30-Minutes with Workroom Tech: Episode Six / Smiling Draperies

In episode six of the Sew Much More Podcast: 30-Minutes with Workroom Tech, host Ceil DiGuglielmo and Susan Woodcock discuss side hem take-up... also known as "smiling draperies". It's a common problem so keep reading, and listen to the podcast (air date December 26, 2018) for tips and solutions.

You can listen to the podcast here: 30-Minutes with Workroom Tech Podcast

What are "smiling draperies"?

On a drapery, the side hems can end up slightly shorter than the rest of the drapery panel. It sounds happy... but it makes workrooms frown.

Keep in mind that every job is different whether it’s the fiber content, linings or lining combinations, and there are different finishing techniques. Once you’ve worked with a lot of different materials, you will gain the knowledge and experience to know what to do… and what not to do! It can be challenging but every job will teach you something new.

Susan's Top Five Tips for Preventing Take Up on Side Hems

1. Remove as much bulk as you can.

Traditionally, draperies have double folded side hems. With each "turn of the cloth", there is a tiny bit of take up. This can become a problem with thicker fabrics, or when adding linings and interlinings into the side hems. For lined only draperies, trim away the lining for a single fold into the side hem, or cut the lining even with the finished width. For interlined draperies, cut the interlining 1.5 inches less than the face fabric on each side so it will single-fold into the double-fold side hem, and cut the lin