Instructions for Sewing Pinch-Pleated Draperies
Pinch pleat draperies emphasize the elegance of big windows or doors. They accent the window as well as the wall. Three of the most popular types of pinch pleats are the butterfly pleat, double pleat and the goblet pleat. You can make pinch-pleat draperies with basic sewing skills; pleating tape makes the job almost foolproof. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Fabric
- Pleating tape
- Rod and ring set or traverse rod
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Thread
- Pins
- String or rope
Instructions
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1
Measure from the curtain rod to the floor. If you're using a conventional traverse rod, add 1/2 inch. If you're using a rod with a ring set, measure from the rings to the floor. This is the length you'll need for each drapery panel, including the front fabric and the back fabric if you're lining it.
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2
Measure the width. Pleating tapes use a 2-to-1 ratio, so the draperies require double the width of fabric. If the width of the drapery when closed is 6 feet, then you will need 12 feet of fabric. Add 5 inches for the hems. The 6-foot drapery, doubled for the 2-to-1 ratio, with the added 5 inches, will measure 12 feet and 5 inches.
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3
Cut the fabric, based on the measurements for height and width. If you're lining the fabric, cut both the drapery and lining fabric the same size.
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4
Sew the side hems. For draperies with a lining, hold the fabric together, inside out. Sew along the edges of both sides, 1 inch in from the ends. Flip the fabric right-side-out. For draperies without a lining, fold the edge of the fabric over and sew along the back, 1 inch from the ends.
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5
Sew the top hem by folding 1 inch of fabric over, then folding that piece over 1 more inch. Sew along the bottom of this fabric on the back about 1/2 inch from the edge.
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6
Cut the pleating tape to the width of the top hem plus 2 inches.
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7
Sew the pleating tape onto the top hem on the back of the drapery panels. Sew along the top and bottom of the tape, leaving 1 inch unsewn at each end.
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8
Fold the tape over 1 inch on the end and press.
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9
Insert the hooks into the pockets of the pleating tape. This will form the pleats.
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10
Hang the drapery panels on the rod from the hooks you just placed in the pockets.
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11
Draw the panels back to the edges of the windows. Tie each panel in the middle and toward the bottom, using string or rope. Let the panels sit like this for a few days to set the pleats, then remove the string.
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Tips & Warnings
Different types of pleating tape work in different ways; some work with specially designed hooks, others by using cords to gather each pleat. Be sure to read the instructions on the package of pleating tape to see how your particular type is used.
References
- Photo Credit draperies image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com
