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Sheer curtain panels How to handle the hems
lgrande   Advanced Beginner MT USA Member since 1/18/12 Posts: 1034	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 5/31/12 2:25 PM I'm about to start cutting the fabric for a pair of sheer panels for my powder room. I'm unsure how to handle the hems since the fabric is see-through. I thought I could first turn the hem up a 1/4 inch and press then turn up another four inches and topstitch. But I wonder about fraying on the unfished edge as the fabric wears in the washer/dryer. I have a serger but the serging might show through??? Is there a right way to handle this? ------ Linda Bernina 830LE Bernina B530 Janome 6600P Pfaff 1209 Babylock Evolution Janome 644D
M.S. Intermediate Member since 3/6/09 Posts: 1138	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/31/12 10:23 PM Usually, you do a double hem. For example, you fold the raw bottom edge up 4", and then fold up again 4". That being said, I have seen JC Penney sheers done the way you describe, and they look fine. I would not serge them because all that stitching would draw attention to that edge. I think you would see it through the layers. ------ Pfaff 138-6 Brother PQ1500S Necchi 4795 US Blindstitch 718-9 Kenmore 16644 Janome CoverPro 1000 Singer 201-2
justgail Intermediate IA USA Member since 1/19/06 Posts: 514	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/1/12 8:27 AM The raw edge should be protected inside the hem during washing. I've washed curtains with that type of hem and they came out fine. You might pull out any loose threads from the fabric edge first though. Either way of hemming would work, although depending on fabric and curtain length, the extra weight of the doubled 4" hem that M.S. described might help them hang better.
lgrande   Advanced Beginner MT USA Member since 1/18/12 Posts: 1034	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/1/12 8:35 AM Ah yes! My comprehensive sewing book, "The Sewing Book" by Alison Smith arrived yesterday and I found "machined curtained hems" on page 226. The exact process described by M.S. So, that is how it will be done. I agree that the extra fabric in the 4" hem will help them hang better. My fabric is quite pretty although siince I purchased it at JoAnn's I have pretty much no idea what it is...their stuff lacks in label detail. It is 108" wide which was a wrestling match to cut. Thank goodness these curtains are small, I don't know how people deal with huge panels of slippery material when making really large curtains. ------ Linda Bernina 830LE Bernina B530 Janome 6600P Pfaff 1209 Babylock Evolution Janome 644D
dimiko   Member since 6/12/11 Posts: 8	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/4/12 3:33 PM I was thinking about making sheer curtains too but wanted to know if they could be hemmed on the serger using a rolled hem. Would this work instead of using a double hem? Are there any gotcha's to serging sheer fabric? -- Edited on 6/4/12 3:34 PM --
CindyHa Advanced Beginner WA USA Member since 3/5/07 Posts: 32	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/4/12 5:06 PM I had to hem some store bought sheer curtains recently, and what I did was use some 1/2" double sided steam a seam type stuff. Then I made a 4" hem, but this made it easier to deal with the bottom edge and fraying, etc before I turned it up 4". Not sure if that's making sense, or if it is technically the correct way to do it, but it worked well enough for me. My sheers were white too, so you can't see the double sided seam tape.
path49 Advanced IL USA Member since 2/25/08 Posts: 75	Login to reply to this post In reply to lgrande << Like this post Date: 6/5/12 12:17 PM Quote: lgrande Ah yes! My comprehensive sewing book, "The Sewing Book" by Alison Smith arrived yesterday and I found "machined curtained hems" on page 226. The exact process described by M.S. So, that is how it will be done. I agree that the extra fabric in the 4" hem will help them hang better. My fabric is quite pretty although siince I purchased it at JoAnn's I have pretty much no idea what it is...their stuff lacks in label detail. It is 108" wide which was a wrestling match to cut. Thank goodness these curtains are small, I don't know how people deal with huge panels of slippery material when making really large curtains. Yeah, sheers are a real pain to cut...so try tearing before you resort to cutting. Most plain weave sheers tear beautifully...crosswise AND lengthwise. And it's the best way to make sure they're perfectly on grain. Just snip thru the selvedge & rip! To tear lengthwise, snip to start your tear in the right direction. I always tear sheers & cottons for curtains. It's the best way to square them up...& the easiest way to get all your panels the exact length.
lgrande   Advanced Beginner MT USA Member since 1/18/12 Posts: 1034	Login to reply to this post In reply to path49 << Like this post Date: 6/5/12 2:17 PM Wow! That's a great tip, thanks for posting. ------ Linda Bernina 830LE Bernina B530 Janome 6600P Pfaff 1209 Babylock Evolution Janome 644D
lkmbpk Intermediate FL USA Member since 12/28/09 Posts: 538	Login to reply to this post In reply to dimiko << Like this post Date: 6/6/12 10:39 PM That's what I did and it turned out nice. I did a rolled hem on the sides as well. They've been washed a couple of times and the hems still look nice. ------ Doo-doo-DOO-doo, Doo-doo-DOO-doo...... You're traveling through another dimension -- a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's a signpost up ahead: your next stop: the Internet!
JenSews2   Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 2/21/04 Posts: 1314	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/7/12 0:37 AM I serged (3 thread) the bottom of my sheers then did a 2" double hem. You cannot really see the serged edge through the folds of fabric unless you are up close and looking for it. No one else would notice it but me! I would do the same over again with a 3 thread narrow hem so it would show slightly less. I think it would only matter if the light is shining through the curtain as the amount it would show. If the sheer hem is in the light, you may see it more than if it was in the shadow against a wall. It made a HUGE difference in the sewing since the serged edge was easy to work with and the sheer fabric frayed easily. The security of less future fraying was worth the slight bit you can see at the bottom of the curtain for me. edited to add... I know that 2" was a narrower than normal hem, but this was for a 96" tall x 96" wide window and it just looked better than the 4" hem. The weight of the fabric at that length was plenty that it hangs very well!! -- Edited on 6/7/12 0:40 AM -- ------ *Jen* If I stitch fast enough, does it count as aerobic exercise?

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