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Short answer
Curtains hang crooked for a handful of reasons: a track that is not level, uneven hook spacing, too little fullness, light hems, a lining that shrank differently from the face, or fabric cut off-grain. Check the track first, then the hooks, then the curtain itself. New curtains also need dressing for a day or two before the folds settle.
What are the common problems and their causes?
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Hem higher at one end | Track not level, or floor not level | Level the track; adjust hooks at the low end |
| Bottom flares out | Light hem, no weights, too little fullness | Add hem or corner weights; dress the folds |
| Folds uneven along the heading | Uneven hook or pleat spacing | Re-space hooks to match the gliders |
| Leading edges swing apart | No overlap at the centre | Use overlap arms on the track, or magnets in the leading edges |
| Side hem pulls or puckers | Tight selvedge left in the hem | Have the selvedge clipped or released |
| Curtain twists or hangs on a slant | Fabric cut off-grain | Remake from fabric cut on the straight grain |
| Face puckers over the lining | Lining shrank more than the face | Release the lining at the hem, or reline |
| Length changes with the weather | Natural fibres such as linen or viscose taking up moisture | Allow for it, or choose polyester |
How do you check the track and hooks?
- Level: put a spirit level along the track. A ceiling track follows the ceiling, which is not always level.
- Gliders: one hook per glider, with the same number of gliders on each side.
- Hook spacing: even along the heading, usually matching the pleat spacing.
- Hook height: move hooks down the heading to lift the curtain, or up to lower it. See Types of Curtain Hooks.
Why do curtains flare out at the bottom?
A curtain flares when its folds open wider at the hem than at the heading. Usual causes are too little fullness, a light hem, or new curtains that have not been trained into their folds.
- Weights: small weights sewn into the hem corners and seams, or a chain weight along the hem, help sheers and light fabrics fall straight.
- Fullness: curtains made at less than about 1.8 to 2 times the track width can flare and look thin. See Curtain Fullness.
- Dressing: arrange the folds and tie the curtain loosely for a day or two. See How to Hang Curtains.
Can the fabric itself make curtains hang crooked?
- Off-grain cutting: fabric cut at a slight angle to the weave twists as it hangs. Printed and check fabrics show it most. See Fabric Grain and Bias Explained.
- Selvedge: a tight selvedge left in the side hem pulls the edge short. See What Is Selvedge?.
- Shrinkage: face and lining that shrink by different amounts after washing pull against each other. See Why Curtains Shrink.
- Humidity: linen, cotton and viscose can lengthen or shorten slightly as humidity changes; polyester barely moves.
When should you call the curtain maker?
If the track is level, the hooks are even and the curtains have been dressed, but they still twist, pucker or hang at a slant, the problem is in the making: grain, hems or lining. Ask your curtain maker to check before trying to alter them yourself. See How to Choose a Curtain Maker.
Frequently asked questions
Why is one curtain longer than the other?
Usually the track or floor is not level, or the hooks sit at different heights. Check with a spirit level and adjust the hooks at the low end.
Why do my curtains flare out at the bottom?
Light hems, too little fullness or new folds that have not been trained. Add hem weights and dress the folds for a day or two.
How do you make curtains hang straight?
Level the track, space hooks evenly, make sure the fullness is right, add weights to light fabrics, and dress the folds after hanging.
Why do my curtains twist?
Usually the fabric was cut off-grain. It needs remaking from fabric cut on the straight grain.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
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