How to Hand Sew Curtain Headers

If you're making curtains without the aid of a sewing machine, the job takes a little longer. The good news is that it's not impossible. You can hand sew curtain headers quite easily but you need to double the thread and take smaller stitches. You'll use back stitches when you hand sew the header pleats and hemming stitches for the backside of the curtain header.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape Fabric for curtain Liner fabric Iron Scissors Pins Needle Thread

1. Create pinch pleat header. There are various types of pleats but this is the most frequently used one. This pleat is three smaller pleats put together as a group. You need to use material about 2 1/2 to 3 times the width of the window if you want the proper fullness. These are best when lined.

2. Cut the fabric and decide the number of pleats that you want. Normally pleats use about 4 1/2 to 5 inches of fabric for each pleat. They have a space between them of 5 to 6 inches, so you can calculate that you'll have a pleat every 10 inches. This gives you an estimate how many you should put on a panel.

3. Measure the fabric to the width of the window and multiply it times 2 1/2 and add 4 inches to each side. Turn the fabric wrong side up and fold the edges in 4 inches on all sides. Iron the sides flat. Snip all four corners from the pointed end to right above the fold line. Turn the points toward the center at the fold on the top. Turn under the top 1/4 inch and press. Do the same process on the side, except fold the flap down. Turn the side panel under 1/4 inch at the edge and press. Do the same for the bottom and other side.

4. Keep the sides folded inward and measure the material for the curtain. Cut a piece of liner slightly smaller than that measurement. Open the sides, top and bottom of the curtain material. Lay the liner flat against the center with the wrong sides together. Fold the sides over the liner, and then fold the top and bottom over the side panels and liner.

5. Pin the material all the way around the border. Stitch through the top first. Use a small stitch to hem the fabric down at the top of the curtain. Make sure that you catch all three layers. Use a backstitch to tack down the outer edges of the curtain on both the top and bottom hem.

6. Decide the width of the pleats and the number of them by the width of the window and your fabric. You want the pleats to start at least 4 to 6 inches from the edge. If you use the calculations above, each pleat should use 4 1/2 inches of fabric. Decide the number of pleats that fit so you have an equal amount of fabric at least 4 to 6 inches on each side.

7. Create the pinch pleats. Begin 4 to 6 inches from the edge on the wrong side of the fabric. Put in a pin. Measure the distance of approximately 11/2 inch from the pin and place another pin. Measure another 1 1/2 inch and place another pin. Finally do it the third time. Gather the pins together leaving fabric pleats on the other side. Stitch together in the front at the base of the pleats, starting at the hemline, using a small backstitch. Continue across the curtains until you have all the pleats necessary.