How to Pleat Draperies

Pleated drapes provide a nice backdrop for houseplants and furnishings.

Pleated draperies are extremely expensive when custom-ordered but it is easy to make your own using drapery-pleating tape. Visit a custom decorating showroom specializing in window treatments or search decorating magazines to see which pleat styles appeal to you. Pinch, cartridge, rolled, goblet, and pencil pleats are the most common types of drapery headings for operational draperies. Box pleats work best with stationary panels. Pay attention to detail to create high-end custom window treatments that bring your décor to a new level.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pleater tape
• Pleating drapery hooks
• Drapery fabric
• Lining fabric (optional)
• Scissors
• Steam Iron
• Ironing board
• Straight sewing pins
• Pin cushion
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Craft paper
• Adhesive tape

Instructions

1. Insert pleating hooks into the pleater tape, leaving the first two pleats un-pleated for the center overlaps, until you have the finished width of the drapery panel; add 8 more inches, un-pleated, for the returns around each end of the traverse rod.

2. Remove the hooks and measure the length of the tape needed for the draperies. Divide that number in half to determine the finished width of each panel.

3. Use the pleater tape to calculate how many lengths of fabric you need to make each panel. If the fabric is 60 inches wide and you deduct 1 inch on each side for seams and hems, each length of fabric yields 58 inches in width, before pleating. Divide the total width of each panel by 58 inches to determine the number of lengths required.

4. Cut each length the finished length of the drapery plus 6-1/2 inches to allow for top and bottom hems and the number of inches of the pattern repeat, if any.

5. Sew the side seams (right sides together) to join the lengths for each panel. Press seams open and flat. Turn the bottom of the panel up 3 inches and press; fold hem over another 3 inches, press with iron, and stitch in place. Sew double-fold hems on each side using the same process.

6. Press the ends of the pleater tape under 1/2 inch to hide raw edges and stitch in place. Mark a line 1/2 inch from the top of the right side of the tape. Pin the top edge of the pleater tape, pocket side up, along the marked line, and stitch in place 1/4 inch from the edge. Fold the pleater tape down to the back side of the panel, lining up the top edge with the finished edge of the panel. Stitch along the bottom edge of the tape.

7. Insert the hooks, pushing the prongs all the way up into the pockets; leave areas for overlaps and returns un-pleated. Adjust pleats and hang draperies on the traverse rods. Open drapes all the way and smooth pleats in place. Cut 6-inch-wide strips of craft paper long enough to wrap around pleated panels and tape into place. Leave paper bands on 24 to 48 hours to set the pleats.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a drapery fabric that drapes well and works with the style of pleating tape you chose. Bring a fabric sample home and live with it for a few days to be sure it complements the other colors, patterns, textures and styles in the room; all of these factors must be carefully considered before making the final choice.

• Buy the highest quality fabric you can afford.

• Line the draperies in white or ivory for a classic look. If sun shines on the windows to be draped, consider thermal lining to block heat out in warmer locales. Use a blackout liner for media rooms or bedrooms. For best results, cut lining 2 inches shorter and narrower than drapery panels and allow to hang separately.

• Be sure the pockets on the pleater tape correspond on both panels, so overlaps and returns are the same.

References

• Pleater Tape for Draperies
• Different Types of Drapery Headers