Tutorial to Make Pinch-Pleated Drapes
Shop drapery catalogs for ideas on how your drapes should look. Should the drapes touch the ceiling or several inches below? The length could be just above the windowsill or pool onto the floor.
Calculate the width of the fabric according to the pleat tape. If the tape has a ratio of 2 ½ to 1, and the window width is 30 inches, the calculation is: 30 x 2 ½ = 75 inches. Add 4 inches for side seams for a total of 79 inches of fabric for each panel width.
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Cotton fabric
- Lining material
- Cotton thread
- Spray starch
- Steam iron
- Scissors
- Pinch-pleat tape
- Drapery hooks
Instructions
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Take the measurements with you when shopping for fabric. The people at the fabric store will help you with the amount of material to buy. Purchase the same amount of lining fabric.
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2
Prepare the fabric by washing with a laundry soap only, then machine dry. Spray fabric with starch on the wrong side then set aside for 2 minutes. Press with a steam iron.
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Prepare lining fabric the same as the drapes.
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4
Lay the fabric flat on a table or the floor with the lining on top. The wrong sides of the fabric and lining should face each other. Cut the panels according to the window measurements.
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5
Turn over 1 inch of fabric on the left side on a panel, and press. Turn and press another inch. Secure the fabric with pins and sew. Repeat on the right side.
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6
Turn and press 1 inch of fabric on the top of the panel, then turn and press another inch. Pin fabric and sew.
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Pin the pinch-pleat tape along the inside top of the drape and sew together.
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Insert the drapery hooks. Hang the drapes to check the fit. Make any adjustments.
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Turn and press 1 inch for the bottom hem, then turn and press another inch. Secure with pins and sew.
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Tips & Warnings
Always machine wash and dry cotton fabric before using, this prevents any color bleeding or shrinking of your final project.
Measuring the window frame accurately gives a professional look.
If you buy home decorating fabric instead of cotton, be sure to read the laundering instructions for the fabric before purchasing. Home decorating fabrics need dry cleaning, and may shrink and distort when machine washing and drying.
