Hand sewing curtains

pumpkinlife

I need a bit of advice.

I have just bought some fabric and tape and want to make a pair of curtains for my sons room. I don't have loads of experience with sewing, I don't have a sewing machine (and even if I did, I wouldn't know how to use it) so was going to hand sew them. I realise that this is going to take me a long time.

Firstly, would it be easier to have a loose or sewn in lining, or would it be better to have a seperate lining that I just clip on to the back? I don't want to create more work for myself than I have to but on the flip side I don't want to spend so much time and energy and end up with a substandard curtain.

Secondly, do I wash and iron the fabric before I start? Or can I just use it off the ream. It says '4% shrinkage' on the cardboard sleeve.

I am probably over thinking this, I know. Perhaps I am just procrastinating and should just get on with it! Any advice would be much appreciated, I was going to begin next week.

rachbc

really good quality made to measure curtains will be hand sewn so you're in good company - I hand sewed my lounge curtains - they are 3m long and 3 widths each so its def possible but it does take time (and depending on the size, space)

Wash and iron fabric first so any shrinkage happens then. I'm not a fan of clip on linings as find they don't hang well so if you are going to the effort I'd say sew in linings. I'd recommend getting a library book on curtain making if you've never done it before, and you can get free instructions online too

Jacey53

If you intend to wash the curtains later on then i think you should pre-wash the fabric to pre-shrink it.
You will need to do the same with the lining fabric. Check first that both are washable.
When I was taught to make curtains, most of the sewing was done by hand anyway - most of the stitching is big, so it doesn't really take that long.

The toughest bit will be attatching the header tape - is there someone who could just run that round on a machine for you?

You may find some decent instructions on you tube or by googling hand sewing curtains or similar.

If not - come back and i will try to help - or there will be others better at explaining than me.

tanith

I'd say its a long but possible job and I have sewn curtains by hand including the header tape... I'd also say it will be easier with the lining sewn in too in fact if you put the two pieces back to back (right sides tog) and sew up the side seams first it will also cut down on the amount of seams you have to sew... either google it or get a book from the library as suggested but do come back if you have questions...

maryb

If the curtains are wide then I would really recommend doing locked in linings rather than sewing them like a bag. With locked in linings you hand sew your side and bottom hems on the curtain fabric to start with then you put the two fabrics wrong sides together one on top of the other then fold the lining back down the length of the fabric in the middle. You then basically catch stitch the lining to the top fabric - do a very long buttonhole stitch down the fold only catching a thread of the curtain fabric and a couple of threads of the lining fabric. This goes very quickly because your catch stitces should be about three to four inches apart. Fold the two fabrics flat again wrobg sides together then make another fold nearer the selvage and repeat at intevals until you have done the whole width of the curtain. The distance between the lines of catch stitching should be about 8 inches.

When you have done this fold in your lining side and bottom hems and stitch them down to the curtain hems. Then your two fabrics will move as if they are one layer and the curtain will hang really well.

You can also use this method to interline the curtain with some insulating fabric - sometimes called 'bump'. I buy it for £2.25 a meter at my local market and it makes a huge difference to the warmth of the curtain - almost as good as double glazing. Just do the same as above with the interlining first, then trim off any excess so that it lies just over the edge of the curtain hem and catch stitch it down all round. Then you repeat the process with the lining so that all three layers are locked together.

It goes surprisngly quickly and the curtains will do you proud for years.

pumpkinlife

Thank you all for your replies. I think this is going to be more complicated than I thought.

I have a basic sewing book; and a Designers Guild soft furnishings book from the early 1980's. I think I will also be looking at your responses as I go along as I am having trouble visualising.

Maryb, am I right in thinking that you mean vertical lines of catch stitching about 8 inches apart across the width of the curtain? I think I will line them, what with 'preparing for winter' and all. If they get finished before february!

Ches

I was told by a lady who made curtains for a large local department store that you should always do the hems before the tops as then any irregularities/wonky bits are at the top and un-noticeable when the tape is drawn up.

maryb

Yes, the lines of catch stitching run vertically. All the thread is sandwiched inside the layers and you only see a small stich on the sides that show

meritaten

I applaud you for having a go at curtains without a sewing machine - but question your sanity! have you heard of fabric glue? or hemming web? IF I ever had to hand sew a big project - it wouldnt be curtains! it would be a quilt or similar. curtains I can buy even cheaper than I can make (with a sewing machine) off Ideal World or at Shaws. unless I had the fabric for nothing I wouldnt consider making curtains..............but my sis does, but then she has a sewing machine.