HOW TO MAKE PENCIL PLEAT CURTAINS - Youtube video

Pencil pleat curtains are still the most popular style of window treatment, with eyelet curtains following close behind. Finishing your curtains with a pencil pleat heading makes a smart yet simple solution for any type of curtain fabric. It is a multifunctional curtain heading, able to deal with heavy interlined curtains in a formal dining or living room setting just as easily as creating the ultimate in glamorous bedroom curtains fitted to free-floating semi sheer fabrics.

There are also certain styles of window treatments such as layered window treatments that do not want a fussy heading, the detailing being in the layers, not the curtain headings. Also often curtains fitted to a curtain track behind a pelmet or dropped ceiling will only need this easy to make curtain heading as it will not be on show.

In a modern home fitting a simple pencil pleat heading is the nearest thing to achieving perfect minimalism for your curtains as however minimal you want your decor, your curtains will still need some method of being fitted to a curtain pole or curtain track.

HOW TO MAKE PENCIL PLEAT CURTAINS.

1. Measure your finished curtain length across the top of the curtains.
3. Take the pencil pleat heading tape, pull the strings out from one end, tie them in a secure knot and trim off the surplus tape.
4. Make sure the knotted end of the tape is to the centre of the curtains.
5. Pin the heading with a double row of pins all the way along the top of the curtains ½” down from the top.
6. Pull the strings out at the other end. Mitre the other corner of the curtain and pin the tape to the end.
7. Machine the heading tape along the top and the bottom and then tuck the knotted cord into the end of the tape and sew down, then sew the other end of the tape making sure you leave the strings free.

HOW TO FIT THE CURTAIN HOOKS AND GATHER THE HEADING TAPE.

1. Normally leave about 4 hook pockets between each hook position, but count the number of curtain rings on your curtain pole or gliders on your curtain track to be sure.
2. Pull the strings in the heading tape evenly to gather the curtains. It is best to do this with the curtain heading facing you on a flat surface so you can check you are gathering the pleats evenly.
3. When the curtain heading is the correct length wind the string around your fingers and then tie a knot at the end.
4. Keep the knot the wrong side of the last curtain hook so they are not visible from the front,