a few centimetres, if the wall allows.
• Ceiling tracks: use shorter or different gliders if your track supports them.

Nothing is cut, so you can change it back later.

Option 2: Iron-on hemming tape (no sewing)

Hemming tape is a strip of fusible adhesive sold at fabric and hardware shops. It suits sheers and light to medium polyester curtains.

1. Lay the curtain flat, wrong side up, and mark the new hemline.
2. Cut off the excess, leaving about 5 to 8cm below the hemline for the fold. For a neat double hem, leave double that.
3. Fold up the allowance, press it flat with the iron, then slide the tape inside the fold.
4. Press with a damp cloth over the top, following the tape’s instructions, and let it cool before hanging.

Hemming tape may loosen after many washes, and it does not suit heavy, lined or very slippery fabrics.

Option 3: Sew a new hem

A sewn hem lasts longer and looks better. On a sewing machine, a straight stitch or blind hem stitch works for most curtain fabrics.

1. Mark and cut as above, keeping a double-fold allowance so the raw edge is hidden.
2. Fold, press and pin the hem.
3. Stitch close to the inner fold, keeping the hem straight along the whole width.
4. Re-attach any curtain weights in the corners so the hem hangs straight.

Keep the original hem if you can. On many curtains you can unpick the hem, shorten from the bottom and re-sew the same deep hem, so the curtain looks factory-finished.

Lined, blackout and pleated curtains

These are harder to shorten well at home.

• Lined curtains have two layers that need to be shortened separately so the lining does not show or pull.
• Blackout curtains with a coated back can crack or show needle holes; sew slowly with a sharp needle and do not iron the coating directly.
• Pinch pleat and ripple fold curtains have pleats set from the top, so shorten from the hem only.
• Patterned curtains need the pattern to line up across each pair after shortening.

For these, a professional alteration is often worth the cost. We shorten and hem curtains, including lined, blackout and ready-made ones; see curtain alteration, or send photos and the length you want on WhatsApp +65 9071 3976.

When to replace instead

If curtains are much too short, faded, mouldy or the wrong width as well as the wrong length, shortening will not fix them. New made-to-measure curtains are made to your drop and width, with installation. Our curtain prices guide shows what that costs, and our HDB packages start from $378 for a 2-room flat.

Common questions

How do I shorten curtains without sewing?

Raise the hooks or rod for small amounts, or use iron-on hemming tape for sheers and light curtains. For more than a few centimetres on heavy curtains, sewing lasts longer.

How much should I leave for a curtain hem?

For a neat double hem, leave twice the hem depth below the finished length, typically 10 to 16cm in total for most curtains, and more on heavy curtains that need a deeper hem.

Can blackout curtains be shortened?

Yes, but sew carefully with a sharp needle and do not iron the coated side directly. Lined blackout curtains are easier for a tailor.

Should curtains touch the floor?

They can, but in humid Singapore flats a hem about 1cm above the floor stays cleaner and hangs straighter.