The Sewing Place

Curtain selvedges

Snowgoose

Curtain selvedges
« on: May 18, 2017, 14:47:13 PM »
Please can someone advise?  Is it absolutely essential to remove the selvedges on curtain fabric?  I would rather not, as the fabric is the right width with them intact, allowing for seam allowance, and I'm worried about fraying.

I have yards of fabric on the line outside, nicely prewashed and blowing in the breeze - I can't put off trying to make them any longer  :). I'm attempting interlined and lined  :o and am petrified of cutting the fabric  and making a horrible mistake :(

Thank you  8)

Francesca

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2017, 15:11:09 PM »
When I made mine I left them on, I didn't know it was a thing not to  :o

Kad

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2017, 15:15:50 PM »
I too was always told to remove selvedges to allow the fabric to drop evenly. However when I've had a similar problem to you, I've left the selvedges on the fabric and just clipped them at about 4" - 6" intervals. This seemed to be sufficient to allow the curtains to drop evenly across the full width, and my Nan ( curtain making tutor ), never knew  0_0
'Jill' of many aspects of sewing, "Mistress" of few.

Acorn

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2017, 15:52:43 PM »
I have made many, many pairs of curtains and I have never, ever removed the selvedge.

I've also just looked at my professionally made-to-measure curtains, and they have their selvedges intact as well.
I might look as though I'm talking to you, but inside my head I'm sewing.

Snowgoose

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2017, 17:25:02 PM »
Brilliant!  Thank you all  :flower:  Selvedges are staying!!   :D

Ohsewsimple

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2017, 18:41:55 PM »
If you,re leaving them on you will have to clip them as Kad says.  I don't make curtains if I can help it now.   But when I have I always take the selvedges off.  The selvedge is much tighter than the rest of the fabric.  So when they are made, although the they look fine to start with, they never hang right.  I'm sure lots of made curtains have the selvedges left on.  In my experience, many of the are not well made.  Including the ones I had done in John Lewis.  I also never use selvedges in my dressmaking for the same reason.  You always  get a distorted seam.

Acorn

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2017, 19:28:32 PM »
My professionally made ones (four pairs) have been hanging in various houses for over 15 years.  My me-made ones have been hanging for up to 20/25 years.  None of them show the slightest distortion or wrinkle at the seams.
I might look as though I'm talking to you, but inside my head I'm sewing.

Efemera

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #7 on: May 18, 2017, 20:07:40 PM »
Made dozens of curtains...never removed the edges...never had a problem

Francesca

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #8 on: May 18, 2017, 21:36:44 PM »
I personally think this is all a conspiracy to make me do extra work.

Bodgeitandscarper

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #9 on: May 18, 2017, 21:44:18 PM »
I've never heard of removing selvedges, but I can see why you might.  I'd guess it depends on the type of fabric and density of weave whether it would affect the hang or not.

Snowgoose

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #10 on: May 18, 2017, 23:21:28 PM »
I'm using cotton fabric, pretty fabric from eBay.  It's my first attempt at curtain making - they are desperately needed! 

I think for these first ones I'll try leaving the selvedges on as they will be in a room where they won't be seen very much.  The others I'll probably try removing them as they will be in the living room and I would like them to hang nicely 8)

I must have watched the You Tube tutorial by Lauren Guthrie a dozen times!  I think I will use the machine for the first pair though, using this tutorial http://reddoorhome.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/how-to-sew-curtain-panels-with-lining.html and then do the living room ones the 'proper' way  :) My biggest fear is cutting the fabric, so nervous of making mistakes!

BrendaP

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #11 on: May 19, 2017, 09:44:07 AM »
It depends on the fabric as some selvedges are tighter than others.

In the grand scheme of things when you are making curtains the time taken to trim off the selvedges is not that much, but unless the selvedges look very tight I do tend to leave them on.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Vegegrow

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #12 on: May 19, 2017, 19:48:38 PM »
Another one who has never taken off the selvedge..
"The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary." ~Mary Kurtz

Hummingbird

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #13 on: May 20, 2017, 10:36:07 AM »
May not apply in your case, but another reason for removing the selvedges can be to take off the text etc printed on them if it might show through light fabric once the curtains/blinds are hanging at the window.

b15erk

Re: Curtain selvedges
« Reply #14 on: May 20, 2017, 11:52:10 AM »
Never removed the selvedges personally, but I can see why you would.  I've snipped into them very often if they looked as if the were pulling a bit.

Also on sheers I think it may be necessary.

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.