How to Sew Pinch Pleat Curtains

If you are trying to finish a home decorating project, you might have one item still lingering--the curtains. Pinch pleat curtains can be made in any decorator fabric and will hang, stationary, at the sides of the window. They are also a perfect way to complete your decor.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing Machine
• Steam Iron
• Scissors
• Decorator fabric
• Pleater tape
• Pleater hooks -- your choice of 2- or 3-prong
• Thread
• Chalk marking pen
• Seam guide

Instructions

1. Before cutting fabric or tape, you must pre-pleat the tape only, using the pleater hooks to determine the finished width needed for the drapes as well as determine the pleat positions. Pleat the tape to the width of the drapery panel and hang it on the installed traverse rod. Adjust the pleats so that the last pleat is at the corner of the rod return.

   After pleating to the correct size, cut the pleater tape for each panel, so that the panels have pockets at the same position. To finish, add ½ inch at the end of each pleater tape width. You are ready to cut the decorator fabric.

2. Cut the fabric so that the width is the length of the pleater tape, plus four inches to allow for one inch of double-folded side hem. If you decrease the side hem width to ½ inch, this will have to be adjusted on the fabric as well as on the pleater tape. If you need two panels cut to get the width of the panels accurate, seam together and allow for one inch for each seam. For the length, cut finished length, plus 6 1/2 inches to allow for a three-inch double-fold hem and 1/2 inch for turning over the upper edge.

3. Turn under double-fold hem on lower edge and double-fold hems on sides, press a "crisp" edge; stitch in place. Mark 1/2 inch from upper edge on the right side of curtain.

4. Pin upper edge of pleater tape, with pocket side up, be sure this is along the marked line. Stitch 1/4 inch from the edge of the tape, sewing onto the fabric header.

5. Fold the pleater tape to the inside of the drapery, so it is even with the finished upper edge of drapery. Press this area. Stitch the lower edge and both sides of the tape, following the guideline on tape, if marked.

6. Pleat as marked and insert hooks. Push prongs all the way up into the pleats to secure them. Adjust the folds between hooks for beautiful draping.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, if you originally planned to use three-prong hooks and measure accordingly, and cannot find it and have to settle for two prong hooks, be sure to re-adjust your pleater tape, before cutting the tape for each panel.

• Any changes to the header should be adjusted and calculated accordingly before you cut.

• Be sure and mark the exact spots of the pleat locations on all panels. Even the most advanced seamstress should not "eye" where the location is.

References

• Step-by-step Home Decorating; Singer Sewing Reference Library; 2000.