5 Tips For Sewing Sheer Window Treatments
When sewing sheer window treatments (and unlined window treatments)... it's easy to be stumped on how to handle sheer fabric and unlined treatments.
Well, I'm going to give you 5 critical tips to help you be successful at sewing window treatments PLUS have them look more professional!
So, here we go...
Tip #1. Sew a 3' double hem for your bottom hem. Yes, you still want a nice fat hem for your drapery, even if you're sewing a sheer. Anything less will look store bought. And in case you don't know what a double hem is... it's the edge folded twice. So, fold up once... press.... then fold up again... press and stitch in place.
Tip #2. Use long straight stitches. This is true for all drapery and especially true when working with a sheer. Set the stitch length to the longest setting on your machine and make sure your tension isn't tight. When you don't have the thickness of lining, it's easy to have your sewing machine set too tight.... causing synching.
Tip #3. If you plan on using any sort of tape... roman shade tape, pleating tape, rib tape, etc... use translucent tape. This is tape designed for sheer treatments. It's see through (translucent) and makes it less obvious on a sheer treatment.
Tip #4. Use french seams when piecing your fabric. If you are sewing wide panels that require pieceing the fabric, you should sew french seams instead of normal seams. French seams enclose the raw edges inside itself leaving a clean finish.
Tip #5. Add a weight rod or drapery weights to give your window treatment some shape. Sheer window treatments tend to be light and may not hang exactly the way you expect. To help give your draperies some shape and control, sew a drapery weight into the bottom corners of your hem. And for a roman shade, make sure you add a weight rod into the bottom hem. Nothing too heavy though, you don't want to stretch the fabric.
Using these tips when sewing sheer window treatments will add to your success.
Happy Sewing!
Jennifer Thoden
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You can find all of your translucent tapes at http://www.roman-shades-shop.com
Jennifer Thoden has helped thousands of people just like you to successfully sew window treatments and to decorate their homes beautifully.
Article Source: Simple Sewing Projects
