Types of Drapery Pleats

A pleat is a fold used to embellish fabric. Pleats are made by folding the fabric back upon itself, then tacking or pinching it in place. Drapery pleats are placed at evenly spaced intervals across the top of the curtain or the heading. Most drapery pleats are pressed flat or molded for round folds.

Pencil Pleats

Pencil pleats are elongated folds that run continuously across the header. They look like a bunch pencils lined up in a row because the fabric is cinched tightly together.

Pinch Pleats

Pinch pleats are also called French Pleats. They consist of three slim folds that are gathered at the center so that they look like they were pinched together.

Butterfly Pleats

Butterfly pleats are two folds of fabric that are pinched at the bottom. The top is open and flares like a butterfly.

Euro Pleats

Euro pleats are similar to butterfly pleats, but they are pinched at the top and flare at the bottom. The folds are also much deeper.

Box Pleats

Box pleats look like two layers of fabric, but are formed with one piece of material. The fabric is double pleated or folded back to back. Box pleats look like a series of collapsed boxes.

Goblet Pleats

Goblet pleats are similar to pinched pleats, but the top is left open. Cotton batting is inserted into the pleat to give the pleats a round goblet form.

Resources

• Uniquely-U Interior Decorator's Workroom