How to Pinch Pleat Drapes - WITHOUT Pleating Tape

Pinch-pleated draperies add a classy look to any room and can further add insulation from heat, cold and noise. Once the panels are made, it is time to pleat them, which can sometimes be a little intimidating. After the math is mastered, the pleating comes easy.

These directions are for pleating only of two drapery panels and DO NOT use pleating tape. Use these directions after you have completely hemmed the three sides of your two panels and added the buckram to the tops.

Once these directions are completed, your drapes will look like they were pleated by a professional.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Calculator
• Two flat finished drapery panels, with 4" buckram
• Sewing machine
• Heavy duty needle
• Thread

1. Measure the FACE WIDTH of your curtain rod. To this measurement add the two RETURN measurements and the OVERLAP measurement. Add an additional 1/2" to each width of fabric for a traditional rod and divide this total by two (because you have two panels). This is what you want each panel to measure when you are done pleating. (The extra 1/2" per panel is for EASE. If the EASE is not added in, the curtains will want to bounce back when you close them.)

2. Measure the finished width of the panels and subtract the end result in Step 1 from this number. This is the amount of fabric you must "get rid of" by sewing pleats.

3. Determine how many pleats are needed (SEE TIPS BELOW).

4. Divide the end result in Step 2 by the number of pleats. This is the size of the pleats.

5. Take the end result in Step 1. Subtract the two RETURNS. Divide this number by one less than the number of pleats. This number is the size of the spaces in between the pleats.

6. Mark out the returns, pleats and spaces with pins making certain everything is figured correctly. You will have a return on each end, then alternate pleat, space, pleat, space, etc.

7. Your first pleat is marked after the return. Fold these marks together, pin and sew down the buckram for this pleat. Repeat and sew the first pleat on the opposite end next to the return. Remember, if you have a 6" pleat, when you fold it in half, you are only looking at 3" of the pleat. (1/2 the pleat is in the front, 1/2 the pleat is in the back.)

8. Fold the panel in half lining up the seams of the two pleats that you just made (wrong sides together). This puts a pleat right in the middle of the panel. Your pins should match up for this pleat. Pin for this third pleat and sew down the buckram.

9. Fold the panel, lining up the seams of pleat #1 and pleat #3 - wrong sides together. This will put a pleat exactly in the middle of those two pleats. Pin and sew down the buckram for this pleat.

10. Fold the panel, lining up the seams of pleat #3 and pleat #5 - wrong sides together. Pin and sew down the buckram for this pleat.

11. Repeat Steps 5 through 8 for the second panel.

12. Pinch and tack the pleats. Pinch the pleat you've sewn (grabbing about a third of it) right in the middle and bring it down to the seam. Next, take the "wings" on each side and bring this fabric up to form three "fingers", keeping each finger the same size.

13. Tack these together to keep them pleated. If the panel is lightweight enough, this can be done with a sewing machine by using a zigzag stitch. Make the stitch small and set the length to "0". If the panels are heavy, they will need to be hand-stitched. A crewel needle works well. Have a cutting board and pliers on hand; it can be tough to sew these.

Tips & Warnings

• FACE WIDTH - the front only of the curtain rod.
• RETURN - the area where the curtain rod goes from the front, back to the wall (usually 4" unless your drapes are over other curtains like sheers)
• OVERLAP - where the panels overlap each other in the front (usually 2" on each side for a total of 4") It is nice if the overlap is the same as the return so the panels can be alternated from the left to right once they become sun-faded.
• NUMBER OF PLEATS - 5 pleats per fabric width usually work best. Keep an odd number of pleats if possible (i.e. 1 1/2 widths would be 7 pleats, 2 widths would be 9 or 11 pleats) It is not imperative to keep the pleats to an odd number, but it usually is best.
• If you have used the correct amount of fabric for your window measurement, your spaces should come out to roughly 3.5" and your pleats to roughly 6".
• THREE-FINGER PLEAT - a pleat that is folded into thirds. The three-finger pleat is the most popular.
• EASE - The amount that is added in so that panels will be wide enough and not bounce back when shut. Add 1/2" for each fabric width for a traditional rod and 1" each fabric width for a decorative rod.
• Sewing can become addictive!