Do you know how to hem curtains by hand? If not, then you’re in the right place!
You will know that a curtain panel is custom-made if its hem is hand-sewn.
Sewing by hand is also the quick solution for ready-made curtains panels you bought that are too long.
While it is easier to hem using a sewing machine, not all have one at home.
But don’t worry because we will be teaching you how to hem by hand in this post.
Remember, if the hem is well-sewn, it can add weight to the curtain’s bottom edge, thereby keeping it straight as you hang them.
It takes practice to learn how to sew by hand.
But even if it is your first time doing this, you can get it right for as long as you do it with care.
6 Easy Steps To Hem Curtains By Hand
How to hem curtains by hand?
There are many ways to hem your curtains, but the procedure below is the catch-stitch or cross hemming technique.
Step #1. First thing first
You need to get your curtain and lay it flatly on a table with the raw side facing upward, and its bottom edge positioned toward you.
Fold the edge to your desired hemming length and press.
Pin the hem across your curtain panel’s width to keep it in place.
You might as well double hem your curtain if you like, as it can help in keeping it hanging straight.
Step #2. Threading
Thread about 5 feet long sewing thread into a needle and tie its end into a knot.
You can use a needle of any length.
Some sewers liked to use short needles because it is easier to handle them, but some opt for longer ones.
In case you are not sure which one to use, you can make sample hems to test needles of different lengths.
Then find the one that you are most comfortable with.
Step #3. Start hemming at the left edge
You can take small stitches from the left to the right to the top of the hem fold.
This stitching method uses a single thread.
Pull the needle all the way through until the end of the thread.
Hold the extra thread onto the hem using your left thumb.
Make sure that the needle won’t be passing below the excess thread.
Step #4. Start stitching the fabric
Do so right above the hem into tiny stitches only. It is better to have smaller stitches as possible.
Remember to use up to three threads only.
That is because you wouldn’t want your stitches to be visible which is usually the case when you use more fabric threads.
Ensure to be extra careful so that the threads won’t tangle with each other.
As you pull the thread, make sure to hold down the excess thread lightly.
This is also done to prevent them from being tangled.
Again, the needle must not pass below the excess thread.
Step #5. Start making stitches on top of the hem fold
You should insert the needle starting from the right towards the left into the top of the fold, then exit the folded hem.
As you can see, the thread is running between the two-layer hem, and the stitch will complete the cross pattern.
Step #6. Continue to sew the hem of the other side
Just make small stitches towards the top of the folded hem to tie up the thread and cut off any excess.
Other Ways To Hem Curtains By Hand
Although machine sewing your curtain’s hem is faster and easier to do, sewing by hand can also give almost the same invisible finish.
Below is the list of other hand stitching methods that you may use.
Method #1. Blind stitch
A blind stitch is a hand sewing method that produces a barely visible result to the other side of the fabric.
The finishing of your hemming project will look professional using this sewing technique.
Method #2. Slip stitch
This stitching method is best used for double folded hem.
That is because most of the stitches are concealed within the hem’s upper fold.
Like the previous stitching method, it is useful if you want both sides of your hem to look good.
If only you have the slip stitch correctly, the stitch wouldn’t be visible once done.
Method #3. Fell stitch
Fell stitch is a bit stronger than the slip stitch.
However, you can see the stitching from the underside of the fabric.
This is especially true if the fabric is single-layered only and if it is thin.
On bulkier fabric, on the other hand, you can keep the thread hidden by allowing it to pass on a portion of a fabric’s thickness only.
You can even hide the stitch completely if the fabric has linings.
This can be done by stitching through the hem and the lining only.
Method #4. Hand-rolled hem
Lastly, we have this hemming technique that is great for sheer and other lightweight fabrics.
But this may not work well on embellished or thicker fabrics.
It is straightforward to sew a rolled hem by hand.
It’s A Wrap!
There are different ways of stitching the hem of your curtain by hand.
Although it isn’t as fast and easy as machine sewing, you can still achieve great results if you know how to do it.
That is how to hem curtains by hand.
Happy sewing, ladies!