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