Net curtain edges

lolly5648

I have just bought net curtains for the very first time. In the shop they cut the size I wanted and said they were 'ready to hang'.

Yes I could have hung them but the sides were really badly cut, fraying and uneven. What can I do - I don't have a sewing machine and I think it would be expensive to get someone to do them for me.

guineapig

I have had this problem in the past too, I turned the raw edges unde a tiny fraction, twice & then hand stitched them, it's a pain the pipe, but I have had them for 10 years now so once done that's it!

troll35

If they are really that bad I would be tempted to take them back and ask the shop to redo them. When I've bought nets the sides have always been neatly cut so that they can be hung immediately. (However my windows are odd heights so I have had to make alterations at the top of the net to get the correct drop)

TomsMom

Whether or not to neaten the sides is a personal thing. I always hem the sides of my nets but others are happy to leave them with a neat cut.

If you're happy without side hems, just neaten the cut yourself with some sharp scissors or ask the shop to do it. Otherwise, do as guineapig says, take the time to hand sew them if you haven't got access to a sewing machine. Or you could see if there's anyone local who does this sort of thing for a reasonable price, small ads in local paper or newsagent perhaps - this would be cheaper than arranging through the shop you purchased from.

Barneysmom

I just open them out onto the table and draw a line with tailor chalk and cut very slowly. There's no need to hem, nobody looks that closely.

moanymoany

Barneysmom wrote: »

I just open them out onto the table and draw a line with tailor chalk and cut very slowly. There's no need to hem, nobody looks that closely.

Me too, I've never hemmed the edges. Sounds as though the shop were careless.

ivyleaf

I've got the same problem with my nets too - I think it must be to do with the fabric they're made of, because I never had problems with frayed edges on any of my old ones, which were made of actual "net" - I think the ones I've got now are voile or something. The sides frayed when they were cut. I'm going to have to wash them soon - I was thinking of stitching along the edges first, with a very small stitch (thankfully I've got a sewing machine, though I don't use it much atm so always have to get the manual out to remind myself how to thread it :rolleyes: ) as I don't think I'd be able to get the edges to stay folded under while I was stitching.