How To Hang Pencil Pleat Curtains
Hanging a set of beautiful made-to-measure pencil pleat curtains is an incredible way to revitalise the look of a room, and with the right approach, sufficient curtain hooks for your window and a method to maintain the pleats of the curtain tape, it is easier than you might expect.
Of the many different types of curtains, pencil pleats are perhaps the style that fits in almost every room, regardless of your interior design sensibilities. They are timeless, refined and versatile, but with just enough of a flourish to truly pop.
With that in mind, here is a guide on pencil pleat curtains, why they are so popular and how to install them.
What Are Pencil Pleat Curtains?
Pencil pleat curtains have a distinctive taped heading with a set of small pleats the width and depth of a pencil.
The curtain tape provides a distinctive structure to the curtains you may not get with eyelet or tabbed curtains, which tend to hang more loosely on the rail, giving your curtain a refined shape and structure to allow your curtains to be hung easily, allows for better adjustments and provides a more secure anchor.
Pencil pleat tape tends to be three inches wide, with three separate pockets to allow the curtains to hang higher or lower depending on the nature of the curtain rail or track.
Why Choose Pencil Pleat Curtains?
One of the most common types of curtain design in the country, the key to the appeal of pencil pleat curtains is versatility.
Because the pleats on the curtain tape are adjustable, they are well suited to standardisation; you can make a pair of pencil pleat curtains longer or shorter to fit a particular window.
As well as this, they can be used with both curtain rails and curtain tracks, allowing them to be used in a wide variety of homes without additional work aside from fitting some curtain hooks.
A Step-By-Step Guide To Installing Pencil Pleat Curtains
As with any other curtain installation, it is best to have another pair of hands to help secure the ladder or hold up the other side of the curtains when first fitting them to the railing, runners or pole rings.
Step 1: Unpack And Unfold Curtains
Your curtains will typically arrive rather tightly packed, which can leave them with fairly substantial creases. Open the packaging, take out the curtains and lay them on a table or bed.
Some people prefer to iron the curtains before putting them on the wall, but this is not necessary; the creases will drop out naturally, and curtains with certain finishes can be damaged by direct heat.
Step 2: Prepare The Curtain Tape
The curtain tape is at the top of the back of your curtains with three rows of string. To get the pleat effect, you will need to pull the string to gather up the curtain.
First, tie a knot at the end of each string that is large enough to stop the string from being pulled through, unless the ends have already been stitched down. A slip knot is a good choice here, and you can adjust them or move the curtains however you like.
Pull the strings evenly to create an elegant bunched-up effect.
Step 3: Hold Them Up To The Window
Make sure the curtains are the right size by holding them up to the window. This will also determine how tightly you pull the strings and the intensity of the pleats.
Step 4: Fit The Curtain Hooks Into The Pockets
Choose the top, middle or bottom set of pockets and start to thread your curtain hooks every three or four pockets, depending on how many runners you already have on your rail.
Step 5: Hang The Curtain
Attach the curtain hook to the runners. Ideally, you should have someone with you to help hold the other end of the curtains, but if you do not, start with the first, last and middle runner and then work inward to hook the rest to ensure your curtain has enough support.
Step 6: Add The Concertina Pleat
The final part of the curtain is to add the concertina effect at the end, which is where you push the fabric back in between each hook to ensure the pleats are prominently displayed, before tying them in place and leaving them overnight.
If you have a curtain holder to hold them open, then you can use this, but if not, get a scrap piece of fabric and tie the pleats in place.
This step is optional, but doing so will ensure that the pleats stay in place in the future.
And, of course, when you come to Pret A Vivre for all your curtain needs, we’ll take care of the installation on your behalf, with a fitting service included alongside made-to-measure curtains, making everything significantly easier!