Okay so you have an idea of your choice of fabric - what next? You need to consider what type of pleating to have. This decision should be in conjunction with the fabric type, as some pleating is better suited to some fabrics than others. There are many types of pleating and we are familiar with them all, and know what works best with each type of fabric. From double or triple pinch pleating, reverse (box) pleating, knife pleating, SFold / ripple fold, gathered tape…. The list goes on.

Which pleating style is best? We can advice which type of pleating will work the best.

It may come down to personal choice – what do you like the look of best?

Often the style of the décor or architecture can determine the pleating style.
A sloped or raked ceiling requires a particular pleating style to make the curtain hang evenly.
Some fabrics and patterns (particularly stripes) lend themselves better to one style than another.
Double tracks can determine best pleating style for front and rear tracks.
Some pleating styles “stack back” more than others – important consideration if you want to get as much curtain off the window as possible . We can guide you through this process and discuss what will work best for you.

Reverse pleats (also known as box pleats), are simply pleated  with the pleats on the back side of the curtain instead of on the front. These curtains add an elegant and modern look to any room in the house. It is helpful to use a mid- to heavyweight fabric to make this type of pleated curtain drape well. Reverse pleat curtains have a very tailored and elegant appearance - perfect for a contemporary  look.

Pinch-pleated curtains are a standard in window coverings. They are versatile enough to fit any decor and attractive on a variety of window styles. The pleats are simply pinched together in either 2 or 3 pleats. Double pinch pleating uses between 2 and 2.2 fullness of fabric. Triple pinch pleat can use up to 2.8 fullness. Sheers can be made with a triple pinch pleat in order to give the curtains more volume.

It is important to consider what type of fabric is being used as sheers with large amounts of polyester can tend to balloon when the fullness increases, particularly on a large window. Remember we are making curtains and not a wedding dress !

Wide striped and irregular striped patterns look best on pinch pleating.

Pinch pleat curtains can also look good on a decorative track. See our range of tracks that will help enhance you decor.

Sleek and subtle to the eye, S Fold and Ripple fold have a very modern appearance with gently and continuously folded drapery from the beginning to the end.  Suitable for use with hand drawn, corded and motorised curtain tracks.  When ironed the curtains will easily fall into neat folds  The nylon tape is stiffened onto the curtain fabric to maintain the folds.  Stack-back uses less space than pleated drapes. A Butt Master carrier can be used to further reduce stack-back. Curtains simply snap on and off the Ripplefold or SFold Tape tape.  

Knife pleats add texture as well as a tailored look. Knife pleats are named for their sharp edges. They add fullness without bulk especially when they are stitched down at the top. Stitched-down knife pleats make the classic kilt garment  flattering and easy to wear. In home decor, knife pleats are a tailored way to add interest to draperies. They are a neater finish than just a ruched or gathered tape.