What Is Tailored Pleat Drapery?

Pleated draperies are viewed as the most classic style of drapery.

Tailored pleated draperies are mid- to heavy-weight curtains---characterized by gathering the fabric in sections (pleats) along the top---which have been made for a specific window (tailored). Pleated draperies are viewed as the most classic drapery of the multitudes of curtain and drapery styles available. They're rarely informal or overly formal-looking, and can easily be the focal point of a room or instead blend in and set the room's tone.

Purpose

The main purpose of a pleated drape is to allow light (and the outside view) into a room when open, and create full privacy when closed. While many other kinds of drapes and curtains accomplish the same task, pleated draperies cover windows completely and are almost always made of a heavyweight or lined fabric, accompanied by a second layer of sheer pleated draperies (on a separate rod or mount).

Typical Uses

In a home, tailored pleated draperies are most typically used in living or family rooms and bedrooms. They are often deemed too formal for a kitchen, and most bathrooms don't have large enough windows or adequate space to warrant their use. Pleated drapes are commonly used in hotels because they're room-darkening and can be mounted on easy-slide tracks. Red velvet theatre curtains are an example of more extravagant pleated drapes. "The pleats provide fullness to the draperies in uniform, graceful folds," according to Elaine Perry, editor of "Creative Window Treatments."

Types of Pleats

Pleating is begun on the reverse side of the drapery material during the sewing process. When it's turned over the full pleat is finished, either by machine or by hand, depending on how intricate the pleat is. There are several kinds of pleats used in drapery pleating---a single pinch pleat is one fold of material that tents out from the panel and is pinched, or sewn together. A double pinch pleat is comprised of two single pinch pleats alongside one another, a triple pinch has three, and so on. Grouped pleats are defined by having a double or a triple pinched pleat right next to another one, followed by a few inches of space, and then another pair or group. Roll (more open) and goblet (more pinched) pleats are similar; both characterized by being open at the top, similar to the shape of a wineglass. Roll and goblet are wider than pinched pleats, so the drapery takes up more space when opened (stacked). Other types include box and inverted pleats.

Fullness

All pleat types fall open because the material is only gathered at the top of the drapery. Because tailored pleated draperies use so much material to make a single panel, the fullness of the drape is important when considering space allowances for the open or stacked panel. The pleats themselves will not take up less space, only the spaces between the pleats will collapse when opened. Carol Spier, author of "Big Book of Window Treatments," writes that "fullness for pleated treatments depends on the style and spacing of the pleat used---2 ½ to 3 times the finished width is usual."

Forms of Mounting

There are numerous ways to hang tailored pleated draperies; almost all use drapery hooks on the backside of the drape to attach it to its mount. The drapery hooks are inserted at each end of the panel as well as at each pleat. A conventional traverse rod is most used when it won't be seen, even when the drapes are open. The decorator traverse rod is used for when it will be seen, as well is a pole with rings---the rings have special eyes attached to receive the drapery hooks. Pleated drapes can be easily removed for cleaning, without removing the rod or pole.

References

• "Creative Window Treatments"; Elaine Perry, editor; 2000
• "Big Book of Window Treatments"; Carol Spier; 2006