Easy DIY Curtains for Custom Length Windows

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Need custom length curtains without sewing them from scratch? My shortcut is to start with inexpensive extra-long ready-made curtain panels, hang them first, and hem only the bottom to fit your windows. You can sew the hem or use iron-on hemming tape for an easy no-sew option.

 

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When we moved into our home, one of the first things I wanted to change was the dark gray curtains. We had beautiful natural light, and I wanted the room to feel much brighter.

The problem was our 9-foot ceilings. I wanted the curtain rods hung high, which meant I needed extra-long curtain panels. Custom curtains weren’t something I wanted to spend money on, but I also didn’t want to sew ten curtain panels from scratch.

So I went with a much easier, semi-homemade solution.

I bought inexpensive extra-long ready-made curtains, hung them first, and customized only the bottom hem.

You can sew the hem like I did or use iron-on hemming tape for a no-sew version. Either way, almost all of the work is already done for you.

And well… we just moved from Michigan, where it feels overcast 75% of the year. I needed to see the sunshine and light ASAP.

The first thing we did was paint the room a bright Chantilly Lace white. It’s perfect. It doesn’t have any warm colors to it, just a really nice bright white.

 

 

While I loved the idea of having curtains around the room, I was not looking forward to buying custom length curtains, due to the 9-foot ceilings. We just bought a house and any extra money was going towards important things like furniture and a new dishwasher…

Jordan immediately said, “We had 18-foot and 9-foot ceilings in the Michigan house, why don’t you make more curtains? You’re really good at it.” 

I love how that man flatters me to keep me from spending too much money. 😉 But he is right, I made 2 sets of 2-story curtains, curtains for Owen’s nursery, and even burlap curtains in the last house!

But I had a better plan. One that would be less expensive than buying fabric at Jo-Ann’s (which made our wallet happy) and was 90% already done to help me finish the project quicker.

Let’s get real…

We have two new jobs, we moved in the Summer, and the last thing I really want to do is DIY ten new curtain panels. 

And that is where I’m today– I made semi-homemade DIY curtains!

 

I promise, this is surely not an original idea, but it’s something that I haven’t done before, and I thought that if you are in a time crunch, you might want to know about this really easy custom curtain panel trick!

 

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How to Make Custom Length DIY Curtains

 

 

Supplies You’ll Need

• Extra-Long Ready-Made Curtain Panels – Choose panels longer than your finished measurement so you have enough fabric to create the new hem.
• Curtain Rods (We used these ones)
• Hemming Tape OR
• Sewing Machine & Thread 
• Tools Needed:
  • Folding Table for easy travel
  • Fabric Scissors
  • Straight Pins
  • Iron

Step 1: Hang Your Curtain Rods

For this room, I wanted the curtain rods to hang about 6 inches below the ceiling. That meant each panel would fall 8 feet, 6 inches to the ground. Definitely not a measurement you could find in a regular store, right? 

When you’re hanging your curtain rods, consider how you want to use your curtain panels. Do you want them to frame the window? If so, install your hanging hardware about 7″ on either side of your window to give yourself room to push the curtains out of the way.

 

 

 

Step 2: Hang the Extra-Long Curtain Panels

If you’re a professional sewist, please stop reading this post right now. I know this is definitely not pro-speak, but rather “Working mom, short on time, getting all the things done, kinda talk…”

We originally used inexpensive 118-inch IKEA curtain panels for this project. That specific product and pricing may have changed since this tutorial was first published, but the same method works with any ready-made curtain panels that are longer than you need.

 

 

Step 3: Decide Where You Want the Curtains to Fall

Now that you have your curtains, hanging, it’s time to make them to your custom length! The best part about this? There is absolutely zero work needed from the upper section of the curtains. You are just hemming them.

 

But what type of curtain length should I choose?

If you’re debating about curtain length, take a look at this really helpful article. You can decide whether you prefer hover, break, or puddle lengths for your room.

Step 4: Measure and Cut the Excess Fabric

Since we don’t have animals, I chose to go a little bit longer on the length. If I had a dog where there is lots of shedding hair, I would’ve chosen the hovering length. All I’m fighting over here are dust bunnies. 🙂

Plan to give yourself about 3 inches for the final hem. If you want your DIY curtains to hover right at the floor, measure the excess that is lying on the floor and subtract the 3 inches for hem from the total.

That is the amount that you’ll want to cut off, next.

Pull up your folding table, fold your curtain panel in half width-wise and mark your cutting length. Use a ruler to make sure you cut straight. If you want to double-check this first panel, let the panel drop to the floor to see where the cut line falls.

Remember, you’re going to want at least 3 additional inches for that final hem from where the curtain panel breaks on the floor.

Cut your fabric.

 

 

Step 5: Fold and Pin the New Hem

For our curtains, I left about 3 inches of extra fabric for the new hem. I folded the raw edge up about ½ inch, then folded it another 2 inches and pinned everything in place.

Before sewing, I let the curtain fall back toward the floor to make sure I liked the finished length.

Once I had the first panel exactly where I wanted it, I wrote down the measurements and used them for the remaining panels. The first curtain took the longest; the rest went much faster.

 

 

Step 6: Sew or Use Iron-On Hemming Tape

Now that you’ve found the hem, it’s time to sew or use your iron-on hemming tape! 

We chose to sew our curtains purely because my sewing machine hasn’t gotten some love lately and I really enjoy sewing when I have the time. I sewed a straight stitch along one side, came around the hem and finished along the other side. I used a white thread that would blend into the curtain fabric.

Super quick & easy to do.

 

But you totally don’t need to enjoy sewing to finish this project. Using hemming tape, iron on your hem. You can do this by using your folding table covered in a beach towel or bringing down your ironing board.

Do You Need a Sewing Machine?

Nope. I used my sewing machine because I already had one and enjoy sewing, but this project doesn’t require it.

• Sewing option: Use a basic straight stitch with thread that blends into your curtain fabric.
• No-sew option: Use iron-on hemming tape according to the package directions to secure the new hem.
• Either way, you’re only finishing the bottom edge of ready-made curtains rather than sewing complete curtain panels from scratch.

Repeat this for each curtain panel.

 

Things we learned about this project— the first panel took more time than the others! By the time we figured out the hem dimensions, we could move quickly.

 

Step 7: Press and Hang Your Finished Curtains

This is mostly optional. As a final step, you could set up your ironing board in front of each curtain panel and press your hems. If you’re already using the hemming tape, you’ll already be doing this!

 

and one more reminder of where we started…

 

and now! 

(Curtains | Live Edge Dining Room Table | Dining Room Chairs | DIY One Board Tray)

These DIY curtains ended up being exactly the kind of project I needed: custom enough to work with our tall ceilings without requiring me to sew ten curtain panels from scratch.

The trick is simply to start with ready-made curtains that are too long, hang them first and customize the bottom hem. Sew it if you have a sewing machine, or use iron-on hemming tape for an easy no-sew option.

It’s a simple shortcut, but it’s one I’d absolutely use again when standard curtain lengths don’t work.

 

 

 

 

 

PIN FOR LATER:

 

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