Updated at: 05-09-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

With a little practice, you can change your home’s decor from drab to fantastic in no time. It truly is an art form, and one that has been practiced for countless years.

If you have a few basic tools and materials on hand, you can make your own elegantly wrapped window curtains in no time. You’ll learn how to pleat drapes using hooks in this post.

When it comes to putting up pinch pleat curtains, the process is rather straightforward. Traversing curtain rods with glides can be used in place of a normal curtain rod. These are the steps:

  1. Insert one hook into the curtain ring.
  2. One hook should be inserted into the curtain ring.
  3. Then, using the measurements you just took, hang each panel with a curtain hook. Stack one in each pleat and one at the ends.
  4. In between each pleat, gather the area together.
  5. The rings or gliders can be used to hang each hook.

Here, we’ll go into deeper depth about each stage. If you have any queries about pinch pleat curtains, please read on.

Steps on How to Pleat Curtains with Hooks

Gather the necessary equipment and materials for the project.

Make a pleating ribbon that is long enough for the length of the curtain rod (or pole) plus a few extra feet on each end for tying off at the end of the pleating process.

DIY Pinch Pleat Curtains // How to Make Budget IKEA Curtains Look Like a Million Bucks — The Grit and Polish

Tie a pleat about three inches long on one end of the ribbon with masking or cellophane tape before folding over another pleat and securing it with additional tape in step four.

A total of three inches of fabric should be left between each fold as you continue pleating the curtain panel to get the required amount of pleats.

Tie off the other end of the ribbon so that there is equal hanging length on both sides. An optional hook or loop can be attached to this end.

Step seven: To hang your newly completed curtain, you may use either a hanging rod with hooks screwed into the wall about two feet apart from each other (about four inches from the top of the window) or by using clothespins and a string for shorter curtains that are hung in between windows. Curtains should not be hung from tension rods.

With the curtain finished, it’s time to hang it. You can do this either by screwing a hanging rod into the wall about two feet apart (approximately four inches from the top of the window), or you may hang it by using clothespins attached to a string for shorter curtains that are placed between windows. Hanging curtains on tension rods is not recommended.

What are Pleated Curtains?

Pleated curtains are a lovely way to increase the level of privacy in your house while also adding a stylish element. They’re ideal for large windows, but they can also be used to create the illusion of several panels in smaller windows.

Advantages of Pleated Curtains

Pleated curtains are fairly easy to clean and take care of because the fabric is not as heavy or thick as traditional draperies. They also make a room feel more open since there is less bulk in front of the window.

Disadvantages of Pleat Curtains

Because the fabric isn’t as heavy or thick as traditional draperies, pleated curtains are a breeze to clean and maintain. Because there is less mass in front of the window, they also make a space feel more spacious.

Steps to Hanging Pleated Curtains

Make a note at the end of the window where you’ll need to place your curtain rod, around 18 inches from the window itself (this will give you a few inches of hanging space).

To hang your pleated curtains, slide one edge over the other until they are all gathered together.

Step three: Use an adhesive hook at or near eye level to hang this curtain from the farthest end (the window, if you are at the end of it).

Next, lay out your second curtain and make a pleat along one edge. Make sure the folded edge is centered over the other side of the rod when it overlaps.

Step five: Apply an adhesive hook to the opposite end of the second curtain and hang it.

Step Six: Hang your third curtain in the same fashion, folding it over and hanging it from the other side of the other two curtains.

Each pleated curtain should be hung on a separate curtain rod so that it forms a crisp straight line when hung together in this manner.

Hang any extra curtains in the same fashion, alternating between the opposite ends of the rod and overlapping them as you go, in order to complete the look.

How to Care for Pleated Curtains

Using hooks to hang all of your curtains is a good first step.

There are two things you can do to ensure that they don’t get hurt. The pleats will bunch together as a result, making them less appealing. Use a stick that is taller than the pole if you must set something in front of your curtain to avoid touching the fabric from behind.

When not in use, place them in a safe place. Maintaining the pleats and keeping dust away from them will be made easier with the help of this product. Slide hooks through the rod near to where the curtain is fastened, or fold up and put flat on a shelf such as under your bed or behind couch cushions so that they don’t get crushed when folding.

Tips 4: Hold on to the direction of motion.

5. Use a moist or dry dusting brush to remove dirt and debris on a regular basis, but avoid getting the cloth or brush too wet. Chemicals that are abrasive on your fabric can cause it to fade over time, so avoid applying them.

DIY Pinch Pleat Curtains // How to Make Budget IKEA Curtains Look Like a Million Bucks — The Grit and Polish

Step-By-Step Guide to Hanging Pinch Pleat Curtains

Make sure you have enough curtain rings or gliders if you plan to hang the curtain from a pole or track. One ring should be placed between each outer bracket on poles. The hooks can now be inserted.

Hooks are attached to the pinch pleat curtain by laying it down on a flat surface and leaving a small amount of room at the top for adjustment.

Step 3: Hook each curtain panel to one side of the pinch pleat and work your way outwards. The hook must penetrate both the curtain’s outer material and its pleated inner material. Ensure that the hook is clearly visible by pushing it all the way through

Insert a few additional hooks into the track or pole before hanging the pinch pleated curtain. The bottom and top of the piece should be checked to ensure a proper finish. If you need to readjust the hooks, hold a tape measure at the hook’s heading to mark the position it should be inserted. Now gently push the straight part of the hook through the curtain top so that it’s sitting behind each pinched pleat. Each end should have a flat portion of the curtain.

While holding the curtain, thread a couple more hooks into the track or pole before hanging it. Make sure the bottom and top positions are where they should be. The hooks can be readjusted by measuring the heading of the hook with a tape measure and marking where it should be put. The straight part of the hook should now be sitting behind each pinched pleat of the curtain, so gently push it through the curtain top. Each end of the curtain should have a flat piece.

Step 6: A curtain hook is required on the outside edge. On both the inner and outer edges, two hooks should be placed close together.

This is the final step before hanging your pinch pleated curtains.

Best Hooks to Use For Pinch Pleat Curtains

It’s crucial to know that pinch pleated curtains can’t be hung with pencil pleat curtain hooks. The upper section of the pinch pleat type hook has a sharp tip, despite its resemblance to a pencil pleat. It is possible to hang these curtains using pinch pleated hooks in h shape because the pleats are stitched into the upper section of these curtains.

The pleated curtain can be pierced with these hooks on both sides. With the help of some hooks, you may slip them through the backs of pleats.

It is possible to alter the curtain’s height by using hooks that pierce through the pleats, which gives you a choice of four distinct heights to choose from.

This means that you must determine exactly where to pierce the fabric with each hook. List of ready-made hooks for different window sizes and pinch pleated curtains follows:

  • Choose two 75 cm wide curtains for a 120 cm window.
  • Two 105 cm wide curtains for a 180 cm wide window
  • Two curtains, each 135 cm wide, will cover a 240 cm window.
  • Two 165-centimeter-wide curtains will cover a 300-centimeter-wide window.

In the case of sheer pleated curtains, the hooks you select will appear somewhat different. Because they are termed pin hooks, these specific hooks for sheer pleated curtains must be installed correctly. The hook comes with a pin that is inserted into the pleated curtain’s back seam.

Good to Know

The number of curtain rings or gliders must match the number of curtain hooks before hanging pinch pleated curtains.

Starting in the middle and going outwards is the most efficient approach to hang your curtains. This saves you the trouble of taking the curtains down to add more rings if you need to.

If you want to be sure your pinch pleated curtains are the right length, hold each one up to the track or pole. Make sure to leave a 1-inch gap in the centre of the curtains so that you can fully close them.

In order to establish the number of rings needed for the hooks if you are using a track to hang your pinched pleated curtain, count the fixed end stop.

Position the curtain’s initial ring at the end of the pole to keep it from slipping into the middle of the track when you close it. After shutting the pinch pleated curtain, there will be no sliding motions.

For best results, let your pinch pleated curtains settle for a few weeks before adding any finishing touches. Take a piece of rope or ribbon and tie it loosely around each curtain to give it a finished look. Keep the pleats in place with this method For the best results, leave the ribbon or rope in place for at least two days before removing it.

Wrapping it Up

It’s not difficult to hang a pinch pleat curtain if you know how. Following our detailed instructions will help you get the ideal look. Pinch pleated curtains in your living room or bedroom can be customized to fit the height of your window.

Hanging Pinch Pleat Curtains

Pinch pleats are a fashionable drapery design. The curtain material is at least twice as broad as the curtain rod. Pleats are made by squeezing the extra material into a compact bundle. It is then bundled and sewed together. Thus, a more ornate, opulent curtain with deep, graceful folds is the end result.

Curtain hooks are used to hang the curtains. The hooks for pinch pleat curtains can be purchased separately. To save money, here are some options for hooks you can buy:

Two more hooks are required for the ends of each pleat. A traverse rod with gliders or a curtain rod with rings can be used. There is a glider or ring required for each hook. You’ll need 12 curtain rings and hooks if your curtain has 10 pleats (or gliders).

Measuring The Curtains

Put one of the hooks into the curtain ring or glider and then hang the curtain. Make a note of the distance between the curtain rod and hardware’s bottom hook and the top of the rod and hardware. You need to figure out how low the curtain hooks need to be inserted in order to hide the curtain rod.

When the curtain is flat on a table, counter, or other comparable piece of furniture, you can rest it. Be careful not to bunch or wrinkle the pinch pleat curtain by not laying it flat after you’ve finished putting it up.

Attach Curtain Hooks

Mark the correct location on the curtain using the measurements you found above. Each pleat should have a pin in it to help you determine the right depth for the curtain hooks. Placing one hook at each end and in each pleat is how the hooks are to be inserted. Keep an eye on the curtain to make sure the hooks don’t poke through to the other side.

To test the panel, hang a few hooks and see if they work. Hang it from the curtain to make sure the pins are inserted at the right level. If they are too high or low, and will not hang from the rod correctly, then adjust. Once you have the correct “hang,” finish adding the rest of the hooks. The hooks on either end should hang in the middle of the hem allowance.

HOW TO MAKE TRIPLE PINCH (FRENCH) PLEAT CURTAINS USING IKEA HARDWARE | Pleated curtains, Pinch pleat curtains, Diy curtains

Fold The Pleats

Fold the material between the pleats as you pinch and bunch the pleats together. Fold the hem allowance in half at the end of the panel.

At this point, some individuals prefer to tie the curtains together. The curtain can be banded together with a piece of string or ribbon. Using this method protects the folds from falling out of position. As a result, hanging the curtain may be a lot easier.

Hang The Curtain

Each hook’s loop should be threaded through the eyelet of the ring or glider it’s attached to. Work meticulously to ensure that each hook is placed precisely where it belongs. Every hook that is out of place must be redone, so pay close care and don’t skip any. Until all of the curtain hooks are in place, make careful to keep the curtain weighted down.

Add a second curtain panel if necessary and fluff them up again. Each pleat and fold of material should be tucked into place until the curtain is hanging as desired. Ta-da! You’ve accomplished your goal!

Do you need further assistance? Take a look at the video below:

You may learn more about the operation of a traverse rod and gliders here.

How Do You Hang Pinch Pleat Curtains With Clips?

We understand that you’d rather not deal with hundreds of tiny curtain hooks. Ring clips have grown more popular as a straightforward, no-fuss method of hanging curtains. Pinch pleat curtains are another specialty of theirs.

Attach one clip to the top of each pleat and one clip to each end of the pleats. Replace the hook with a clip. For the most part, the rest of the process remains the same.

How Do You Hide Curtain Ring Clips?

The curtain will have an effect on this. In each pleat, you should be able to discover a spot near the header where a clip can be inserted. As with the hook method, measure the clip and position it accordingly. Go as far down as the curtain header will allow you to conceal the clip and any other hardware on the curtain.

When it comes to sewing a pleat, certain curtains are simpler to work with than others. Traditional curtain hooks are always an option if you’re having trouble.

How Much Space Should Be Between Floor and Curtains?

There is a basic guideline that drapes should hang down to the floor. There are a variety of curtain lengths to choose from. Pooling curtains, for example, have several inches of surplus fabric that pools on the floor. If you’re going for a romantic or opulent look, these are perfect. However, routine chores like vacuuming can be made more difficult by their presence.

Floating curtains, on the other hand, stop just a few inches above the floor. With these, you don’t need to have curtains right under your feet when you’re dealing with a large volume of foot traffic. You can find out more about the many types of curtain lengths and the rules that govern them here.

How Much Space Do You Need Between Pinch Pleats?

The spacing between pinch pleats is between four and six inches. 4 or 5 pleats in total are typical for a 54-inch curtain. To some extent, this depends on how full you want your curtains to be.

Each of the pleats has a length of six to eight inches. Again, the amount of cloth in each pleat is entirely up to the wearer’s discretion. A 54-inch panel may require five four-inch pleats, for example. Using this method, the cloth will be cut into 20-inch lengths, with each pleat adding another 6-inch length to the total. This leaves you with four inches to sew a 2-inch seam on both ends of the curtain if desired.

Alternatively, you may like fewer pleats yet be able to utilize a greater volume of fabric. 16 inches of fabric is needed to make four 4-inch-wide pleats, for example. Each pleat requires eight inches of cloth, so you’ll need an additional 32 inches to complete the project. Six inches of cloth remains out of a total of 48. Both sides have an optional seam allowance of 3 inches.

However, depending on your particular preferences, you may prefer one of these calculations over the other. Just keep in mind that you’ll need additional material for the curtain’s seams at the end. This material should not be broader than the distance between the pleats, but it can be equal to it..

What Is The Difference Between Pinch Pleat And Pencil Pleat?

In terms of curtain design, pencil pleats are the most common type of pleat. The material that hangs from the rod is barely collected. These curtains may be pulled as flat as you want, allowing them to hang like a sheet.

As an alternative, a pinch pleat gathers material together to create a fuller, more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Folds and pleats in the fabric are sewed together for a long-lasting effect. This sort of curtain is designed to ruffle, so it won’t hang perfectly. Pencil pleat curtains often use three times as much fabric as full-length drapes.

In Closing

They may look expensive, but pinch pleat curtains can be hung in a matter of minutes. Clip rings or curtain hooks can be used for each pleat. For a more traditional curtain pole, you can use hooks to hang your curtains from the traverse rod. Both methods will result in beautiful, voluminous draperies that capture attention.