Blinds, Shades and Shutters - sewing my own curtains

Is it really neccessary to cut off the salvage edge of fabric when making your own curtains? I plan on just a simple rod pocket at the top, I'm not sure what type of fabric it is so in the future if they need cleaning I thought it might be best to dry clean them. I just don't want the edge to curl or anything when being cleaned. Is that why the edge needs to be trimmed? I am worried that I won't cut it perfectly straight and they will look odd.

I am not a professional, but I have always left the edges that way simply because they seem to be bound tighter and would discourage raveling. I've never had a problem with it altering the way the curtains hang or their overall appearance. I put the selvages to outside edges and use the cut edges for the hem and the pocket area at the top. Depending upon the type fabric determines whether or not I turn the selvages under and seam it or not, as well. It does seem to look more professional when I turn them under and stitch to the inside of the curtain. As tho it helps balance the sides to the top and bottom which have stitching for the hems, and rod pockets.

Watch for other posts. I'm by no means experienced enough to answer this question well.

Kay

Hi,
I usually leave the selvage on, unless its for pleated draperies. There is a wealth of information on any window treatment question at www.professionaldrapery.com If the answer is not there already, it will be in short order. Hope this helps. Jill:D

Thankyou both for your replies. You have been very helpful.

I've been in the window coverings profession for many years and I can tell you from experience to always cut the selvages off your fabric. The reason is because the weave at the selvage is tighter than the rest of the fabric and may cause your seams to pull up giving your treatment and uneven look.

If you are concerned about your fabric fraying, use a serger on your seams or you can also use the zig zag stitch on your machine at the seams.

I have been in this businees for sometime now. You should cut the selvage off and seam the drapes either by hand or machine to hide the cut edge. I have wathced and helped a number of custom drapery makers for this time and all of them cut the selvage off. As for cleaning the drapes unless it is washable material I would not clean them for years with nothing but a vaccuum cleaner with a brush. Most materials will shrink and lose their sizing when cleaned

I have had professionally made curtains. I always purchased washable fabrics. The last company I used did not cut the edge, and they puckered when washed.