Double Pleat (Pinch Pleat) Curtain, Form the Pleats (2024)

Edel Bourke

Your instructions regardong double pinch pleat curtains are fantastic and so detailed. Many thanks for sharing your wisdom with us.

Could you please help me in relation to my pleats as I'm at a loss. Very wide area with single curtain PAN =345cm with FW of 200cm, 237cm long,

2.5 widths of fabric with fullness of 1.9 with 6inch buckram.

When I go with 15 pleats I get a v small 9.6cm pleat which I cant fold correctly.

Having looked at your calculator which would be more suitable

12 pleats at 12cm per pleat, gap of 16.7 or

13 pleats with 11cm pleat and 15.3cm gap?

I'd really appreciate any help you could offer.

Regards,

Edel

With

SewHelpful:

Hi Edel

Thank you so much for your comments and glad that you have found them useful.

I am not sure that your fullness ratio is 1.9 - it is less than that, coming out about 1.8 or a bit less.

This is what is causing the problems.

If I was making a double pleat curtain for a 180 cm pole/track, I would be using 3 widths.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards

Cindy Taylor

Edel Bourke

Appreciate that info so much. Many thanks for the reply. Maybe my next set will be better!!!!

Ellen L Wood

Hello again Cindy,

I'm doing fine with calculating the number of pleats and spaces at 1.9 FR but inevitably, I will have 3 joins across 224 cms. Can you provide guidance about planning where to put the joins. I will need to use 4 widths of fabric to get the total panel width before pleats. The fabric is like grass cloth. There won't be a pattern but it isn't plain either. Aesthetically, what is the best way to live with that many joins? Thank you.

SewHelpful:

Hi Ellen

If possible I try and avoid a seam on a pleat but not always possible if you are joining selvedge to selvedge. I am not familiar with the type of fabric you are referring to so cannot comment on being able to join across the width rather than the selvedge edge.

Good luck with your project.

Kind regards

Cindy

Elspeth

I wonder if you could help.

I am using 1.5 width of fabric therefore 200cm PAN after side hem of 2x 5cm

My pole is quite short 120cm and my finished width per curtain 76cm

With 9 pleats this gives me a pleat size of 13.78cm & space side of 7.37cm. This seems rather uneven. Should I reduce my PAN?

Many thanks

SewHelpful:

Hi Elspeth

This is a very interesting question. Clearly 1.5 widths is too much for a double pleat but would be fine for triple. So, you have some considerations to make…

- Do you want to go triple pleat? In which case 1.5 widths would work out perfectly with a roughly 2.5 x fullness.

- If you want to stick with double pleat, already have the fabric and have already joined it……I would recommend working out your required PAN and trimming down as required.

For example….

- Pole width = 120cm. Divide by 2 = 60cm. I add on 10% ease and overlap (roughly) = 66cm.

- So pleated width would be 66 cm approx. You need to minus your inside and outside edge (7 cm ) = 52cm.

- 52 cm for spaces. 5 spaces would be 10.4 cm per space or maybe 6 spaces would be 8.6 cm per space. I would go for 10.4 cm per space.

- If you have 5 spaces, you need 1 extra pleat ( 6 pleats) and you can decide how big you want these to be. I would go for 12 cm approx for lined (more for interlined due to bulk).

- 6 pleats of 12 cm = 72cm

5 spaces of 10.5 (I would round up) = 52.5 cm

2 return/overlaps of 7cm = 14cm

Giving you a cut down width of 138.5 (not including the 5cm side turns). This is very similar to just 1 width so potentially 1 width would be enough. You could increase pleat size to 14 cm and space to 11 cm and this would make better us of your 1.5 widths and would look good fullness wise. The excess could be used for cushions!

Good luck with your project and please send us pics.

Cindy

Elspeth

Thanks so much Cindy for your detailed response. I might give the triple pleat a go!

Stephanie Starchuck

In this step (determining number of pleats) you reference the recommended number based on how many 'Fabric Widths' used. But this assumes all fabric widths will be the same? My fabric is 300cm wide and i'm using 1.5 widths which would make my pleat size 22cm and spacing 31cm based on your recommended NP of 9. Can you suggest the math to work out my actual number of pleats?

SewHelpful:

Hi Stephanie.

We are talking about standard widths (which is the majority of fabric) not the double width you are using.

You’ve made your panel up and are now at the pleating stage. No need to think if the panel in terms of widths but simply measure the flat panel and subtract you if she panel width from this figure and this is what you have left to pleat. For every 135 cm of fabric, I would recommend approx 5 pleats ( with spaces as well ) and don’t forget your returns.

Good luck

Cindy

SewHelpful:

That wont be enough for a triple pleat. We would go for double pleats.

Angela

I have got myself in a muddle. I am trying to make double pleats as each curtain is only 131 cms wide. 262 cms for the pair.

Should I make triple pinch pleats instead or will I not have enough material to do this

SewHelpful:

We can't answer that with the info you have supplied. If your fullness ratio is more than 2.2 then we would consider triple pleat.

Angela

Thank you for reply.

I have decided on double pleats as the material is narrow and I think will look much better than a few triple pleats to each curtain.

Jane

Hi,

Is the FW (in point 1 on this page (step 9) the same as FCW found at step 2?

SewHelpful:

Yes the FW is the finished curtain width in step 2.

Pam

I am doing curtains with double pinch pleat but trying to match a pattern. Have worked it out with pleats 18cm and spaces 15cm. Is this too big for pleats and spaces? Only have 6 pleats per curtain 197cm (PAN)width to go on pole 150cm long. Have 2 curtains. Will this look O.K.

SewHelpful:

That pleat size, space ratio sounds perfect for a triple pleat but too big for a double pleat in our experience

Rache

HI - so far so good.....just a question. IN this calculation, you use the FW which we already know in step 2. However in step to calculate the FW, you already ask us to include return & overlap. If we included it again at this stage...aren't we double counting that amount when we calculate the space size in this step?

My LE is 8 and my return is 11...so hence it's a lot if I need to double it up.

Can you confirm please? Thanks

SewHelpful:

In STEP 2 you were calculating how wide your curtain will be when it is pleated (That is the FINISHED WIDTH). In the calculation we included some extra width for ease and overlap and extra width if you are returning your curtain to the wall.

Now in STEP 9 here you have a curtain panel and need to pleat it up, so when pleated it is the same width as your FINISHED WIDTH you calculated in STEP 2.

Your pleated up curtain will have a LEADING EDGE flap on one side and a RETURN flap on the other. (Note you would still have a RETURN flap even if you were not retruning to the wall, you would not finish the end of the curtain with a pleat). You need to decide what LE and RETURN size you are using and then work out your pleat size and spacing so the curtain ends up the FINISHED WIDTH.

Hope that makes sense, I'm not sure why you think we are double counting, can you explain further why you think that is the case and where the instructions may be misleading/wrong as we are keen to make them as good as possible.

Wendy

I have used two widths in my curtain panel. One of my pleats sits where they join. Should I have worked out my NP, PS and SS so that the seam sat in a space when marking out my pleats? The seam sits on a fold pointing into the room and I am not overly happy with it. I'd like to unpick the pleats but I'm guessing the buckram will be too bent. Any advise

SewHelpful:

We try and avoid the join down the centre of a pleat when marking out and calculating, (its not always possible). If you unpick and remake you may find small pinprick holes in the fabric heading being the problem rather than the buckram being bent.

Rachel

HI, I've just your site so much...thanks.

quick question though...I'm making 1 curtain (for a door). I've ended up with 10 pleats (5 in each of 2 widths). PS =10cm....whereas SS= 17.4.

My previous understanding is that these 2 figures were in the end very similar...mine seem too far apart. HELP!

SewHelpful:

Not enough pleats and big gaps, implies you haven't used a high enough fullness ratio (ie your panel to pleat up isnt wide enough) Looking at your figures we are guessing you have a pole approx 170cm wide. With your 2 widths of 137cm. That gives you a fullness ratio of approx 1.6 (not enough).

If you had used 2.5 widths your fullness ratio would be just over 2 which would be about right and have given you 15 pleats approx 11cm with approx 11cm spaces.

Carolyn

I put in the measurements for a curtain using double pleats with a ratio of 2. Bearing in mind that you recommend a ratio of 1.9 - 2.2 I find it strange that you came back with the fabric calculated using a ratio of 2.6 - far too much!!! How can that really be correct?

SewHelpful:

Hi Carolyn I assume you are talking about the curtain fabric calculator. It rounds up the number of widths by default. With the number of widths you have a choice of rounding up or down to the nearest whole number when making the calculation, thus increasing or decreasing the fullness ratio. I am currently working on the calculator adding interlined curtains, I will add the choice to round up or down.

A more advanced method is to actually make your curtain panel to be pleated to an exact width (rather than a number of fabric widths) to give you the exact fullness ratio you want which we sometimes do when pleating to pattern repeat, that is beyond the scope of this tutorial though. We did put that information in initially but it made the instructions very complicated and confusing trying to have 2 different options running at the same time.

Jeorgia

I have made a lined and interlined curtain and I'm in the process of doing double pleats. Someone told me that where the panels/widths are joined you should try keep it to the side of the pleat and never in the middle of the space as it looks better like that. Does it is apply to you as well? I currentlyI have a curtain made of plain linen fabric and the joints are in the middle of the space and I don't have a problem with that. The new curtain are in a patterned fabric. Is it down to personal preferences as well?

SewHelpful:

You have to work with the panel you have and the pleats and spacing you have calculated that will work best. We generally try and have a join in a space, as it sits at the back of the wave of the curtain and can be bulky in a pleat. But sometimes it doesn't work out that way.

If you are really particular about where you want to place a join, you would have to work out your pleats and spacing before hand and make the pre-pleated curtain panel to a specific width with the join in your calculated position. Generally we only do that kind of extra work when we are looking to pleat a curtain to pattern repeat (get each pleat to fall in the same position on the horizontal pattern).

Alexandra

I'm making curtains across a door and window and the pole is very offset (total pole width 269, but split in 96.5:172.5), would you calculate the pleats over the total, or each separately, possibly giving different pleat/space measurements?

SewHelpful:

Over the total, keep the pleat and space sizes the same, You may have to trim one panel down to get this right.

Sarah

In your experience, does it work best to have fewer, bigger pleats with larger gaps or a larger number of smaller pleats/gaps? I know my fullness is only just OK (around 1.9), using beautiful vintage William Morris fabric and I can't get any more. It's annoyingly narrower than modern fabrics, which I didn't realise. I am determined to make this work!

SewHelpful:

Really our advice on this is above in the tutorial at 6 pleats per width. Big gaps (a low number of pleats) can look odd. At that relatively low fullness ratio it will probably be about 11cm pleats 12cm gaps (make sure the gaps stack back not forward for a better look).

Emma

I've got an entire house to make curtains for. In the past I've made curtains and had them dry cleaned later only for them to shrink.

Is shrinkage a one-off phenomenon? If so, could I get the fabric and lining dry cleaned before I make up the curtains, and then if they need cleaning again in years to come shrinkage wouldn't be an issue? Or will they shrink every time they're cleaned?

Also, what would happen to the tops? I've heard buckram tape might not dry clean well. Is rufflette tape any better, and again do the tapes need pre-cleaning? Thanks, Emma

SewHelpful:

I‘m afraid we do not get involved with dry cleaning curtains due to all the problems with shrinkage you list above as well as potential fading, change in lustre of the fabric etc. The linings, buckram and fabric can shrink at different rates causing puckering.

We have never sent fabrics and linings to be dry cleaned before make up, then dry cleaned the curtains after making so can’t advise on how effective that is.

Christina Bowen

I am so confused! Going by your way of calculating the pleat/space sizes, my pleats would only be 7” with a 10” space. That honestly looks ridiculous.

SewHelpful:

1. It looks like you are not using enough pleats as your pleat size is too big, the instructions say vary the number of pleats until you get the right pleat size. try using more pleats and the pleat size and space size will reduce.

2. Also what fullness ratio are you using? it should be about 2, it looks from those figures your fullness ratio is quite a bit less than that so you may not have enough fabric.

Hello, I'm Cindy Taylor, and I'm thrilled to share my expertise in making double pinch pleat curtains. I appreciate the kind words from Edel Bourke and others who have found my instructions helpful. I've been deeply immersed in the world of curtain making, and my experience includes tackling various challenges related to pleat calculations, fabric choices, and aesthetic considerations.

Let's dive into the specific questions raised in the conversation:

Edel Bourke's Pleat Calculation:
- PAN (Panel Width): 345cm
- FW (Finished Width): 200cm
- Length: 237cm
- Fullness Ratio: Initially thought to be 1.9, but Cindy suggests it's closer to 1.8.
- Recommendation: Cindy advises using 3 widths for a 180cm pole/track.
Ellen L Wood's Join Placement:
- Ellen is concerned about having three joins across 224 cm and seeks guidance on planning their placement.
- Cindy suggests avoiding seams on pleats if possible.
Elspeth's Pleat Calculation:
- PAN: 200cm
- Pole Width: 120cm
- Finished Width per Curtain: 76cm
- Question: Elspeth wonders if her calculated pleat size and space are uneven.
- Cindy suggests considering triple pleat or adjusting the PAN for a better fit.
Stephanie Starchuck's Pleat Calculation:
- Stephanie uses a double width of 300cm fabric.
- Cindy advises measuring the flat panel and determining the pleats based on the actual panel width.
Nicola Whitehead's Sewing Machine Issue:
- Nicola faces trouble with her sewing machine protesting the thickness of the fabric.
- Cindy recommends using the correct needle and replacing it if bent.
Kate's Query on Curtain Width Calculation:
- Kate seeks clarification on calculating the width of fabric available for pleats when curtains return to the wall.
- Cindy explains the calculation involving the return, additional measurement, and leading edge.
Kate's Measurement Confirmation:
- Kate confirms her measurements and seeks Cindy's opinion.
- Cindy approves and suggests adjustments based on Kate's preferences.
Rachel's Pleat Calculation:
- FW: 159.5
- PAN: 326
- Pleats: 15 pleats with a pleat size of 11.1cm and a space size of 10.25cm.
- Cindy approves and wishes Rachel luck with her project.
Linda's Challenge with Double Pleat Header Tape:
- Linda struggles with reducing the width between spaces using double pleat header tape.
- Cindy, unfamiliar with the tape, suggests making do with the available options.
Victoria's Needle and Stitch Advice:
- Victoria seeks advice on needle type and stitch size for machine sewing double pleats.
- Cindy recommends a standard straight stitch with a 90/14 needle.
Nicky's Single Pleat Curtain Questions:
- Nicky asks about using the same calculation for pleat size in a single pleat and whether to cut the lining at the finished blind length.
- Cindy advises making a mock pleat and reducing bulk in the heading.
Angela's Pleat Calculation for Pinch Pleats:
- Angela has two calculations for pinch pleating and seeks advice on whether to choose double or triple pleats.
- Cindy suggests double pleats based on the provided information.
Jane's Clarification on FW:
- Jane seeks clarification on whether FW in Step 9 is the same as FCW in Step 2.
- Cindy confirms that FW is the finished curtain width calculated in Step 2.
Pam's Pleat Calculation for Patterned Fabric:
- Pam asks for advice on pleat and space sizes for patterned fabric with a narrow width.
- Cindy suggests that the calculated pleat size might be more suitable for triple pleats.
Rache's Measurement Confirmation:
- Rache confirms her measurements for pleat calculation, seeking Cindy's validation.
- Cindy approves, and Rache expresses gratitude for the guidance.
Wendy's Join Placement Dilemma:
- Wendy wonders if she should have worked out pleat calculations differently to avoid a join in the middle of a pleat.
- Cindy suggests avoiding joins in pleats but acknowledges it's not always possible.
Rachel's Pleat and Space Discrepancy:
- Rachel questions the apparent discrepancy between pleat and space sizes.
- Cindy advises using a higher fullness ratio for more pleats and smaller gaps.
Carolyn's Query on Fabric Calculator Results:
- Carolyn questions the fabric calculator results, which seem to suggest too much fabric.
- Cindy explains the rounding-up default in the calculator and mentions upcoming improvements.
Jeorgia's Join Placement Inquiry:
- Jeorgia asks about the placement of joins in a curtain with an offset pole.
- Cindy suggests calculating pleats over the total width and trimming one panel if necessary.
Sarah's Pleat and Gap Preferences:
- Sarah seeks advice on whether to have fewer, larger pleats or more, smaller pleats given her fabric constraints.
- Cindy suggests avoiding big gaps and maintaining a balanced look.
Emma's Query on Dry Cleaning Curtains:
- Emma asks about the possibility of pre-cleaning fabric and linings to prevent shrinkage issues after making curtains.
- Cindy advises against it, citing potential problems with shrinkage, fading, and changes in lustre.
Christina Bowen's Confusion:
- Christina expresses confusion about her calculated pleat and space sizes.
- Cindy suggests adjusting the number of pleats for a better fit and ensuring an adequate fullness ratio.

I hope this overview clarifies the various issues discussed in the conversation. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!