How to Use Pinch Pleat Tape
Pinch pleated draperies, also referred to as French pleated, have long been the staple of traditional, formal draperies. Long preferred for their ability to be drawn closed with the pull of a cord, pinch pleated draperies are much simpler to make with the aid of pinch pleat tape. Found in most fabric stores, the tape brings the guesswork and multiple steps down to a simple formula for perfect pleats every time. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Drapery panels Pinch pleat tape Straight pins Matching thread Hand sewing needle Pinch pleat hooks
Instructions
-
-
1
Turn the edge of the pinch pleat tape under to hide the raw edge, lining up the first pocket on the heading tape with the inside edge of the curtain, and pin firmly in place across the top back of the drapery panel.
-
2
Sew a line of stitching across both the top and bottom of the tape, sewing in the same direction each time to avoid puckers.
-
-
3
Starting at the inside edge of the drapery heading, leave the first two pockets of the tape free, then insert the first prong of the four-pronged pinch pleat hooks into the next pocket. Insert the second, third and fourth prongs into the following pockets, one prong in each pocket.
-
4
Leave the next two pockets in the pinch pleat tape free, and repeat using another drapery hook. Repeat across the width of the pleating tape, leaving a gap of two pockets between each drapery hook.
-
5
Repeat all steps for the second drapery panel, starting by leaving two pockets free at the inner edge of the drape.
-
6
With the wrong side of the fabric downward, hold the drapery in place with a hand behind the pinch pleat tape, and push a hook firmly into the pockets. Hold the base of the pleat, just below the base of the tape, on the right side of the fabric. Pinch the pleats neatly together and sew together with a stitch back and forth through the same place in the fabric three times, or as many as necessary to hold pleat in place when released. Do not stitch the top of the pinch pleat, allowing the pleat to fan out. Repeat for every pleat.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit sewing machine image by Peter Baxter from Fotolia.com
