How to Hem Satin Curtains

Hemming your curtains gives them a smooth edge.

Satin is a luxurious fabric that makes for elegant boudoir draperies. Adjusting the hem of satin curtains, either store bought or custom made, is a task you can get accomplish without much trouble yourself. Even though sewing can be intimidating, hemming a piece of satin is actually quite simple and doesn't require extensive sewing experience. Using the correct tools to help you create a straight hem is important, as is treating the satin properly, particularly when applying heat to press the folded edge at the beginning of the process.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing pins
• Ironing board
• Pressing cloth
• Iron
• Needle and thread or loaded sewing machine
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Fold the bottom of the curtain up 1 inch all the way across. Secure the satin to itself using sewing pins every 4 inches or so along the edge of the fabric.

2. Place the curtains on an ironing board and turn your iron on to the "Warm" setting.

3. Place a protective pressing cloth over the satin and iron the pinned bottom edge to press the fold flat. The pressing cloth protects the synthetic fabric, which can pucker and melt under direct heat.

4. Create a straight line of stitches using a needle and thread or loaded sewing machine across the top edge of the folded fabric. Cut the needle away using a pair of scissors and remove the sewing pins.

5. Repeat the process with the right and left side of the curtains, but only folding the edges in 1/2 inch instead of 1 inch.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use the steam setting on your iron or spray the satin with water as you are ironing.