How to Pinch Pleated Drapes

Add shears to enhance and soften your pinch pleated drapes.

The pinch pleated drapery is also known as the French pleat. The pleat units are spaced evenly apart and each contains three folds or gathers. The pinch pleat is a classic industry standard, as well as versatile, complimenting many types of decor. Creating your own pinch pleat drapes can be a rather challenging job with complicated mathematical calculations. Instead, opt for using pleat tape. Pleat tape has small channel-like pockets for inserting hooks that create the pinch pleats. If you make a mistake and need to reposition the pleat, just remove the hook and move it over into the proper pocket.

Things You'll Need

• Drapery fabric
• Pleat tape
• Laundry bag (optional)
• Iron
• 4-prong pleat hooks
• Drapery hardware
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Straight pins

Instructions

1. Perform a test run with your pleat tape, hooks and rod to determine the exact length of pleat tape you will need. The pleat tape will gather when you insert the 4-prong pleat tape hooks. Insert each prong into a separate channel pocket of the pleat tape. Slide a prong into a channel, skip two to five channel pockets and slide in another prong. It does not matter how many channel pockets you skip between each prong as long as you keep it uniform. Create the space between pleat hooks by skipping approximately 15 channel pockets between pleat hooks. Leave space without pleats at each end of the rod for an even, balanced look. Leaving space equal to the length between pleat hooks, or half that amount, is customary.

2. Attach the hooks and pleat tape to the rod. Adjust the hooks until you are satisfied with the placement of the pleats. Allow an extra inch at each end, as you will need to fold under 1/2 inch at both ends of each panel. Cut the pleat tape to the correct length with scissors.

3. Take the pleat tape down and remove the hooks. Measure the pleat tape with a measuring tape. Add 8 inches to the length of the pleat tape measurement to determine the width of fabric you will need. Cut the fabric to the correct width. Cut the drapery fabric in half length-wise to divide it into two drapery panels.

4. Measure the length you wish the drapes to be and add 16 inches to allow for hems. Cut the fabric to the correct length. Place the back of the fabric up. Turn up 4 inches at the bottom raw edge of the fabric. Press the fold with an iron. Turn up another 4 inches to create a double-fold and press again. Sew the bottom hem with a sewing machine, using matching thread. Repeat for the top hem. Do the same for the other drapery panel.

5. Turn up an inch of fabric along both sides of each panel. Press the folds with an iron. Turn over another inch to create a double-fold and press again. Sew the four side hems.

6. Pin the pleat tape in place at the top of the drapery panel, using straight pins. Place the pleat tape on top of the top hem. Fold 1/2 inch under at each end. Sew the pleat tape in place by sewing around the outer edges of the pleat tape. Remove the pins.

7. Insert the prongs of the hooks fully into the pleat pockets. Straighten and adjust folds, as necessary. Hang the drapes.

Tips & Warnings

• Four-prong pleat hooks are available in long and short lengths. Long hooks will allow the drapery hardware to show. Use short hooks for the drapes to cover the track or pole.

• Any medium- to heavy-weight fabric will work well with 4-prong pleat hooks. Avoid very sheer fabrics.

• If your fabric is washable, launder the fabric and pleat tape prior to assembly to avoid shrinkage problems later. Place pleat tape in a lingerie bag. Press the fabric with an iron.

References

• Homespun: The Pinch Pleat