Question re Curtain Header Tape

ChasingButterflies

Hi everyone,

I have what sounds like a really daft question but I would really like to check with you guys ('cos you are all such clever people!)

So I am having 2 pairs of curtains made (which is MSE because I would end up making a huge mistake and wasting the fabric if I tried!) This whole curtain thing is turning into a nightmare.

The 1st time they were made up they weren't wide enough (yes I did give all measurements etc) so I have taken them elsewhere with the extra fabric that was "left over" so I am having 1 extra width put in to 1 pair and 1 half width into the other. Now on Christmas Eve when I tried to hang them the 1st time round I gathered the heading (pencil pleat) and there was no way that they would ever be able to be closed (and tbh even with the extra half width in this set I am not sure that they would) So I asked the lady who is altering them if a pinch pleat header tape would mean that the curtains would "scrunch" up less and so the would definately close. Her reply was that the pencil pleat was the best option because it required the width to be less... I just am not convinced.

I can't buy anymore fabric as it has been discontinued (I had a hard enough time in October getting the quantity required) So I am hoping that someone who is experienced in making curtains will be able to tell me the way to go (please!)

Any advice would be much appreciated!

TomsMom

Just found this:

Pencil-pleated heading tape:
Multiply the track width by 2-2½ when estimating for fabric.

French, triple or pinch pleated heading tape:
Multiply the track width by 2 when estimating for fabric.

So you could use slightly less fabric with a pinch pleat heading.

tanith

Chasingbutterflies not sure I understand what you mean.. I make my own curtains by the way... when you say 'they would scrunch up less' what did you mean... less than what?

When you pull the tapes to gather them up you only pull them tight enough so the curtains will 'fit' your window.. you don't pull them tight tight ... the pleats still show even if they are loosely gathered...

Psykicpup

its a two person job or get creative with the tape measure I'm afraid. You need to measure from the out most point of were the curtain will be (the outside edge) to slightly beyond the centre point. Then pull the cords on the header tape till the scrunched up curtain top is the same length, At this point tie off the cords, thenyou can re-arrange the scrunchieness (sp?) till its even.
When you ordered the curtain did you allow for the pleating of the fabric?

HTH

ChasingButterflies

Thanks TomsMom,

I had seen similar info - which is why what the curtain lady was saying didn't make sense to me... I was beginning to wonder if there was something I didn't know/was missing. Looking at it locigally you would think that a pinch pleat would use less of the width of the cutains than a pencil pleat - so why is she saying that it won't?!

Luckily both sets of curtains will be just over double the width of the poles they are going on (once the extra fabric is in) So I think I might just be best changing the header tape to pinch pleat (and keep my fingers crossed!)

ChasingButterflies

Tanith,

What I meant was that a pinch pleat header would effectivly gather less fabric than pencil pleat (in my mind I am thinking that the flat area on the pinch pleat will make the difference for them being wide enough to close)

When they were made the 1st time, for example the set of the 4m pole we only 2.3m wide each so there was no way the tapes could really be pulled at all.

The other set were the same size but were for a 3m pole so could be gathered a bit more - I did loosen the pleats that I had made in the tape but they would still not have been wide enough to close.

I ordered the fabric from JL - I went in with the measurements for both windows and the sales assitant calculated the amount of fabric required for me. From memory there was enough there for them both to be I think 2 1/4 times the pole - does that sound about right?

Psykicpup - that is a great simple way to hang them - why couldn't I have thought that way?!

I know I must seem completely irrational to be this wound up about a some curtains - after 2 years we finally had enough pennies to sort out our lounge (plus a lot of time and effort!) and the curtains are the only thing that aren't sorted. I was so dissapointed on Christmas eve - I just want to make sure that they are right this time.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Natlou_2

Hi there - I have my own curtain shop business where we make made to measure curtains. From what I have read on the above threads I disagree somewhat.

If you have 'pinch pleat' heading, will you have to gather the tape in yourself? - The reason I ask is because all the made to measure pinch pleat curtains we sell have fixed headings with the metal hooks in place (i,e they don't use tape) - If this is what you are getting then the lady making them is correct - they do use more fabric (widthways) than pencil pleat curtains. Pencil pleats are generally more forgiving because you can just gather them to the width of the pole (i,e be a bit more sparing if necessary) and then just even them out once you have secured the cords.

Also, if you are buying pinch pleat headings and they are being professionally made, they should be done exactly as above and the person making them should ask what the exact pole length is from finial to finial as they need this measurement to make the curtains.

Hope that helps

Natlou x