How to Make Box-Pleat Curtains

Pleating gives a formal touch.

Box-pleated curtains have a finished pleated appearance, with the edges of each box touching the edge of the next box. This type of curtain requires more fabric than some other pleating types and tends to create a heavier drape. The finished look has a modern edge or a very formal appearance that works well on large or wide windows and may or may not need coverage by a cornice or valance.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Transparent ruler
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Needle and thread

Instructions

1. Measure the width of your curtain rod once it's installed over your window. Divide this measurement in half if you want to cover your window with two box pleat panels. For example, a 3-foot window curtain rod will use 1 1/2 feet for each curtain panel. Multiply this number by three for the fullness of your box pleats. This becomes 4 1/2 feet. Add 1 inch to this width for edge wrap. This is the amount of fabric width per curtain panel.

2. Pre-wash and iron your fabric. Cut your fabric (per the example) to 4 1/2 feet wide. The length should equal the distance from the rod to the floor plus 6 inches.

3. Double hem all sides of the fabric and iron so they lay flat. Fold over the top hem 3 inches, then measure and pin the fabric so it stays straight and even. Iron the edge flat and sew 1/4 inch parallel to the top edge.

4. Place the transparent ruler against the top edge of the fabric at one corner. Measure 3 inches and insert a green tipped pin. Measure 1 more inch and insert a blue pin. Measure 1 more inch and insert a red pin. Measure 1 more inch and insert a blue pin. Measure 1 more inch and insert a green pin. Measure 1 more inch and insert a yellow pin.

5. Continue pinning every inch in this pattern: Green, blue, red, blue, green, yellow.

6. Pinch the fabric at your first green pin. Fold the fabric at the first blue pin so the green pin lines up with the red pin. Pinch the fabric at the second green pin. Fold the fabric back at the second blue pin so the second green pin meets alongside the first green pin over the red pin. This is one full pleat. Use regular pins to pin the pleat in position.

7. Ignore the yellow pin. Pinch the third green pin and fold it over the third blue to meet the second red pin. Continue with the pattern in Step 6 to create each additional pleat. When all of your pleats are pinned in position, sew along the top of the fabric, 1/4 inch beneath your existing seam.

8. Remove your pins. Iron in the top of your pleats, being careful to catch your header fabric on the back side. Hand stitch the header and pleats. Do your best to hide your stitches but try to reinforce the pleats. Hand stitch your hem edge to the hidden or back side of the box pleats.

9. Hang your curtain (use drapery pins behind your pleats) and pin your bottom hem. Take your curtain back down and hand sew (blind stitch) your hem. Again, try to hide your hem stitch for the best look.

Tips & Warnings

• Iron your pleats for the best finished appearance. This is a time-consuming and exacting process. Un-ironed pleats will provide a softer look to your finished curtain. Alternatively, create box pleats using pleating tape or buckram.

References

• Burda Style: Make Box and Inverted Box Pleats
• Alternative Windows: Curtain Headings
• Drapery Sewing Supplies: How to Sew on Pleating Tape