Creating a Pleated Drapery Heading

The draperies for our upcoming webinar are ready to be pleated.

They are going to look fabulous and make a bold statement with the graphic print fabric from Greenhouse Fabrics and modern black gloss square pole from Finestra Decorative Hardware.

(To see more details about the draperies and this project, see our previous blog entries).

 To sew in pleats, an industrial sewing machine is used.  This machine will easily sew through the multiple layers of fabric, buckram and blackout lining. The pleats are marked and stitched from the top to the bottom of the buckram heading (4").  There are two "right ways" to sew the pleats.  From the bottom-up or from the top-down.  We are showing both methods here.

Sewing from the bottom up: Start 4" down from the top edge, back-stitch and continue up towards the top, back-stitching at the end.  To prevent an uneven top edge, purposely start with the top slightly uneven, the fabric will push forward as you sew.  How much uneven?  This depends on the layers, fabric and sewing machine being used.  One practice pleat will give you the proper step-back for all the rest.

Sewing from the top down:  Start about 3/4" below the top with the needle seated in the down position.  Back up and continue sewing from the top to the bottom of the buckram, back-stitching at the bottom.  Starting below the top prevents the fabric from shifting out of position.

The pleats have been hand-tacked into the French Pleat style.

Heavy Duty pins (#DPHD)are added using the Pinsetter tool (#PS10/D) from Rowley Company.

The drapery pins are set 3/4" down from the top edge to fit onto the carriers of our traversing track.

Ready to install!

If you would like to see the final room design join us for Glam for the Fam: A Dining Room Makeover 
on Tuesday, August 23rd at 11:00 am Eastern Standard Time. 
Click here to register.