How to Sew a Casing with a Heading

1) Determine casing depth by loosely pinning a curtain fabric strip around the rod. Remove rod and measure the distance from the top of the strip to the pin. Add 1/2″ (1.3 cm) to be turned under. 2) Press under 1/2″ (1.3 cm) along upper cut edge of curtain panel. Fold over again and press to form a hem equal to amount measured in step 1. 3) Stitch close to folded hem edge to form casing, backstitching at both ends. If desired, stitch again close to the upper edge to create a sharp crease appropriate for flat or oval curtain rods.

How to Sew a Casing with a Heading

1) Determine the depth of the casing as directed in step 1, above. Determine the depth of heading, opposite. Press under 1/2″ (1.3 cm) along upper cut edge of the curtain panel. Fold and press again to form hem equal to casing plus heading depth. 2) Stitch close to folded edge, backstitching at both ends. Mark heading depth with a pin  at each end of panel. Stitch again at marked depth. To aid straight stitching, apply a strip of masking tape to the bed of the machine at heading depth, or use seam guide. 3) Insert rod through casing and gather curtain evenly onto rod. Adjust heading by pulling up the folded edge so the seam is exactly on the lower edge of the rod. A wide heading may be made to look puffy and more rounded by pulling the fabric out on each side. {Credit} Singer Sewing for the Home Copyright 1984-1988