After you have purchased your curtains, you might realize that you need the curtains to be hemmed. You probably hung the curtains on the wall and found that they are long and can’t be straight unless they are hemmed.
When you get your curtains hemmed, additional weight will be placed on the bottom of the curtains, and this weight will ensure that the curtains will be straight and even. By hemming your curtains, the curtains look neat and attractive.
This article looks at the cost you are likely to pay for hemming the curtains.
Cost To Hem Curtains
When you have curtains to be hemmed, the price you will pay for hemming will be determined by the length of your curtains, the type of hem you want on your curtains, and the type of curtain.
From a review of the cost charged by different tailors in the USA to hem curtains, I have found that you can expect to pay anything between $20 – $40 for each panel.
The table below gives a clear picture of the costs you will probably pay to have your curtains hemmed.
| Nature of Hem/Modifications to be done | Price to be paid |
| Added width panel – double or lined | $40 |
| Added width panel – double or unlined | $45 |
| Lined split panel in half lengthwise | $35 |
| Unlined split panel in half lengthwise | $30 |
| Lined shorten panel | $30 |
| Unlined shorten panel | $20 |
Take note that these prices are only indicative. I recommend that you contact your tailor for an accurate quote.
In addition, consider that you could also be required to pay collection and drop-off charges if the curtains are picked up and dropped off at your specified location.
Since lined curtains require a lot of work, hemming lined curtains will be more than the cost of hemming unlined curtains.
Also, if your curtains are made of sheer fabric or any other light fabric, you could be charged more since the fold to be added on the bottom would me more.
How To Reduce The Cost Of Hem Curtains?
If you want to hem your curtains at minimal costs, you should consider hemming yourself. Contrary to the common perception that hemming curtains are complex, you will be surprised to know that you can hem your curtains on your own as long as you have basic sewing skills.
In the following paragraphs, I discuss how you can hem the curtains on your own and save the money you would have paid the tailor to hem the curtains for you.
4 Steps You Can Use To Hem Curtains On Your Own
Step 1: Prepare the curtains
As is the case with any other project, preparation is always a key to the project’s success. It is therefore crucial that you are well prepared to hem the curtains. To prepare to hem the curtains, make sure that the curtains are washed and clean.
The reason for ensuring that the curtains are cleaned is to make sure that they shrink before hemming. After making sure that the curtains are clean, you will need to iron the curtains. By ironing the curtains, you will be making sure that there is a nice crisp hem by the time you finish hemming the curtains.
Step 2: Measure The Required Length
After ironing the curtains, you will measure the length that you need your curtains to be. You can either measure from the wall or just put the curtains on the curtain rods to find out the exact measurement you need your curtains to be.
Step 3: Fold The Curtain, Use A Pin To Hold the Curtain Where The Hem Will Be, and Iron The Curtain
After finding out your curtain’s size, you will fold the curtain with a pin on that position. Next, place the curtain on the iron board, and using the pins placed as a guide, iron the curtain making sure that there is a fine crease.
You should then remove the pins and fold the initial bottom of the curtain into the crease that has been created from ironing. Next, pin that crease and then iron another crisp crease.
You are now going to have two creases in the curtain. One of the creases will be at the initial bottom of the curtain, while the other will be tucked against the top crease.
Step 4: Sewing The Hem
You are now going to sew the hem. You can use a sewing thread that matches your curtains, or you can use a sewing thread of different colors and contrast it with the color of your curtains. If you do not have a sewing machine, you can sew the hem with your hands.
If your stitching is not perfect, you should always make sure that you use a matching sewing thread since when the sewing thread is matched, you can hide some of your sewing imperfections.
Final Thoughts
If your curtains need to be hemmed, you can either have a professional tailor hem the curtains for you or do the hemming yourself. The cost to hem curtains is not a lot as already discussed. Thus, if you do not have time or can’t be bothered hemming your curtains, take the curtains to a professional tailor and let him hem them for you.
