Triple pleats - pleated by design

[jane Pins & Needles Find all posts View Profile Close jane]

As the fabric has a big bold pattern, I thought these were a good example of curtains that have been pleated by design.

These are two of the 4 pairs of interlined curtains with triple pleat heading I've just finished (plus 2 co-ordinating striped blinds) all for the same room.
As if a big bold pattern which dictated the spacing wasn't challenge enough, to complicate matters further, I had 3 different pole lengths and 2 finished lengths to deal with. Thankfully, all the poles are at the same height and sit well away from the wall which removed two potential issues.

Pleating to pattern is something I've only relativelly recently had to get my head around (and it's taken some doing I can tell you!) so, I must confess, I'm rather chuffed with the results.
[attachment=0:7lpl0qed]Interlined triple pleats - pleated to pattern.JPG[/attachment:7lpl0qed]

[Penny Pins & Needles Find all posts View Profile Close Penny]

Re: Triple pleats - pleated by design

Well done Jane!
Those curtains are a perfect example of pleating to the pattern. I know you have spent a long time making them and the effort has been well worth it.
I am sure your customer was delighted. Excellent job! BCG!

Px

[JoanE Three Needles Find all posts View Profile Close JoanE]

Re: Triple pleats - pleated by design

WOW they are beautiful - but how does one pleat by design ???????? I tried it once and failed miserably.

JE

[Tam Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Tam]

Re: Triple pleats - pleated by design

Superb job Jane, well done you

The photos are just fantastic ( if only my home was just like that, clean and tidy with NOTHING on the table lol)

[Jules BANNED USER Find all posts View Profile Close Jules]

Re: Triple pleats - pleated by design

Hi Jane,

You have excelled yourself!!!! They are just absolutely perfect, you BCG! The fact that you have pleated to pattern makes them look so much sleeker and smarter. It fits beautifully with the stripped down, unfussy room style. I do hope you'll put that beautiful pic on your website.

As to your question JE, it's all about being aware of how many patterns are across your fabric, realising how many complete pleats and spaces you can get from each width depending on how many widths of fabric you have.

Rule of thumb . . . . (I hope I'm right....)

For 4 patterns accross a width of fabric, using one width - max 2 complete pleats, a space between them and a leading and back edge.

Same 4 patterns across, using 1.5 widths of fabric - max 4 complete pleats, 3 spaces between them and a leading and back edge.

Same 4 patterns across, using 2 widths of fabric - max 6 complete pleats, 5 spaces and a leading and back edge.

Same 4 patterns across, using 3 widths of fabric - max 10 complete pleats, 9 spaces and a leading and back edge.

And on and on. You will only get 4 pleats from a width of cloth when this width has a width joined to it at the left and right edges.

You will loose fabric from the leading edge and back edge of each curtain pleating this way. As Philip has said, it is heavy on fabric and you must plan your curtains BEFORE ordering your fabric!

For a 140cm wide fabric with a width joined to both sides you have 35cm to create a pleat and a space.

[Louise Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Louise]

Re: Triple pleats - pleated by design

They look lovely Jane - was that the customer you had to convince/explain about pleating to pattern? I can see why it was important with that fabric.

[LSS Three Needles Find all posts View Profile Close LSS]

Re: Triple pleats - pleated by design

I am inspired plucking up the courage to make some handmade instead of that dreadful tape
can i just ask if u are using a pole do u have a pin hook at the leading edge of curtain and one at the other end too ?
many thanks
lss

[jane Pins & Needles Find all posts View Profile Close jane]

Re: Triple pleats - pleated by design

No louise, that's the customer for my next job. This customer was a pleasure to work with & just left it to me to sort out.

As the leading & trailing edges are only 5-7cm long & there are no returns to the wall, the hooks are just in the pleats.

I've never used the triple pleat tape but having seen some curtains recently where the tape had been used, I would never use it. If you can learn how to use the buckram, I think you'll find the result really worth the effort.

If you haven't already got a good book, M&D's Encyclopedia of Curtains or Maureen Whitemore's Home Furnishing Workbook give very good explanations and, of course, there's an abundance of people on here who would be more than happy to guide you through making them. go on.....make up a sample and see how you go - think you'll be delightd with the results.

[LSS Three Needles Find all posts View Profile Close LSS]

Re: Triple pleats - pleated by design

Thanks for that Jane
i will do just that and this site has given me confidence to try different techniques
and improved my typing ... not !
many thanks
lss

[crackerkelly Pins & Needles Find all posts View Profile Close crackerkelly]

Re: Triple pleats - pleated by design

Jane, those curtains are a credit to you - they look amazing - well done.
Ursula

[Cat Pins & Needles Find all posts View Profile Close Cat]

Re: Triple pleats - pleated by design

Beautiful work Jane, well done. You have every right to be chuffed with yourself !!

Cat

[irichmond Three Needles Find all posts View Profile Close irichmond]

Re: Triple pleats - pleated by design

Really beautiful work Jane, I've never pleated by design will have to have a go next time I have some suitable fabric to work with.

Regards Irene

[kathy Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close kathy]

Re: Triple pleats - pleated by design

Oh Jane they look stunning - never tried this pleating to design yet! but I know who to ask for when I get stuck lol

Well done you must be proud

Kathy

[sophie Needle & Thread Find all posts View Profile Close sophie]

Re: Triple pleats - pleated by design

Well done Jane they do look really great.

Sophie