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How To Hem Curtains With Sewing Machine: Fast & Easy
Can you hem curtains with a sewing machine? Yes! Hemming curtains with a sewing machine is simple and quick, even if you are new to sewing. It lets you get the perfect length for your windows and save money. This guide will show you just how easy it is.
Why Hem Your Curtains?
Why would you want to hem your curtains?
* Perfect Length: Store-bought curtains might be too long. Hemming makes them just right for your window and room style.
* Nice Look: A straight, neat hem makes curtains look much better. It gives them a finished, custom touch.
* Save Money: It is much cheaper to buy standard curtains and hem them yourself than to order special sizes.
* Learn a Skill: Hemming is a great way to learn basic sewing machine skills. It is a simple project perfect for anyone starting out.
What You Need to Hem Curtains (Simple Tools)
Gathering your tools first makes the job go smoothly. You likely have most of these already.
The Main Machine
You need a sewing machine. Any basic sewing machine will work. You do not need a fancy one. Make sure it works and is threaded.
Stuff for Measuring and Cutting
- Measuring Tape: A long one is best to measure your curtains.
- Fabric Scissors: These scissors are only for fabric. Using them only on fabric keeps them sharp so they cut cleanly.
- Tailor’s Chalk or Fabric Pen: This helps you mark your fabric. It washes away later.
- A Long Ruler or Straight Edge: This helps you draw a straight line across the fabric.
Things to Hold Fabric
- Pins or Fabric Clips: You need these to hold the folded hem in place before you sew. Clips are good for thick fabric.
The Hot Helper (Iron)
- Iron and Ironing Board: Pressing curtain hem before sewing is a very important step. It makes the hem flat and crisp. This helps you sew a straight line easily. Do not skip ironing!
The Right Thread and Needle
Choosing the right thread and needle helps your machine sew smoothly through the curtain fabric.
Best Thread for Curtain Hemming (Simple explanation)
Use a good quality thread. A polyester thread is strong and holds up well. Match the thread color to your curtain fabric as closely as you can. This makes the stitches blend in and look neat.
Sewing Machine Needle for Curtains (Simple explanation)
You need the right sewing machine needle for curtains. A universal needle works for most fabrics. If your curtains are very light or silky, a smaller needle might be better. If they are heavy denim or thick cotton, a larger needle is needed. Needles have numbers; higher numbers are for heavier fabrics. A size 80/12 or 90/14 universal needle is good for most curtains. Make sure the needle is new and sharp. A dull needle can skip stitches or damage the fabric.
Helpers for Sewing (Feet, maybe tape)
Sewing Machine Feet for Curtain Hemming (Simple explanation)
Your sewing machine comes with different sewing machine feet for curtain hemming. The standard or ‘all-purpose’ foot is usually fine for hemming curtains with a straight stitch. Some machines have a blind hem foot, which helps make a nearly invisible stitch, but a straight stitch is strong and easy to do for beginners. There are also hemming feet that can roll the fabric edge for you, but these take practice and are not needed for a simple, fast hem. The standard foot is your best friend here.
Using Hemming Tape on Curtains (Simple explanation)
Using hemming tape on curtains is an optional step. Hemming tape is a double-sided sticky web that melts when you iron it. You can put it inside the folded hem. It holds the hem in place without pins before you sew. Some people even use it instead of sewing, but sewing makes a much stronger and longer-lasting hem for curtains, especially heavy ones. It can be a great helper for beginners to hold the fold perfectly before stitching.
Picking How Your Hem Will Look (Curtain Hem Types)
There are a few simple curtain hem types you can make. The one you choose depends on your fabric and the look you want.
The Single Fold Hem (Very Simple)
This is the easiest hem. You fold the raw edge up just once. The raw edge is hidden inside the fold. This works best for fabrics that do not fray much or when you are using hemming tape or an overlock stitch on the edge first. It is not as strong or neat as a double fold for most curtain fabrics.
The Double Fold Hem (Strong and Neat)
This is the most common type for curtains and clothes. You fold the raw edge up once, then fold it up again. The raw edge is fully hidden inside the second fold. This makes a clean, strong edge that hangs nicely. It is the best choice for most curtain fabrics and is what we will focus on.
The Triple Fold Hem (For Heavy Fabric)
For very heavy curtains, you might fold the hem up three times. This adds weight to the bottom, helping the curtains hang straight and smooth. It also makes a very durable hem. It is similar to a double fold but adds another layer of fabric.
Get Your Curtains Ready
Before you measure or cut, you need to get the fabric ready.
Wash Them First
Always wash and dry your curtains the way you plan to wash them later. Fabric can shrink the first time it is washed. If you hem them before washing, they might become too short later. Read the care label. Wash and dry them like it says on the label.
Make Them Flat (Ironing)
Iron your curtains flat after washing and drying. This removes wrinkles and makes it much easier to measure and mark correctly. Work on a large surface like your ironing board or a clean floor.
Figure Out the Right Length (Measuring Curtain Length for Hemming)
This step is very important to get the right length. Measuring curtain length for hemming needs care.
Hang Your Curtains Up
Put the curtains on the rod where they will hang. Use the hangers (like grommets, rod pocket, or hooks) you will use every day. Let them hang for a day or two if you can. This lets the fabric relax and hang naturally.
Decide Where the Bottom Goes
Think about how you want the curtains to look.
* Just Above the Floor: This is a classic look. The hem stops about 1/2 inch above the floor. It hangs neatly and is easy to clean around.
* Touching the Floor: The hem just rests on the floor. This looks soft and full.
* Pooling on the Floor: The hem is longer than needed and puddles on the floor. This is a very dressy, high-fashion look but can get dirty easily.
Mark the spot where the finished bottom of the curtain should be. You can use a pin, a piece of tape, or chalk. Do this on one side of the curtain panel.
Mark Your Cutting or Folding Line
Now, take the curtain down. Lay it flat on a large surface.
Use your mark as a guide. Measure up from this finished hem line towards the top of the curtain.
How much fabric do you need for the hem?
* For a double fold hem, you need the height of the finished hem plus the height of the first fold. A common double fold hem might be 4 inches tall when finished. The first fold to hide the raw edge might be 1 inch. So, you need 4 inches + 1 inch = 5 inches of fabric below your marked finished hem line.
* For a simpler double fold hem, you might fold up 2 inches, then fold up another 2 inches. You need 4 inches of fabric below the finished hem line.
* For a single fold hem, you need the height of the finished hem plus the amount to fold up the raw edge (often 1 inch).
Measure from your marked finished hem line down to where you need to cut. Add that hem allowance amount to your measurement. For example, if you want a 4-inch double hem (folding 2 inches, then 2 inches) and your mark is where the bottom should be, measure 4 inches below that mark. This is your cutting line.
Use your ruler and chalk to draw a straight line across the fabric panel at the cutting line. Make sure this line is straight across the fabric, parallel to the top edge. Do this for all panels.
If your curtains are already close to the right length and you only need a small hem (like 1 or 2 inches total), you might not need to cut. You would just measure up from your marked finished hem line by the amount of the hem allowance (e.g., 2 inches for a 1-inch double fold) and make your first fold there.
Prepare the Fabric Edge (Folding Methods for Curtain Hem)
This part is where you create the actual hem shape. Folding methods for curtain hem are key to a nice result.
The Key Step: Pressing Curtain Hem Before Sewing (Explain why pressing is vital)
Ironing each fold flat before sewing is very important. Pressing curtain hem before sewing helps the fabric stay in place. It makes crisp folds. This guide for your sewing machine foot to follow. It makes sewing a straight line much easier, especially for beginners. Use a hot iron suitable for your fabric.
Making the Double Fold Hem
Let’s use the common double fold hem as an example. We will assume you need a total hem allowance of 4 inches below your marked finished hem line (meaning the finished hem will be about 2 inches tall).
First Fold and Press
If you cut the fabric, you have a raw edge at the bottom.
Fold the raw edge up towards the wrong side of the fabric (the side that faces the window). Fold it up by the amount of your first fold. For a 2-inch finished hem folded twice, fold up 2 inches. Use your measuring tape or a seam gauge to check the fold is even all the way across.
Press this fold flat with your iron. Use steam if your fabric likes it and your iron has it. Pressing creates a crisp line.
Second Fold and Press
Now, fold the fabric up again. Fold it up by the amount of your second fold. For a 2-inch finished hem, fold it up another 2 inches. This fold should meet or go slightly above your marked finished hem line. The raw edge is now hidden inside this double fold.
Again, use your measuring tape to check that this second fold is the same height all the way across.
Press this second fold very well. Pressing makes the hem flat and ready to sew. It should look neat and clean.
Making the Single Fold Hem
If you choose a single fold hem:
Fold the raw edge up towards the wrong side by the full amount of your hem allowance (e.g., 2 inches for a 2-inch finished hem).
Press this fold flat.
You might want to finish the raw edge before folding, using a serger or a zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine, so it does not fray inside the single fold.
Making the Triple Fold Hem
For a triple fold hem (e.g., a 6-inch total hem, folded 2 inches, then 2 inches, then 2 inches):
Fold the raw edge up 2 inches. Press.
Fold up another 2 inches. Press.
Fold up a final 2 inches. Press.
This makes a thick, weighty hem.
Hold It in Place (Pins or Clips)
Now that your hem is folded and pressed, you need to hold it steady for sewing.
Use pins or fabric clips along the top edge of your folded hem. Put pins in sideways, every 6-8 inches, so you can sew over or near them easily. If your fabric is thick, clips work better. Make sure the fold stays flat and even.
Set Up Your Machine for Sewing
Get your sewing machine ready to go.
Threading Simply
Make sure your machine is threaded correctly. Use the best thread for curtain hemming that matches your fabric. Wind a bobbin with the same thread. Put the bobbin in its case or spot. Thread the top thread through all the guides and the needle. Pull both threads under the presser foot and behind it.
Choosing Your Stitch (Sewing Machine Stitches for Curtain Hemming)
What sewing machine stitches for curtain hemming should you use?
The most common and easiest stitch is a straight stitch. It is strong and looks clean.
Set your stitch length to about 2.5 or 3. This is a good length for general sewing. Too short a stitch can make holes in the fabric; too long can be weak.
A zig-zag stitch can be used to finish the raw edge before folding if you like, but it is not needed for a double fold hem where the edge is hidden. A blind hem stitch is used to make the stitch almost invisible on the right side, but it takes practice and is not “fast & easy” for a beginner’s first curtain hem. A simple straight stitch looks perfectly fine and is very strong.
Time to Sew! (Step-by-Step)
Now you will sew the hem.
Start Sewing Carefully
Place the curtain panel under the presser foot. Put the fabric so the edge of the folded hem is just under the foot. The needle should go into the fabric about 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch away from the top folded edge of the hem. Sewing close to the edge looks best and catches all the fabric layers.
Lower the presser foot.
Sew Across the Hem
Start sewing slowly. Sew a few stitches, then stop and press the reverse stitch button. Sew backwards a few stitches to lock the seam. Then sew forward again.
Keep sewing in a straight line all the way across the hem. Use the edge of your presser foot or a marking on your machine as a guide to keep the stitch line a steady distance from the folded edge. This helps keep your stitch line straight.
If you used pins, remove them as you sew before you get to them with the needle. Do not sew over pins. If you used clips, remove them as you go.
Finish the Seam
When you reach the other end of the curtain panel, sew to the edge, then press the reverse button and sew backward a few stitches to lock the seam again.
Lift the needle and the presser foot. Pull the fabric out from the machine. Cut the threads, leaving tails about 4 inches long.
Simple Tips for Anyone New (Beginner Curtain Hemming)
If this is your first time, here are some extra tips for beginner curtain hemming:
Practice First
If you are new to your machine or hemming, take a scrap piece of the curtain fabric or a similar fabric. Practice folding the hem and sewing a straight line on the scrap. This helps you get the feel for the fabric and the machine settings before working on the actual curtain.
Go Slow
There is no rush. Sew slowly and steadily. This helps you keep the line straight and control the fabric.
Use Lots of Pins
Do not be shy with pins (or clips). Use enough to really hold the hem flat and in place. This prevents the fabric from shifting as you sew.
Always Press
We said it before, but it is worth saying again. Pressing curtain hem before sewing is the secret to a nice hem. Press each fold. Press the finished hem. It makes a big difference.
Don’t Need Perfect
Your first hem might not be perfectly straight. That is okay! Curtains hang in folds, and small wobbles in the stitching will not be seen. Focus on making the hem the right length and making it strong. Every project helps you get better.
Using Hemming Tape (As an alternative or helper)
As mentioned, using hemming tape on curtains can be a helpful step.
If you use it as a helper before sewing:
1. Fold the hem as planned (e.g., the first fold of your double hem). Press.
2. Lay the hemming tape inside the second fold, close to the first folded edge. Do not let it stick out.
3. Fold the hem the second time, covering the tape.
4. Press with a hot iron. The heat melts the tape and glues the layers together.
5. Now the hem is held flat and straight by the tape. You can sew along the top edge, and the tape keeps everything in place. This is great for tricky fabrics or if you struggle with pinning.
If you use hemming tape instead of sewing for very light curtains:
1. Prepare the raw edge (maybe with a narrow double fold).
2. Place the tape inside the final fold.
3. Press very well according to the tape instructions.
Keep in mind tape hems are not as strong or durable as sewn hems and may not hold up through many washes, especially on heavier fabrics.
Simple Answers to Common Questions (FAQ)
- Q: My curtain fabric is thick. What should I do?
A: Use a larger needle (like a 90/14 or 100/16) and stronger thread. A double or triple fold hem works well for weight. Clips might work better than pins. Sew slowly. - Q: My fabric is slippery. How can I sew it?
A: Pins or hemming tape are extra helpful here. You might need a special walking foot on your machine; it helps feed slippery layers evenly. Go very slowly and guide the fabric carefully. Pressing is very important. - Q: What if my hem is crooked?
A: If it is just a little bit, do not worry, curtains hang in folds. If it is very crooked, you can use a seam ripper to take out the stitches. Then press the fabric flat again and try sewing that section slowly. - Q: How wide should a curtain hem be?
A: It depends on the curtain weight and style. A common finished double fold hem is 2 to 4 inches wide. Heavier curtains look good with a wider hem (3-6 inches). Lighter curtains can have a narrower one (1-2 inches). A wider hem adds weight and helps curtains hang well.
You Did It! (Conclusion)
See? Hemming curtains with a sewing machine is a simple task. With a few tools, careful measuring (measuring curtain length for hemming), good pressing (pressing curtain hem before sewing), and a straight stitch using the right sewing machine needle for curtains and best thread for curtain hemming, you can easily make your curtains the perfect length. Using simple folding methods for curtain hem and choosing from basic curtain hem types makes it easy to start. Beginner curtain hemming is a great first project. So get your machine ready, choose your sewing machine stitches for curtain hemming, pick the right sewing machine feet for curtain hemming, maybe try using hemming tape on curtains, and start sewing. You will have beautiful, perfectly hemmed curtains in no time!