How to Add Silk Leading Trim on Curtain Panels

Take down the curtains and measure the distance from the casing seam near the top of the panel to the hem. Add 1 inch to this measurement. Remove the hem on the 18 inches of the hem closest to the leading edge.

Cut a strip of silk this length plus 2 3/4-inches wide.

Fold 1/2 inch on the end of the strip to the wrong side. Place the fold even with the casing seam with the right side of the strip against the curtain. Pin the strip along the leading edge of the curtain with the edge of the strip even with the edge of the curtain. Fold up 1/2 inch on the end of the strip. The fold should be even with the bottom edge of the curtain.

Set your sewing machine to sew a straight stitch with a standard stitch length. Sew 5/8 inch from the leading edge of the curtain.

Fold the other edge of the strip toward the leading edge of the curtain along the seam. Turn the curtain over and lay it on the ironing board with the silk band on the right side. Fold the right edge of the silk band to the left to meet the edge of the curtain. Iron this fold.

Fold the folded edge to the left over the edge of the curtain. Iron this fold.

Turn the curtain over and sew in the seam crease between the silk band and the curtain. Be sure to catch the edge of the band on the back of the curtain in the seam.

Hand sew the hem back in place