If you want a traditional look for your curtains, pinch Pleats, also known as French pleats, are a great option. They may look intimidating, but using pleater Tape and hooks makes this project simple for sewers of any level.

You can also easily add a drapery lining to these curtains. For more information on drapery lining, see How to Pick Drapery Lining.

- Drapery fabric (Covington Windsor Sterling)
 
- Pleater tape
 
- Pleater hooks
 
- Thread
 
- Scissors
 
- Pins
 
- Ruler or measuring tape
 
- Fabric marker or pencil
 
- Hand sewing needle (optional)
 
- Iron

Step 1: Measure & cut

When determining the width to cut the fabric for your curtain Panel, you have to take into account the amount of fabric the pleats will take up and the amount of space in between the pleats. I would suggest figuring this out with just the tape and hooks before cutting your fabric.

You can get pleater tapes with varying amounts of space between the pockets that you put the hooks into. The pockets on the 4" Multi Pleat Pleater Tape are about ¾” apart. This gives you more options for customizing the look of the pleats. I’m using the 4" Best Pleat Pleater Tape, which has pockets about 2” apart.

To attach the pleater hook, insert each prong into separate pockets. You can also skip pockets to make the pleats deeper.

This curtain panel will have 5 sets of pleats and 5.5” in between with a couple of inches on each end. With the pleats it’s about 28” wide. Mark where you want the tape to end with a pin and take out the hooks. Measure how wide the tape is without the pleats.

To determine the width to cut your fabric, take this measurement and add 3" to account for the side seams. Cut your fabric to this width.
 
Panel width = pleat tape width + 3"

For the height, take how long you want the curtain to be and add 9½” for the hems and cut.
 
Panel height = finished height + 9½"
 
If you want to add a lining, cut it to the same width as the tape and the finished height of the curtain.

Step 2: Sew the sides of the panel

First I’m going to hem the 2 sides of the panel. Fold the edge over ¾” and press. Then fold it over another ¾” and iron it again.

Sew down the length of the panel with a 5/8” seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end to secure the stitches. Repeat this for the other side of the panel.

If you’re adding lining, slip it under each side and pin before sewing.

Step 3: Sew the top & bottom

For this curtain, the bottom hem is going to be the same as the sides, so repeat the same thing. If you want to make a larger hem, just account for that in your height measurements.

When sewing the bottom corners, tuck under the corners.

Or you can sew the bottom hem last if you want to hang the panel first to better judge how much to hem.

For the top, fold the fabric 4” and iron. Then fold another 4” and press again.

Sew with a ¼” seam allowance along the sides and across. Backstitch at the beginning and end.

Step 4: Attach the pleater tape & hooks

Lay the pleater tape on the back of the top, fold under the ends, and pin. Make sure the pockets are on the bottom of the tape and facing out. Take note of the different color threads and sew around the edges of the tape on those lines.

Take a hook and insert the ends of the prongs into the pockets. Push the hook all the way in and secure it with the bottom piece. Repeat for the rest of the pleats.

Step 5: Tack the pleats (optional)

French pleats are often pinched at the base to give them a cleaner look. If you like this look, hand sew the pleats together. Start from the inside of one of the pleats so the knot is hidden. Go in and out of the sides of the pleats a couple of times to tack them together. Knot the end, pull the thread to the inside of one of the pleats and cut the thread.

Hang the hooks on hardware or a traverse rod and the curtain panel is done!