sewing machine for curtain hem

frankie

I need to shorten a couple of ready made curtains and looking at the costs (£30 a curtain with lining) I reckon it would be at least worth investigating investing in a cheap sewing machine.

I've seen a couple on line at £89 - £100. (Janone 2015s etc) So to have set of curtains with lining coming in at £60, it could be more cost effective.

However, do these types of budget machines have the umpf to hem up curtains?

Would use the machine again for a couple of other sets and the occassional trouser hem.

Advice and suggestions most welcome.

PS don't really want to go the hand stitching route, my homeward bounders are terrible!

gemstars

In general, cheap machines aren't strong enough to handle thick curtain fabric. In my opinion you'd be looking at around £200 minimum for a decent machine.

If you don't want to hand stitch, what about wonder web?

imho

Don't forget that when you wash the curtains they might shrink anyway.
Can you move the curtain rail higher so you don't need to take curtains up?

frankie

gemstars wrote: »

If you don't want to hand stitch, what about wonder web?

Good point - will investigate, thanks

frankie

imho wrote: »

Don't forget that when you wash the curtains they might shrink anyway.
Can you move the curtain rail higher so you don't need to take curtains up?

Curtains I've come accross are all dry clean only?

Can't move rail any higher/lower, seems curtain lengths come in 72 and 90 inches for 'full length' they fall between the proverbial 2 stools!!

Thanks anyway.

lstar337

gemstars wrote: »

In general, cheap machines aren't strong enough to handle thick curtain fabric. In my opinion you'd be looking at around £200 minimum for a decent machine.

Just for a different opinion, I bought a crummy £12 plastic Chinese sewing machine from eBay that handles curtain fabric just fine.

Don't get me wrong, it is a horrid beast of a machine that only does a single stitch type, only has two speeds, and won't back stitch at all, but somehow I managed to make 10 cushions out of an old pair of curtains with it.

I used it to hem, and stitch through (in some places) 8 layers of fabric. The fabric wasn't that thick, but I was still surprised the little thing managed it.

This was it: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Home-Household-2-Speed-Mini-Multi-Function-Sewing-Machine-Portable-/291930949573?epid=598206108&hash=item43f870c7c5:g:Vs4AAOSwHMJYGbqN

I wouldn't suggest you buy one though. :rotfl:

adandem

Shorten from the top, this is what I do if curtains have a standard tape heading.

sew_what

adandem wrote: »

Shorten from the top, this is what I do if curtains have a standard tape heading.

I agree - much easier than messing around with mitred corners and hems!

What about a cheapish maching from John Lewis, you can try them instore before you buy. This one says it will sew denim. A cheaper machine might be OK, but if it's thick fabric then try a denim needle (sharp and strong) for the best results!
https://www.johnlewis.com/janome-decor-excel-20-sewing-machine/p955268

frankie

adandem wrote: »

Shorten from the top, this is what I do if curtains have a standard tape heading.

I have eyelet curtains!

peachyprice

I have a cheap unknown brand machine I bought from Dunelm Mill in an emergency for around £60 when my last Jones one died half way through making costumes for a school play!

I only bought it as a temporary fix but it's been absolutely brilliant. I've made curtains and duvet covers, taken up curtains, hemmed countless pairs of jeans, made clothes, even sewed plastic covered fabric, all without a problem.

I've had it about 15 years now, when this one dies I won't be spending a fortune and will probably get one of the John Lewis £99 ones.

So no, I don't think you need to spend more.

adandem

frankie wrote: »

I have eyelet curtains!

You can buy eyelet tape.