Drapery • Sewing Drapery • Curtain Ideas
Drapery and Curtain Sewing Techniques
Mitered Hem Corners
On drapery and curtains the side and bottom hems should be mitered where they meet at the lower corners; this eliminates the gap that would otherwise form along the edge when one hem is folded over the other. For best results, the side and bottom hems should be the same depth.
- On the right side of the fabric, mark the side and bottom hem allowances at each corner. Using a 45-degree right-angle triangle, mark a diagonal line across each corner at the intersection of the line.
- Turn the curtain wrong side up. Press the fabric to the wrong side along the marked diagonal.
- Press up the bottom hem all across the drapery; pin and sew, leaving the miter open. If desired, slip a covered curtain weight inside the miter and tack to secure (see right).
- Press up the side allowance along the length of the drapery; pin and sew, slipstitching the miter closed.
Drapery and Curtain Weights
Weights can help drapery and curtains hang smoothly; on lightweight fabrics they also minimize the fluttering caused by a breeze. There are two kinds of weights.
Disk weights are quarter-size pieces of lead. To prepare, cut two squares of muslin or lining fabric slightly larger than the weight, place the weight between them, and sew the fabric together along all edges. Sew one inside each lower corner of the drapery or curtain. If you'll need more than a couple, make a set using a folded strip of fabric.
Chain weights are small metal pellets enclosed in a cloth tube (similar to a shoelace). Chain weights are sold by the yard. Cut them to the length required, secure the covering ends with a few stitches, and slip the chain inside the fold of a hem; tack the ends of the chain to the hem allowance and then stitch the hem.