Curtain extensions vs. new curtains

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

We'll be moving to a new home soon with higher ceilings, and I need to modify our current bedroom curtains if I'm going to continue using them. However our new bedroom will have more windows, and I'm trying to decide if it would be simpler to start with the curtains I have, add extensions and then make more "extended" curtains to match, or just start completely over making all full-length curtains. I can certainly find a use for the shorter pair by making throw pillows, cushions etc. out of the fabric later on. And I think one extended pair using a contrasting pattern in the same room as full-length curtains of all the same fabric would look odd. I don't think I could extend the short pair using the same fabric as it's a botanical print and would require an exact match-up to avoid looking like bad extensions.

In any case I'll be making four new curtain panels, two of them double-width as they're for a bay window and this pattern doesn't come in extra-wide fabric (and I couldn't find one I like better). Here is the pattern of the curtains in need of lengthening:

Scandinavian cotton fabric Botanic Leaf LIV 100% Cotton | Etsy · More Info

So...should I make eight curtain panels with extensions, or start over?

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Comments (3)

shadylady2u
3 years ago
Well you lost me there a little bit. First, by extensions you mean lengthening them, right? When you say "then make more "extended" curtains to match", where are you getting the extra curtains from? Were you planning to cut up some longer curtains to make more or ????

As for making all new or altering, it's always easier to start from scratch, especially if they're lined. You don't say if they're lined or not.

If you do decide to add fabric to lengthen (assuming that's what you want to do), I would add a solid color rather than a contrasting pattern and make it maybe a third of the length, so it looks intentional, rather than having had to lengthen.

Generally you can only find sheer fabric in extra wide. Other fabrics will normally have to be seamed together.
detailaddict
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes - I do mean lengthening them. And if I lengthen these two panels I will need to make the other curtains to match them. I bought the fabric on Etsy (see the text under the pic above) and made/lined the curtains myself, so it would just be a matter of buying more fabric and liner and making more panels, with a contrasting section at the bottom. The length of my current curtains is 80" and I need to extend them to about 118", so it would be the bottom 1/3 that is different, by default. This is the fabric I was thinking of using for the extensions:
Ferns Fabric Vintage Ferns-Dark Green By Redbriarstudio | Etsy · More Info

As I think about it I do think it would be easier just to start over, given that there would be more new panels than altered ones (6/2) and piecing two patterns together would involve a lot more sewing. If I needed just one or two more panels it might be different, or if the fabric I used for the extensions were considerably less expensive.
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ratherbesewing
3 years ago
Adding length to panels always looks a little too homemade to me. In addition, it is a a lot of work. I would start over.
detailaddict thanked ratherbesewing