How To Hem Curtains With A Sewing Machine

Every home needs a curtain. Whether it’s a mansion or an apartment home, having curtains is essential. It will keep away extra light and prevent people from taking a sneak-peak within the interiors of the home. 

But when people purchase curtains, it might become challenging to find the correct length for all the windows. Most homeowners avoid buying expensive custom-made curtains that come with the right length. 

For such reasons, hemming the curtains will be the best solution. It will save you cash, and you will also get the length you want that will match perfectly with your window. 

You can do the hemming work quickly, and you do need a stitching device for the job. The work will be fast, simple, and straightforward. To know how you can do so, please go through the information provided on this blog.

How To Hem Curtains With A Sewing Machine?

To hem curtains through a stitching device and a hem tape. You need to have a good amount of material if you want to double fold the hem of your curtain. 

Make sure to measure the curtain before doing the hemming work and check to see how much material it has. You will also require several tools to begin the work, such as scissors, pins, etc. If you are missing out on some things, you must get them from a craft store. 

Hemming the curtains of your home is not that difficult or challenging you to think it is. There are some steps that you need to follow. If you follow them correctly, the results will surely come out positive. So, without dissipating any more time, let’s look at how the work is done. 

Step 1: You Must Have Enough Material To Create The Hem

Before you begin the hemming work, you need to check whether you have enough fabric for the job. 

Curtains hems get folded two times in a row. For such reasons, you will require twice as much of the material for it. This means you have to cut down the curtains much longer than it needs to be. Remember, when you cut the curtains longer, the hem will be more comprehensive. 

Doing so will make it appear a lot more proportionate. Regular curtains carry 3 inches to 4 inches wide hem [7.62cm to 10.16cm]. So, you need to cut down the curtains from 6 inches to 8 inches longer [15.24cm to 20.32cm]. 

Short curtains will look good in 2 inches wide hem [0.58cm]. For that, you need to cut the curtains 4 inches longer [10.16cm]. Lastly, the longer curtains will look great with a 5 inches wide hem [12.7 inches]. You have to cut the curtain 10 inches longer [25.4cm]. 

Step 2: Spread The Curtain 

Since the curtains are pretty big, you must spread them on the floor or a flat surface. Make sure to place them on the wrong side up. But if the curtain is small in size, you can use a table as the surface, or any other flat surface will also do.

Step 3: Fold The Bottom And Press It With An Iron

How far you wish to fold will depend entirely on how wide you want the hem to be. For instance, if you want the hem to be 4 inches wide [10.16cm], you must fold the bottom area for 4 inches [10.16cm]. 

To hold the material in place, you must use sewing pins while you press or iron it. Once you have completed the ironing work, remove the sewing pins. 

Step 4: Fold The Hem Again And Press With An Iron

You have to do the folding work again and make sure you opt for the same amount, just like last time. For instance, if you have already taken 4 inches for the hem, you should take the same amount when you fold again. 

You need to pin them up with the sewing pins and press on them with a flat iron. After the pressing work is complete, you can remove the pins. 

Step 5: Keep The Lining Away From The Hem

The linings of the curtain usually are hemmed on their own. You will find them tucked on the side hems instead of the bottom hems. You have to keep the hem of the curtain away from the lining when doing the work. 

Step 6: Use Iron-On Hem Tape 

When you use the iron-on hem tape, you can easily fuse the hem on the curtain. Before applying the hem tape, you cut it so that it’s shorter than the curtain’s width. 

After that, you need to slip it within the hem, right between the folded hem and the backside of the curtain. You need to align the hem tape’s top section with the entire area of the folded hem. 

Iron or press on the hem tape for 10 seconds at a time, right before you shift towards the next section. The majority of the hem tapes will need a wool setting. 

Different brands will need different settings, and you must check the repackage of the hem tape. It will tell you about the setting the hem tape needs. 

Take a damp cloth and place it between the curtain and iron to burn the curtain when the iron is way too hot. You will come across a hem tape with adhesive on one side and paper on the other side.

If you purchase a hem tape like this, you need to iron it at least two times. You need to iron with the paper backing on and after the paper is peeled off. 

Step 7: Use A Sewing Machine To Sew The Hem 

After you have completed Step 1 to Step 6, you need to stitch or sew up the hem of your curtain. During the sewing work, make sure to sew near the folded edges as close as possible. 

You can use a thread, which matches perfectly with the color of the curtain. Doing so will blend the stitching part making the thread unnoticeable. Please sew neatly and avoid making any mistakes or issues. 

The work will be a lot faster, as you will do it on a sewing machine rather than handing it in. 

Best Stitch To Use For Hemming Curtains

When you have decided to hem the curtains, you must go for the blind hem stitching technique for the work. This is the most basic stitching technique for screen hemming. 

Many individuals opt for this particular sewing method, and some well-known brands also use the same method for hemming. 

The blind hem stitch is also used when you don’t wish to see a row of stitches on the face of your material.

You can do this particular stitch with your hands. Otherwise, if your sewing machine has the blind stitch function, you can do it as well. 

Even though there are several other sewing methods, you can opt for, but it will depend on you which type of stitch you want to use. But it’s recommended to opt for the blind stitch.

Things To Know About The Hem Tape For Curtains

One of the biggest reasons to use hem tape is that when the curtain’s material is pretty bulky and you wish to avoid the thickness of the multiple folds. Hem tape stands out as a professional and quick hemming option. 

For textured materials, it will provide a comfortable and smooth edge. The hem tape comes in numerous shades so that you can match the color of your curtains easily. Otherwise, you are free to use contrasting pop of color and give the curtains a brand-new and unique appearance. 

To use the hem tape, you need to first press on the hem allowance. After that, you need to overlap the hem tape along the hem. 

This will enable the material’s raw edges to run down from the center of the hem tape. You need to edgestitch on the tape so that it secures the material. 

Can I Hem The Curtains Without The Sewing Machine?

Yes, you can. There are no issues in hand-sewing the hem of your curtains but there are two ways to do so. The first step is using iron-on tape, which will help you get the work done quickly. 

You need to use iron, stick pins, a piece of cloth, and scissors. Make sure you do the hemming work on a flat surface, such as a table or an iron board.

For the second way, you need to use curtain rings. These rings are pretty cute, and you don’t have to shorten the curtain. If the curtains are way too long, you can fold them from the upper side and use the clip-style curtains to hang them. 

Can I Take Up Blackout Curtains With Hem Tape?

Yes, you can do so. Since the blackout curtains are pretty heavy, you need to do a double width of the hemming tape. Otherwise, you have to use an extra-width hem tape for the job. Also, you need to apply a significant amount of heat so that the tape adheres to the thick material.

Jessica

Jessica

I'm Jessica Flores, a professional fashion designer and an expert seamstress. Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years. I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills. It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.

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