In a pinch, you can always tie ribbons through the grommet holes or link two or more shower rings together to lower the shower curtain and make it longer. Another option is to add a decorative fabric border to the bottom of your existing shower curtain. The problem with the first solution is that it isnβt permanent. The problem with the second one is that it may be difficult to find a fabric that matches or even complements the fabric of the existing shower curtain.
That said, making your own custom shower curtain is not difficult if you know basic sewing. You can make an extra long shower curtain out of fabric or even a good quality full-size flat bed sheet. Just remember to use a plastic shower curtain liner when using a fabric shower curtain.
Basically a shower curtain is a flat panel with a hem on four sides. A standard shower curtain measures 72″ wide. Fabric comes in two widths, 45″ or 54″. Because a standard size shower curtain is wider than the width of the fabric, you will need to sew two panels of fabric together. It can be as long as you want it to be (standard length is 72β), although the length generally is measured from the rod to halfway down the side of the tub.
To determine the number of yards of fabric you need for your project measure the length that you want, add 8β for the top and bottom hems, divide by 36 and multiply by two (for two panels). For example, if you want the finished length to be 84β, add 8β for the top and bottom hems to make a total of 92β. Then divide by 36. You will need 2 1/2yards per panel, for a total of 5 yards of fabric.
Think carefully about the pattern of the fabric. Make sure the pattern works in the direction you will be using it in. An all-over pattern is always a safe bet. So is a solid color or a check.
If you decide to use a high-quality bed sheet, one full-size flat sheet measures 81β wide x 96β long. That leaves 4 1/2βon each side for the hem. Subtracting 4β for the top and 4β for the bottom hems leaves you with a maximum of 88β in length, a full 16β longer than a standard size shower curtain. You can then adjust the length as needed by cutting the sheet (see cutting below).
Materials
Fabric (45β or 54β width) or one full size flat sheet (81β width x 96β length)
Thread to match
Grommets
Shower curtain hooks – 12
Drapery Weights (optional)
Tools
Water-soluble fabric marking pen
Straight pins
Scissors
Iron
Grommet Kit
Cutting
Orient the flat sheet so that the part thatβs normally folded over the blanket is at the bottom. It will be part of the bottom hem. After accounting for the extra 8β needed for the top and bottom hems, if the length is still too long, cut off the excess from this part of the sheet.
When using fabric, fold the length of fabric over and cut in half. These are your two panels. When using 45β wide fabric, one panel will be 45β wide and the other will need to be cut to a width of 35β. When using 54β wide fabric, one panel will be 54β wide and the other will need to be cut to a width of 26β.
Sewing
Sew the two fabric panels together to make a single panel. Decide whether you will use drapery weights in the bottom hem to keep the shower curtain fixed in place.
If you have a removable shower curtain rod, you might want to consider a rod pocket (similar to a curtain rod pocket) for the top hem instead of using grommets for shower curtain rings. To make a rod pocket, fold 1/2β of fabric and crease, and then fold 3 1/2β to make the hem. Press with an iron and sew. For the bottom hem, fold twice to make a 2β hem (insert drapery weights), press with an iron and sew.
If you decide against the rod pocket, then the top and bottom hems will be folded twice to make a 2β hem. To do this fold 2β of fabric and crease, then fold another 2β. Press with an iron and sew. For the sides, again use a double fold to make a 2β hem. Press with an iron and sew.
Finishing Touches
Use a water-soluble pen to mark the locations of the grommets. Mark the first and last grommet holes 1β from top and 3β in from each side. Space the middle ten remaining grommet holes 6β apart. Use the grommet kit as directed. Insert the shower curtain hooks and hang your new shower curtain. Stand back and admire your masterpiece!
In a pinch, you can always tie ribbons through the grommet holes or link two or more shower rings together to lower the shower curtain and make it longer. Another option is to add a decorative fabric border to the bottom of your existing shower curtain. The problem with the first solution is that it isnβt permanent. The problem with the second one is that it may be difficult to find fabric that matches or even complements the fabric of the existing shower curtain.
That said, making your own custom shower curtain is not difficult if you know basic sewing. You can make an extra long shower curtain out of fabric or even a good quality full size flat bed sheet. Just remember to use a plastic shower curtain liner when using a fabric shower curtain.
Basically a shower curtain is a flat panel with a hem on four sides. A standard shower curtain measures 72″ wide. Fabric comes in two widths, 45″ or 54″. Because a standard size shower curtain is wider than the width of the fabric, you will need to sew two panels of fabric together. It can be as long as you want it to be (standard length is 72β), although the length generally is measured from the rod to halfway down the side of the tub.
To determine the number of yards of fabric you need for your project measure the length that you want, add 8β for the top and bottom hems, divide by 36 and multiply by two (for two panels). For example, if you want the finished length to be 84β, add 8β for the top and bottom hems to make a total of 92β. Then divide by 36. You will need 2 1/2yards per panel, for a total of 5 yards of fabric.
Think carefully about the pattern of the fabric. Make sure the pattern works in the direction you will be using it in. An all over pattern is always a safe bet. So is a solid color or a check.
If you decide to use a high quality bed sheet, one full size flat sheet measures 81β wide x 96β long. That leaves 4 1/2βon each side for the hem. Subtracting 4β for the top and 4β for the bottom hems leaves you with a maximum of 88β in length, a full 16β longer than a standard size shower curtain. You can then adjust the length as needed by cutting the sheet (see cutting below).
Materials
Fabric (45β or 54β width) or one full size flat sheet (81β width x 96β length)
Thread to match
Grommets
Shower curtain hooks – 12
Drapery Weights (optional)
Tools
Water-soluble fabric marking pen
Straight pins
Scissors
Tape measure
Iron
Sewing machine
Grommet Kit
Cutting
Orient the flat sheet so that the part thatβs normally folded over the blanket is at the bottom. It will be part of the bottom hem. After accounting for the extra 8β needed for the top and bottom hems, if the length is still too long, cut off the excess from this part of the sheet.
When using fabric, fold the length of fabric over and cut in half. These are your two panels. When using 45β wide fabric, one panel will be 45β wide and the other will need to be cut to a width of 35β. When using 54β wide fabric, one panel will be 54β wide and the other will need to be cut to a width of 26β.
Sewing
Sew the two fabric panels together to make a single panel. Decide whether you will use drapery weights in the bottom hem to keep the shower curtain fixed in place.
If you have a removable shower curtain rod, you might want to consider a rod pocket (similar to a curtain rod pocket) for the top hem instead of using grommets for shower curtain rings. To make a rod pocket, fold 1/2β of fabric and crease, and then fold 3 1/2β to make the hem. Press with an iron and sew. For the bottom hem, fold twice to make a 2β hem (insert drapery weights), press with an iron and sew.
If you decide against the rod pocket, then the top and bottom hems will be folded twice to make a 2β hem. To do this fold 2β of fabric and crease, then fold another 2β. Press with an iron and sew. For the sides, again use a double fold to make a 2β hem. Press with an iron and sew.
Finishing Touches
Use a water-soluble pen to mark the locations of the grommets. Mark the first and last grommet holes 1β from top and 3β in from each side. Space the middle ten remaining grommet holes 6β apart. Use the grommet kit as directed. Insert the shower curtain hooks and hang your new shower curtain. Stand back and admire your masterpiece!
