How to Pinch Pleat Curtains
- 1). Write down on a paper with a pencil the height and width of how big you want the curtains to be.
- 2). Add 14 inches to the length measurement. This is to accommodate the seam allowance for the top and bottom of the curtains.
- 3). Multiply the width by the fullness indicated on the pleating tape. For example, with 36-inch curtains and pleating tape with a fullness of 2 ½ to 1 you would end up with a width of 90 inches.
- 4). Add 4 inches to the multiplied width for the side seam allowance. If the curtains will open in the center add 8 inches after multiplying the width.
- 5). Cut out a sheet of material according to your calculations with scissors. If you are making the curtains into 2 panels, cut down the center of the material.
- 6). Iron down the edges of the material to form hems as you fold them.
- 7). Fold over each vertical side of the material by 1 inch. Make one more fold of 1 inch. These are called double hems.
- 8). Make the bottom hem a double hem of 6 inches by folding the material over by 3 inches and again by 3 inches.
- 9). Form the top hem in the same double hem manner but with two folds of 4 inches this time.
- 10
Sew a straight stitch along each of the side of the material to fix the hems in place. - 11
Pin the pleat tape along the top edge of the curtains with straight pins, with the hanging hooks facing upward. - 12
Sew the tape in place, carefully avoiding stitching over the cords of the tape. - 13
Gently pull the cords of the tape until the entire curtain is pleated. - 14
Knot the cords, hide the hanging ends and hang the curtains from a curtain rod.
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