Hello fellow weavers,

I have let my unhemmed net curtain panels (pictured in my projects) hang to "find" themselves for about week and it is now time to hem them up.  Any suggestions?  The simplest hem, a pressed, double folded hem, is a possibility, and I could try to heavily press the 20/6 cotton net to get a good fold line.  I doubt that I'll get a knife-edge crease....  I could weight the hem with a small chain to work around this problem and to improve drape.    I have faffed with the curtain a bit this morning, seeing what looks good, and a deep hem of bulky, folded over fabric is not the look.  When I have sewed curtains in the past from commercial fabric, they were always lined and had deep hems and crisp edges, but I think that handwovens merit a lighter touch.  I have seen a picture of handmade curtains with a rolled hem, but that curtain was made from very fine cotton and pressed beautifully -- I think rolling a narrow hem might look goofy with my coarse thread net curtain with its open structure.  Does anyone have an idea to share?  I have thought of stitching a handwoven band on the hem without doubling the curtain fabric.  From the back, the zigzagged raw edge of the curtain hem would be visible, but since I'm thinking of a band in a color to match the curtain rather than a strong accent, I think that the raw zigzagged edge of the curtain would blend into the color of the band.   I have never woven a band, so that would be a nice adventure.  I could use coordinating cotton in a lighter weight than 20/6 to avoid bulk and interference with drape. 

I have many years of experience with handsewing and embroidery, but handwovens sure represent another challenge!!!!  I welcome your suggestions!

Susan

 

 

Comments

Thu, 04/27/2017 - 17:37

sandra.eberhar…

I think I would look at a single fold hem using a lace hemtape. This can be found in better sewing stores, or you could make your own. This would hide the raw edge better than a zig zag. You could use a satin stitch on the edge, but it would make it stiff. Someone who is familiar with what a serger will do may have some ideas.
Fri, 04/28/2017 - 10:23

Missus T.

I have hem tape in stash and can stitch a sample on a scrap to see how it will work.  I have a serger, but the almost cord-like texture of the cloth, combined with the open weave, meant that the serged sample finish was less secure than a zigzag! 

 

Fri, 04/28/2017 - 12:22

sandra.eberhar…

Another idea might be a faced hem.  You would need lighter weight fabric of a similar color.  You sew a strip of cloth to the edge and turn  that up to make the hem.  This can be done with hem tape also.

Fri, 04/28/2017 - 13:22

Missus T.

I could quickly weave a matching 16/2 hem tape in plain weave and do this!  Great idea.  I have a 12 yard warp of more curtains ready to beam, so it would great to get the hemming done!  Thanks for the brainstorm... I'll post the results when I get 'em!  TGIF!

Sun, 04/30/2017 - 06:27

Sara von Tresckow

You might also wish to work in some curtain weighting chain when turning your hem. Even with the facing ideas presented here, you should look at the white fabric covered metal chain used commercially to weight curtains. When I displayed whisper light ondule fabric at Convergence last year, I did a hand rolled hem that included the chain (is available from curtain places online). If the hem turn is nice and straight, the effect is a very even bottom edge held down with just enough weight to keep the hang stable.
Mon, 05/01/2017 - 11:41

Missus T.

Thank you for your input, Sara.

A rolled, weighted hem sounds like another good idea.  I can see that I shall have to sample my finishes as well as my weaves!  I'll be sure to post any pictures to this thread so you may see who it turned out.  Have a fantastic day!

Susan