Fitting pencil pleat curtains onto corded track - DIY newbie!

twopenny

Right Mike.

Curtains should, to look nice should be 1 and a half times the width for each side to give fullness.

I have done them with less and it does the job. Most visitors only see them pulled back.

So for a 3ft window each curtain should be 3ft wide to allow for fullness.

If you're in a small room though that can look heavy and bulky.

MikeJXE

Agree with that 

lb00

@twopenny @MikeJXE

sorry each curtain panel is 168cm, I've done the pleats and made each panel roughly 88cm so that together the two panels should span the whole length of the rail which is 175cm - window is 150cm wide.
Been following this approach
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu3wgifcDNg

Let me know if that makes sense and thanks so much!

MikeJXE

The video is correct

Your rail looks deeper than the one on the video and if you put the hooks in the top pocket it might show above your curtain 

By dropping to a lower row of pockets has consequences, if you don’t use the right quantity of hooks the top of the curtain can sometimes droop 

MikeJXE

A photo when you have them up would be good 

twopenny

And don't worry too much.

They can be fiddled with and moved until they look right. It's not an exact science.

Most diy isn't. The ads make you think it's something special but most people did their own, in fact made their own curtains before internet and advertising.

One thing I can suggest if it's not too late.

When you have pulled the strings to make the pleats don't do a very tight knot. Have something you can undo and adjust in the future.

Most advice is to 'tie a knot' which makes you think tight. But in the future, when you wash them or theybe been pulled hundreds of times it's sometimes useful to be able to adjust the strings.

Yes would love a photo

What's next? Recovering chairs, quilting, making cushions

lb00

@twopenny @MikeJXE

here is my first try. What do you think? Had to go one leave one pocket in between also on the slider and for the end hooks otherwise it just looked all straight there with no gather at all.
I put the hooks in the middle pockets but the rail is still visible so might go with the bottom one to hide it.

MikeJXE

looks good 

Putting the hooks in the bottom row might turn the top outwards but worth a try 

twopenny

Looking lovely

Well done.

Yes it may turn the top. On the other hand that will stop cold and light coming through.

I sometimes raise mine in summer to stop light hitting the ceiling too much when it rises at 4am!

lb00

@twopenny @MikeJXE

Changed them to the bottom pockets and it looks like this. When drawn back look a bit messy but I guess that's inevitable.
Let me know what you think and thanks so much!