Why you should cut the selvage off your fabric…

As part of my nursery preparations, I am making drapes for the window.

This is actually my first time making tabbed drapes.  I made really simple ones for my daughter’s room a while ago, but thought I would make these a little nicer since I plan on keeping them for a while.

Well as with most things, I was trying to conserve, and figured: “Why should I cut the selvage off my fabric?  If I keep it on, it will give me an extra 1/2 inch to work with!”

GENIUS, right?

NO

See below:

THAT is why you should cut the selvage off.  Because after all my work of making the curtains, I ended up with writing that showed on the edge!  This may not happen as much with heavier fabric, but still!!  After woring so hard on something I want it too look great!

So, I took out those side seams, cut off the selvage and re-did it…but still very frustrating.

Well, cup half full: I learned a lesson =)

I’ll show you finished pictures of the drapes once they are up!