Curtain Window Treatments • Making Pleated Headers • Curtain Heading Types
Curtain Window Treatments
Instructions:
Curtain Window Treaments — Pleated Headers
Making Pleated Headers
Excerpted From
Sandra Betzina Sews For Your Home
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Pleats typically take 4 inches to 5 inches of fabric and are spaced 4 inched to 6 inches apart. About 1 pleat every 10 inches. Use this rule of thumb to decide how many pleats a curtain panel can take.
To figure out the pleat size, pinch the header of your curtain panel into a double or triple pleat to see what works for your fabric. Then open out the pleat and measure the fabric that was used. If your pleat took 5 inches of fabric, then five pleats will use 25 inches. The fabric required for all the pleats is called the pleat allowance. To figure out the spacing between pleats, measure the distance between the overlap and return pins, subtract the pleat allowance, and divide by 4 (the number of pleats minus 1).
Types of Pleated Headings
Excerpted From Sew a Beautiful Window, Innovative Window Treatments
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Box Pleats
Often used when curtain window treatments stay in a fixed position. This type of pleat is made by folding fabric to the backside of the pleat. A fabric that creases well, such as linen weave or cotton, will help maintain the shape of the box pleat. Allow 3 times the track length for fullness.
Cartridge Pleats
Cylindrical shaped pleats that are an alternative to pinch pleats. Allow 2-1/2 to 3 times the track length for fullness.
Goblet Pleats
Similar to pinch pleats but the top of the pleat is not brought together as a triple fold. The top of a goblet pleat is stuffed with an interlining so the top will stay full. Allow 3 times the track length for fullness.
Pencil Pleats
Narrow row of folds resembling a row of pencils laid side by side. The easiest way to make pencil pleats is with pleater tape. The heading is created by sewing the tape to the heading of a valance or curtain window treatment. Allow 2-1/2 to 3 times the track length for fullness.
Pinch Pleats
Three small pleats grouped together at regular intervals.To achieve proper fullness allow 2-1/2 to 3 times the width for fullness. Work well when curtains are interlined.
Smocked Pleats
Uses standard hooks placed in one or two rows of the hook pockets. Pleater tapes help make smocked pleats easier to create. Allow 2-1/2 to 3 times the width for fullness.