Making stitched pleats will make your treatments look so plush, and you would be able to keep them with a structured fullness that does not require much management. These sewn pleated curtains are ideal for removing that billowy fabric effect from the bottom half of your window curtains.
In this write-up article, you will learn how to sew pleated curtains. Following the different step-by-step methods, you will arrive at the perfect pleated curtains.
Consistency in pleats is achievable. You have to measure the fabric consistently, lest you have uneven pleats. You should also know that backstitching or back tacking is essential at the end of your stitching.
Backstitching helps the pleats to retain their shape well. Don’t forget to consistently pin as well. Apart from ensuring that you get even pleats, it also helps get the pleats in the right shape.
Easy Steps to sewing pleated curtains
Step #1: Gettin the Materials ready
The first step on how to sew pleated curtains is to get the things needed ready. The materials include:
- Pleat tape
- Pleat hooks
- Curtain rings
- Fabric
- Measuring tape
- Pins
- Tailoring chalk
Step #2: Measurement
The next step on how to sew pleated curtains is taking measurement. To determine the amount of fabric needed for this curtain project, measure two times the width of your window, add extra 2 inches to get a seam allowance of 1 inch on both sides of the window.
To find out the length. From top to bottom, measure the rod up to where you desire your window treatment to end. Then add 6 and a half inches to it.
This will allow you to have a 2.5 inch for the hem on the bottom of the curtain. Then add 4 inches more to the top. You will fold this over to form a rod pocket.
This DIY curtain project guide is on how to sew pleated curtains using the 3-inch curtain pleats; as a result, you only have to sew five pleats in total.
Step #3: Sewing
Now, for you to create the seams on the two sides of your panel, remember you have a one-inch allowance for the seam on each side of the panel. You then press the fabric for half an inch and fold into another half-inch, sew it along the edge.
And for the bottom panel, press up for half an inch, fold it 2 inches up and sew. Leave the upper edge unfinished for the moment.
Step #4: Hemming
Hem the two seams on the side and the bottom of the panel. From your initial measurements and cut, you would have a one-inch seam allowance on the two sides of your panel. Mark out your pleats across the top of the curtain with the tailor’s chalk.
Start from the left part of the seam at the front of the fabric, then measure up to 5 inches from the seam on the side, making a parallel line. So from the measurement you made, measure 6 more inches and draw out another parallel line.
Repeat the 5 inch and 6 inches alternating measurements till you are on the seam at the right hand.
Step #5: Pinning
Use pins to hold line 1 to line 2, line 3 to line 4, and continue like that, then you sew it down for 8 inches. Press all the pleats flat with an iron, creating a 3-inch pleat so that the seam is behind the exact center of the pleat.
Pin the sewn pleats together so that they measure about 8 inches and run top-down on both sides of the pleats.
Note: While working, ensure that you achieve a neat finishing on the curtains. Pull back the excess thread on the back of the curtain. To achieve this easily, tug gently on the bobbin thread. It will make the thread at the top go right through to the back.
Step #6: Folding
Fold the curtain into 1/2 an inch at the top edge at the back and press down. Fold in another 3 and a half inches to the back and sew across the panel you have pleated to form the rod pocket.
Step #7: Installation
The last step on how to sew pleated curtains is installing the curtain. Hang your beautifully made pleated curtains.
How to sew Pleated Curtains Attaching the Loose Lining
You can equally attach loose linings to your pleated curtains. To do this, loop the curtain hook across the tape for the loose lining and also through the heading tape.
Keep doing this until you have secured the hook into place. The lining is attached to your curtain now, and you can easily remove them if you have to.
How do you Calculate Pleats on how to sew Pleated Curtains?
Create tallies for the number of pleats that you what on the curtain. Take, for instance, you can have six pleats, then you divide the length of the window by the number of pleats you have determined.
Calculate the desired size of your pleats, add extra inches to allow for folding the pleat.
Should I Line my Curtains?
When learning how to sew pleated curtains, you may need to know about the need to line your curtains. So, if your curtain is of cotton or polyester materials, you should line them so that they don’t wash out.
It is also not so complex to add lining to your curtains on the back.
Conclusion
One activity you may consider learning is how to sew pleated curtains for your home. They do not need more than the basic sewing skills, and you only have to stitch them on your own to make unique, distinct curtains that would not cost you so much out of your pocket.
Instead of getting professionally made curtains, spare a weekend with your sewing machine to sew curtains that will give you a guaranteed exquisite and polished professional finish in your room.
Formerly, you may have learned how to sew the basic curtain panel, but making the pleated curtains will take up your panel look up another classy notch. You can easily make them, provided you follow the above steps and don’t ignore the power of pleating tapes!