Bay Window Curtains, Interior Design, Lounge Curtains, Ready Made Curtains, curtains

Curtain Styles – Part 2 – Pencil Pleats

Pencil pleat curtains are probably the most common and widely used style of curtains which can be bought as ready made curtains or you can make your own if you have a sewing machine and basic sewing skills.

Pencil pleats headings offer deep, crisp pleats which are neat, tight and even across the expanse of the fabric. Stylish pencil pleat curtains can be hung for either conventional curtain tracks or curtain poles by using curtain hooks and are a safe choice of curtains styles for any style of home.

The heading tape usually has at least two rows of pockets, you can use either to place your curtain hooks. This enables you not only to have an extra few centimetres of length if needed it also enables you to choose the lower set of pockets to make the heading stand more erect, which is particularly useful if you are hanging your curtains from a curtain tracks which you wish to disappear when the curtains are drawn closed.

There are various curtain hooks from which to hang standard pencil pleat curtains, the type you need will depend on the type of track or curtain pole you’re using as well as the weight of the curtains.

Lightweight curtains, such as voiles are suitable for standard plastic hook. If you’re using heavier weight curtains nylon are a better choice as they are stronger than plastic and will also flex without snapping. Heavy curtains should be hung from metal hooks which are more robust and durable.

If you have Bucram headed curtains you’ll need to use pin hooks. These have a sharp pin which pierces through the curtain fabric and the Bucram on the back of the curtain heading. This type of heading is considered to be the best for creating graceful and elegant pencil pleats.

Ready made curtains with a standard three inch heading will need a hook every fourth pocket, if you’re using Bucram headed curtains a pin hook should be used for every pleat, along with one for each end of the curtains.

Pencil pleats curtains are ideal for all rooms, however, if you’re looking for a refined elegance they are ideal for lounge curtains as well as bay window curtains.

If you prefer to hang your pencil pleat curtains from a curtain pole you’ll need to have curtain rings which have a small suspended hook hole at the bottom. You can then use standard curtain hooks which simply fit into the suspension holes. For the best finished effects make sure you allow for plenty of curtain hooks, otherwise you may find your curtains have a sagging look which will spoil the whole look!