Hey everyone. Today you'll learn how to cut and sew a fresh pair of curtains, and why a sharp 60mm blade makes those long cuts so much easier.
First, let's talk about the blades. These are the 60mm SKS-7 Replacement Rotary Blades from Famoré, two to a pack. A fresh edge is right there in the drawer when you need it.
The blades are crafted from SKS-7 Japanese steel. Famoré built them to the same high-quality standards as their Professional Tungsten Carbide Rotary Blade. Now, let's be honest here. Famoré says these are not as heavy-duty as tungsten carbide. What they do offer is durability similar to the standard blades you're accustomed to using in your day-to-day cutting tasks.
That is exactly the right job description for today. Everyday cutting. Long, honest cuts through curtain fabric. The tags on this one tell the story, too. Quilting. Longarm quilting. Sewing. Trimming. And left handed friendly, which I always appreciate seeing.
One more thing I really like. Famoré proudly offers sharpening services for these blades, so a dull edge is not automatically headed for the trash.
The project: a pair of curtains
Our project is a simple pair of curtain panels. Each panel finishes at about 40 inches wide by 84 inches long. That fits a standard window nicely. Two panels, soft folds, nothing fussy.
Why do these blades suit curtains so well? Curtains are all about length. You are cutting panel after panel at 84 inches, plus hems. A dull blade drags on a cut that long. It skips. It leaves little threads hanging on for dear life. A fresh 60mm blade rolls through in one smooth pass.
The big 60mm size helps here, too. Bigger blades shine on long, straight cuts. Curtains are nothing but long, straight cuts. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
What you will need
- One 60mm SKS-7 Replacement Rotary Blade, fitted into your 60mm rotary handle
- 5 yards of quilting cotton or light curtain fabric, at least 44 inches wide
- Thread to match, and a machine needle in size 80/12
- A large cutting mat, a long clear ruler, and a carpenter's square if you have one
- Pins or clips, an iron, and a tape measure
- A curtain rod, already hung, so you can measure the real drop
Brief steps
Measure first, always. Measure from the rod down to where you want the hem to land. Add 9 inches to that number for the top and bottom hems. My panels cut at 93 inches long give me an 84-inch finished curtain.
Cut two panels, each 42 inches wide by 93 inches long. Roll slow and steady. Keep firm pressure on the ruler. Let the blade do the work. Just like that, one clean edge after another.
Press the side hems next. Fold each long edge in 1/2 inch twice. Stitch close to the inner fold. Set your stitch length around 2.5 millimeters. That is roughly 10 to 12 stitches per inch.
Make the rod pocket at the top. Fold the top edge down 1/2 inch, press, then fold down 3 inches more. Stitch along the lower fold. Leave the ends open. That pocket is where your rod slides through.
Finish with the bottom hem. Hang the panels first, if you can. Pin the hem right there at the window. Then fold up 5 inches, press, and stitch. Hanging first is my favorite trick. Rooms are never as square as we think they are.
Tips from my table
Here is my warning at the moment of risk. Slow down at the start of a long cut, or the ruler can shift and your edge wanders. Start steady. Then roll with confidence. And close the blade guard every time you set that cutter down. Every single time.
Watch for skipping. If your blade skips threads or feels scratchy, it is talking to you. Swap in that second blade from the pack. I have forced a dull blade before, y'all. The wavy edge I got was my reward. Learn from my mistake.
Press every fold before you stitch it, even on an 84-inch panel. A pressed fold stays honest, and your stitching lands where you aimed it.
And here is your permission beat. If one panel hangs a quarter inch longer, it is still a good curtain. You are your own worst critic here. Step back to the doorway and look again. Take your time. It is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it. Thanks so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the 60mm SKS-7 Replacement Rotary Blades 2 pcs. at Linda's Electric Quilters.
