pinch pleat drapes

Pinch Pleat Drapes are hung using hooks / pins or ring clips. They open and close with ease, typically using a traverse (i.e. cord/baton) pull rod, which is great for extra wide window enclosures. They can also be hung in a more modern fashion on a stationary, decorative rod using ring clips attached to the top of the drape.

Pinch pleat drapes are a classic window treatment. This drapery style is highly versatile and can just as easily be used in an elegant formal room design or a casual one. The draperies are created by a series of pleats that are gathered in groups of three or more pleats along the top of the drapery fabric. The spacing between each group of pleats is typically two to three inches apart. The header above the pleats is also usually two to three inches, depending on the style of pleating.

There’s a good reason why they are becoming more and more popular every day. It’s a terrific option to finish off the top level of the drapes, especially as we enter into the fall season. The colder period is when to start reflecting on how to save energy with insulation of your windows, everybody could always save some money in this tough economy. Pinch pleat drapes bring some elegance into your space, it’s captivating, your guests will be immediately drawn to their dramatic, but timeless appeal. They look stunning.



Pinch pleat drapes are a classic window treatment. This drapery style is highly versatile and can just as easily be used in an elegant formal room design or a casual one. The draperies are created by a series of pleats that are gathered in groups of three or more pleats along the top of the drapery fabric. The spacing between each group of pleats is typically two to three inches apart. The header above the pleats is also usually two to three inches, depending on the style of pleating.

Before choosing your curtain or drapery rod you must first determine what style of drapery you want.
Keep all of these tips in mind when making your final decision and ordering. Take into consideration how much light comes into the room. Do you need to screen harsh Western sunlight in the summer months? Perhaps the windows in your room face North with very little light entering yet the room is very cold in the winter. You may prefer to purchase two sets of draperies, a lightweight fabric and a thermal backed draperies. You have a wide selection of choices when it comes to these fabrics and more in a pinch pleat drapes design.

How to Measure Windows for Pinch Pleat Drapes

It can be considered a matter of taste on where to hang your pinch pleat drapes panels, however, there are a few guidelines that will maximize your window size and make the best use of your drapery panels or pinch pleat drapes.

We are often asked, how do you measure for draperies?  Before measuring your windows for pleated draperies you must first determine if you want a full view of the glass when your draperies are in an open position. If the answer is yes, and ideally draperies should clear the window, follow these instructions.



Pinch pleat drapes are a classic window treatment. This drapery style is highly versatile and can just as easily be used in an elegant formal room design or a casual one. The draperies are created by a series of pleats that are gathered in groups of three or more pleats along the top of the drapery fabric. The spacing between each group of pleats is typically two to three inches apart. The header above the pleats is also usually two to three inches, depending on the style of pleating.

Step 1.   Measure for the width first.  Measure from the outside of the window frame (assuming there is a window frame) on the left to the outside of the window frame on the right. If there is no frame just measures the opening from left side to right to get the width of the window. Take this measurement and add 20% to what ever the measurement is. For example, if you measured 100 wide add 20 to that to totally 120.   Then add 12 more inches on to that for overlap (this is were the draperies will meet and overlap in the middle) and return ( this is were the draperies on each side comes to the end of the rod and  go back to the wall.  Take note of how much space is available on left beyond the frame, then on right beyond the frame. This is the area where your draperies will stack back when they are open.

Now, let’s get the measurement for the length of the drapery.
Step 2.  Measure from the top of the frame (if there is no frame, measure from the top of the window) to the floor. If you do not want you draperies to hang to the floor measure to 3? below the window sill. This measurement will be the length of your draperies.