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Easy Curtain Fix

May 18, 2011 by Chris

I’m in love with my new Ikea curtains for the master bedroom. However, had I known the trouble they would give me,  I may not have purchased them. That’s not true. I love them that much. Tell me if you can relate to the picture below.

Ikea anita

They are insanely wide, because they’re meant for pleat hooks (which I didn’t know at the time of purchase). I tried the pleat hooks. And then I tried the pleat hooks 4 more times. I ended up wanting to murder every pleat hook ever made. Sooo I went with the ring clips. After a few attempts at trying to figure out how to gather them so they didn’t look overly awkward, I thought I had found it. I didn’t.

Ikea Anita curtain

I didn’t like how much lower the curtains were. The ceilings are vaulted in this room, so the extra several inches really made a difference in the height. Bummer. Let’s try one more solution.

Ikea curtain

I laid the curtain out flat and tied a ribbon around a long screwdriver.

screwdriver ribbon

Using the screwdriver as the guide, it was incredibly easy to slide the ribbon right through the rod pocket—especially because the back portion was a plastic liner meant for the pleat hooks. The ones I want to murder.

feed ribbon through

Once the ribbon was through, I had to be careful not to lose one of the ends. I slid it back onto the curtain rod and gathered the ribbon.

How to gather a curtain

After moving it around to the width I desired, I tied a little knot behind the curtain. No one will ever see it—including my husband who nearly ripped the curtain off the rod trying to move it. Grr.

curtain solution

And the final product? Perfectly gathered curtains at the height I wanted! Yippee! I really wanted to use these as the light block for this room too (and get rid of the shades), but I’m completely happy with them staying gathered. For now?

gray curtains

I can’t possibly be the only one with all these random curtain problems, right? Well, just in case I’m not, hopefully this is a solution for you!

Diy curtain fix

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Chris

Chris

Well, hello. Ahem. Allow myself to introduce..my..self. My name is Chris! And I’m a blogger! I got into blogging after spending months reading all the inspiration that is found in blogland. I thought to myself, “Self, I can do this. I might have something to offer too!” And so it began...
Chris

@https://twitter.com/justagirlblog1

Chris
Chris

Chris

Chris

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Filed Under: Home, Tips/Tutorials Tagged With: curtains

About Chris

Well, hello. Ahem. Allow myself to introduce..my..self. My name is Chris! And I’m a blogger! I got into blogging after spending months reading all the inspiration that is found in blogland. I thought to myself, “Self, I can do this. I might have something to offer too!” And so it began...

Comments

  1. rachel says

    May 18, 2011 at 2:53 am

    fabulous idea! I'm going to do that in my son's room!

  2. Susie from Bienvenue says

    May 18, 2011 at 2:54 am

    Girl…..I love you 😉

  3. Jocelyn says

    May 18, 2011 at 2:58 am

    You are just amazing! Thanks for the great idea! I'm off to do that to my bedroom curtains that do exactly the same thing!

  4. Donna S says

    May 18, 2011 at 3:53 am

    Brilliant idea! Perfect!

  5. wrensnest says

    May 18, 2011 at 3:54 am

    Hey Chris!
    Another easy solution is double sided tape: wrap it around the rod where you want the panel to stop, and then press!
    Easy-squeezy.
    Lee

  6. AmyD says

    May 18, 2011 at 4:11 am

    You are so darn tooting smart… I mean, really… I cannot think on my feet that clearly. I love the way the final look came out. Much better than the rings. Your posts always inspire to fix things or improve things around my 41 year old house.

  7. Centsational Girl says

    May 18, 2011 at 4:32 am

    Well aren't you the most fabulous problem solver! Love this clever hidden solution!!!
    xo
    Kate

  8. RNSANE says

    May 18, 2011 at 4:52 am

    How creative you are! I'm not very good at figuring things like this out!

  9. Miss M! says

    May 18, 2011 at 4:54 am

    I was having the same problem and just used a bit of double stick tape on the back of the rod. The curtain is stuck to the tape and now will not un-gather at the ends. 🙂

  10. Miss M! says

    May 18, 2011 at 4:55 am

    http://splendidmissm.blogspot.com/2010/12/tip-for-curtains.html

  11. Handy Man, Crafty Woman says

    May 18, 2011 at 5:53 am

    oh, I have curtain issues all the time! thanks for this idea, it's great!

  12. The Yellow Cape Cod says

    May 18, 2011 at 10:21 am

    Great tip! I have always used double sided tape, this tip is much better. Thanks for sharing it with us.

  13. Cheryl says

    May 18, 2011 at 10:28 am

    Hi Chris,
    Thanks so much for figuring this out for us. I have exactly the same problem with my family room curtains and will be threading ribbon through them this weekend. Now why couldn't I have thought of that???
    Cheryl

  14. Marie says

    May 18, 2011 at 11:15 am

    what a great tip!!! i have this problem in my dining room and to make it worse, if the curtains won't stay gathered, they cover the a/c register on the floor under the window (which, in my opinion is the stupidest place ever for an a/c register vent thingy). thanks!!

  15. Kathy C. says

    May 18, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    What a great fix!

  16. Suzanne says

    May 18, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    A fabulous fix for an age-old problem!Thanks for helping me (and my curtains) out!

  17. Holly says

    May 18, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    SHUT UP!! It can't be that easy. I've been living with my ungathered curtains for two years. Now you tell me!

  18. Holiday says

    May 18, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    I was worried that double sided tape would take the finish off my rods (I had spray painted old bronze ones to be black) I found that I could use a dot of "booger glue." You know, the stuff that holds credit cards or gift cards to the paper backer? It's just enough to grip the rod and provide resistance to the fabric.

  19. stefanie.ann says

    May 18, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    i have the same curtains! i didnt have a problem at all. good job though! http://excusemeatthetableandplease.blogspot.com/2011/05/house-tour-bedroom.html

  20. Julie {Angry Julie Monday} says

    May 18, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    So smart. I think I have those same curtains in an off-white color. My only problem is that I need them hemmed.

  21. JK Homestead says

    May 18, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    I had the exact same problem with my Master Bedroom curtains. I was able to just stick a straight pin in the back of the curtain to keep it bunched. You can't see the pin at all. Then if I ever want to move the curtain, I can just pull the straight pin out.
    ~Katie

  22. Comeca Jones says

    May 18, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    Alot of work for a perfect ending!

  23. Megan says

    May 18, 2011 at 5:39 pm

    Um Brilliant!!! I've had the exact same problem with curtains I made for our bedroom and living room. What a great solution! Thanks for sharing! <3

  24. Julie says

    May 18, 2011 at 6:24 pm

    Great Solution! I had the same problem with my panels in the master bedroom. To solve my problem, I used a safety pin. I pinned one end from the back and gathered it a bit, about 1 inch and clipped it from there. Has the perfect gathered look and stays in place. I'll definitely have to try your idea the next time. Thanks again! Your windows look great!

  25. Conspicuous Style Design Blog says

    May 18, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    Great idea….I've always used double sided tape, and I'm QUITE sure your way s better!
    Stacy

  26. kayla says

    May 18, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    Those curtains turned out fabulous…love that color BTW!

  27. Julie says

    May 18, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    Great idea! I have this very same problem. I tried to tackle it with tape but it just won't hold! Thanks for sharing!

  28. Bossy Betty says

    May 19, 2011 at 3:52 am

    Great idea! Thanks!

  29. Jackie says

    May 19, 2011 at 4:06 am

    I have the SAME curtains and the SAME problem… they make me crazy!! I will definitely be trying your trick!!!! 🙂

  30. Sharon-The OKI StampQueen says

    May 19, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    Glad you found a solution! I have drooled over a Blue Waters shower curtain. LOOKED light and pretty with calming blues, greens, some tan. Finally ordered it. It came yesterday. Is anything but what it looked like online! Soooo disappointed!

  31. Barb says

    May 19, 2011 at 4:03 pm

    I like the rod pocket look better than the rings. Looks really nice honey. I took down some curtains in my office that would not stay gathered. I should have consulted in you! What was I thinking. Wow, can't wait to visit you. You have so many new things to look at. Love you! Mom

  32. Stacy@{share and remember} says

    May 19, 2011 at 6:23 pm

    Good idea, that bothers me too!

  33. Amanda says

    May 19, 2011 at 7:30 pm

    genius:))

  34. Jen @ The Decor Scene says

    May 19, 2011 at 8:29 pm

    What an awesome idea. I have had this problem before, but I don't have those curtains anymore. But now I know what I could do to fix them the next time I have curtains with this problem. Thanks for sharing.

  35. Andrea S. says

    May 20, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    I ordered one this week too. My Lightscoop will arrive tomorrow! I'm glad to hear you've enjoyed it. Can't wait to try it out!

  36. Jenxo says

    May 20, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    clever, ive not seen that done before…… the problem is the pockets too big, if it was tight on the rod it would stay gathered on the pole…they look lovely in your room….

  37. House of Smiths says

    May 20, 2011 at 11:47 pm

    Okay smartie pants… this is genius! 🙂 Wouldn't expect any less from you, girly.
    ~Shell

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    May 21, 2011 at 10:29 am

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  39. Katherines Corner says

    May 21, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    Well done I've used that technique in the guest room. ( great minds)I always enjoy my visits to your lovely blog.I hope you'll stop by Katherines Corner. The new giveaway is up! xo

  40. Traci Michele says

    May 21, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO creative! Thank you for sharing.

    On another note, will you vote for my blog? It only takes a second. Thanks, Traci

    http://www.circleofmoms.com/blogger/ordinary-inspirations

  41. Anonymous says

    May 22, 2011 at 4:34 am

    Great solution if you don't need the curtains to close!

    Since I DO need to close mine, I used the rings, but clipped them on the back of the curtain, about an inch below the top. Can't see the rings, the curtains stay pleated, and can be pulled shut when needed.

    Wish I could take credit for that bit of cleverness, but thriftydecorchick talked about it several months ago. 🙂

    -Gelft

  42. Lynett says

    May 23, 2011 at 1:16 am

    I always have problems with Ikea things…love the prices but they're quite the mission. Looks great though!

  43. Gabrielle says

    August 11, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    Too Funny! I was just doing my daughter’s nursery and ran into this problem. I went on your blog to see what other cool things i can learn from you and saw this and thought,”WOW!!” You’re super awesome!

  44. Ruth says

    August 16, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Thank you for the solution to the same issue I am having that has been driving me crazy!

    Thank you!

  45. Beckie says

    August 24, 2011 at 6:33 pm

    Am 70 yrs young at heart, widowed and can please myself decorating my home.
    Your ideas enable me to do most things without paying a handyman, which not only saves me money but makes me a proud do it yourselfer while saving more money…
    Your mom must be so proud of you….. thank you !!!

    • Chris says

      August 24, 2011 at 7:51 pm

      Beckie, I don’t know that I’ve ever had a more satisfying comment left on here. Thank YOU so much for some validation to this blog. I appreciate you saying that! And yes, I think my mom is proud of me. 🙂

  46. Teresa Perry says

    April 10, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    I have the exact same corner window problem that you do. Where did you find the hardware for the corner of the curtain rods to fit? We have only seen solutions that cost a fortune. We are trying to come up with a cheeper solution. Any ideas?

    • Chris says

      April 10, 2012 at 11:13 pm

      It’s actually just two curtain rods placed very closely together, Teresa. The corner rods just wouldn’t do what I wanted, so I lined two rods up and placed them as close as possible. Can’t even tell. Good luck!

  47. Our Creative Life says

    April 20, 2012 at 12:04 am

    THANK YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!! I have tried to get my drapes to pleat right to no avail. I will definitly do this little trick!!!

  48. Cathy says

    May 20, 2012 at 5:29 pm

    Great Idea – I make Drapery for a living and one of my clients had IKEA drapes like that and the picture you show on the back – the white with lines at the top – those are gathering strings – if you pull one and knot it – it will gather up! Not sure if other ready mades have those but IKEA usually does. I love your blog! Just found your gallery

  49. Tisha says

    September 17, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    Oh, I see…..that’s how you do it! Thanks so much for sharing your helpful hints & creative projects!

  50. Tracy says

    October 22, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    You are a God send!!! Thanks for the tip….trying it ASAP on TWO sets of drapes that are driving me MAD right now because of this same issue! 🙂

  51. matt says

    October 24, 2012 at 8:07 am

    hi, i’m about to order these but can’t figure out if they are going to work on my old style curtain runner…. do i need to buy a specific ikea pole to use these on?

    the ikea site has these in the related products page http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/40212203/. would they solve my problem?

    sorry to bother you with something that isn’t entirely related to your post but you clearly know what you’re doing so any help would be appreciated!

    thank you

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