How to Finish the Hem on Inverted Pleated Curtains

Hem the bottom of pleated curtains to give them definition and weight.

Pleated curtains add stylish sophistication to windows, complementing many different interior design styles. The pleats along the curtain header might be the "pinch-style" French pleats or they could be inverted pleat -- where the fabric folds and meets in the front of the pleat, with the pleat lying behind the fabric folds. As you finish the hem on inverted pleat curtains, the trick is to make sure you have 8 inches of extra curtain length to hem the curtains by double-folding them. You will use 2 inches of this excess at the top of the curtains.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Iron
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Blind hem foot
• Matching thread

Instructions

1. Lay out the fabric of the curtains on a flat work surface, so you can work on the hem. Measure 3 inches up from the bottom edge, and fold the fabric to the wrong side along this line. Press this fold well with the iron.

2. Fold the bottom edge of the fabric up a second time to the wrong side and press this fold well. You should now have two 3-inch folds along the bottom edge of the curtains. Pin the folds with straight pins.

3. Fit the blind hem foot into your sewing machine and thread the machine with matching thread.

4. Position the folded edge of the curtain into your sewing machine with the right side of the fabric facing down and the folded edge facing the blind hem foot. Fold the entire hem under toward the right side of the fabric so that you can still see 1/4 inch of the hem under the folded fabric. You should now see the wrong side of the curtain fabric with the 1/4-inch section of the hem sticking out along the right edge.

5. Insert the fabric under the presser foot with folded edge of the wrong side of the fabric snug up against the center guide of the blind hem foot. The 1/4-inch section of hem extends beyond the center guide and this is where you will sew most of the stitches.

6. Lower the presser foot and set your machine to sew a blind hem stitch. Begin stitching -- your machine will sew a straight stitch along the 1/4-inch section of hem with a zigzag stitch every 2 or 3 inches along the hemline, catching the wrong side of the fabric to tack it in place. Continue stitching along the entire length of the curtains.

7. Remove the straight pins to finish hemming the inverted pleat curtains.

Tips & Warnings

• Double folding means that you fold the fabric up one-half of the entire hem allowance and then fold it up a second time for a double-folded hem.

References

• Alternative Windows: Making Unlined Curtains Instructions
• Simple Sewing Projects: How To Sew a Blind Hem Stitch
• Drea Custom Designs: Drapery Terminology