How to Make Lined Pinch Pleat Curtains
Pinch pleat curtains have gathers spaced evenly to control their fullness. Measuring, cutting, marking and sewing the fabric for lined pinch pleat curtains requires careful planning, but pleating tape eliminates the need for some calculations. The result is elegant, opaque, professional-looking curtains.
Things You'll Need
- Decorator fabric
- Lining fabric
- Pleating tape and hooks
- Tailor's chalk or fabric marker
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Sewing machine and thread
- Scissors
Instructions
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Measurements
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1
Measure the width of your curtain rod. Multiply the width by 2 to 3 times, depending on your desired fullness, to get the total cut width for your curtain panels. Divide the width in half for two curtain panels, then add seam allowances to get the cut width for the fabric. The lining is a little narrower.
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2
Calculate the cut length for the curtain panels. Measure from the curtain rod to the point where you want the hem to reach. This is usually the window sill or the floor.
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3
Add to the length an allowance for a heading, which must be deeper than the pleating tape. Add seam and hem allowances to get the cut measurements for curtain fabric. The lining pieces are a little shorter.
Sewing the Curtains
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4
Straight stitch double-fold hems along the bottom edges of the curtain and lining panels.
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5
Lay the curtain panels right-side down on a flat surface. Center the lining pieces on top of the curtain panels, wrong-sides down, with the hems of the lining above the hems of the curtains.
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6
Double-fold the sides of the curtain fabric toward the lining side, then seam the sides.
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7
Sew the pleating tape on the right side of the curtain panels, along the center of the top heading section. Sew along the top, bottom and sides of the tape.
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8
Fold the heading to the wrong side, turn the raw edge under and sew the bottom seam in place. Insert the hooks into the pockets of the pleating tape, spacing them evenly two to four pockets apart, depending on how full you want the pleats to be.
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Tips & Warnings
Different types of pleating tape are available to create different styles of pleats. Make sure you purchase the appropriate hooks to go with the tape. If you are not happy with the pleats when your curtains are hung, just change the spacing of the hooks.
