I'm only a hand sewer..can I tackle making 'simple' bedroom curtains?

[shadypines]

When I say simple I mean they don't have be look super posh or neat, (not looking like a dog's dinner either) and won't be lined.

I have sewn all my life as in patched things up, not really made anything from scratch but I do a lot of embroidery. I would welcome what experienced MN sewers (hand or machine) think. Thanks.

Yes of course. It's only straight lines. it just takes rather a long time doing it by hand, but if you don't mind that - go for it.

I sew lots of things and I've never owned a sewing machine. I've made cushion covers, table clothes and runners and yes - my daughter's bedroom curtains.

Table cloths that should read!

Thank you for the encouragement Fontella. I'm curious, if you don't mind me asking do you prefer to hand sew? I do not have the space or the time to learn to use a machine at the moment.

Only if you have months to spare. Curtains are easy, but for a simple 2x1m window you are probably looking at about 25m of sewing. Double if you want lining.

Buying a basic machine and spending an hour or two learning how to use it for straight stitch would save hundreds of hours.

Sure, I'd love that Mines but as I say it's just space. Love your name btw.

I estimate 12m based on my recent experience of sewing ridiculous numbers of curtains (new house, huge windows, lots of them).

It's totally doable by hand though would be time consuming. I used machine but made lined ones and our smallest window was 2.1m X 2.6m 😭

Good instructions can be found here
<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=wereinstitches.co.uk/how-to-make-curtains/&ved=2ahUKEwi_oJ_R7sHuAhXbQEEAHZPCBSYQFjAEegQIExAB&usg=AOvVaw2NzyRqSwNIvPBMzoRqHVLL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=wereinstitches.co.uk/how-to-make-curtains/&ved=2ahUKEwi_oJ_R7sHuAhXbQEEAHZPCBSYQFjAEegQIExAB&usg=AOvVaw2NzyRqSwNIvPBMzoRqHVLL

Parts of the curtain making process are best done by hand, in fact easier, as you are working flat on a table rather than pushing it through a sewing machine. Might be a day or two. But other parts are normally machined and stronger that way. Joining the vertical lengths and sewing on the pencil pleat tape for example. You could also hand sew these but it would take a while.
Have you got space to make curtains? Also you will need an iron/ironing board.

helpful book

Yes.

The seams should be fine, but sewing on the curtain header tape (the bit you put curtain hooks into) is very hard on the fingers, so definitely invest in a well fitting thimble or choose a style which didn't require this.
I enjoy hand sewing and find it quite relaxing. Once you get into the flow it's surprisingly quick (although obviously not as fast as a machine); the trick is to avoid using too much thread in the needle as it just knots and wears (and causes bad language), 12 to 15 inches is about right - I knew someone who used to pre-thread a load of needles so she could just keep sewing.
Hope your curtains go well.

@shadypines

Thank you for the encouragement Fontella. I'm curious, if you don't mind me asking do you prefer to hand sew? I do not have the space or the time to learn to use a machine at the moment.

It's a long story!

I'm quite old and very left-handed. I was absolutely useless at sewing at school. It took me two years to make a gingham apron! Got into all sorts of muddles with the sewing machine (due in part to my left-handedness) and the teacher gave up on me. During sewing class she used to send me to the shops to get the ingredients for the cookery class, just to get me out of the way!

For years I was convinced I couldn't sew a thing but then when I had kids I started repairing things and then even making bits and bobs (costumes/world book day etc.) and I realised that you could do a lot with just hand sewing, which I am perfectly competent with, even though I'm cack-handed as I used to get called as a kid!

I've got a very 'cottagey' style home, so for little craft projects I've made cushion covers, table runners and so on.. Then I made a curtain to cover an open cupboard in the kitchen and then as I say, my daughter's bedroom curtains. It took me a while but I just sat there sewing while watching a film or better still - listening to radio plays on youtube, so no need to even look at the screen.

As someone else said up thread, make sure you invest in a good thimble and forgetthehousework what a brilliant idea to thread loads of needles in advance! Never occurred to me before.

It can be done.

I made a very simple bedroom by hand for one window. I made my life easier by using a single duvet cover and adapting it.

Ooh you are all so industrious I have great admiration for your skills and thank you for all the advice. @UserOne many thanks for that link it looks great!
@Fontalla I had to laugh at the description of yourself in sewing class because that was exactly like me. I can't remember whether I had problems with being left handed or just useless with patterns/sewing machine but it took me about 2 years to make a horrible skirt! Your house sounds fascinating, could you do a 'through the keyhole' for me ha ha.

Yes.

Quick cheat for you, since curtains don't actually take that much of a battering, and don't have stresses on the seams like clothes do.

Use running stitch on the edges and bottom hem. Put a backstitch or two in every 6 inches to stop the thread pulling if you snag it or when you wash them.

Obviously the tape at the top needs proper stitching top and bottom, but running stitch will speed up 60% of the work.

Totally do-able. I have a pair of curtains my mother hand-stitched, she used an invisible hemming stitch for the sides and hem and more sturdy stitching for the lightweight curtain tape. If you can get cotton header tape it's easier to sew than the plasticky one that's often sold.