Pencil pleat curtains are the simplest form of window dressing and one of the most versatile.  Pencil pleat is made on a heading tape, with a choice of 1", 2", 3" or 6" deep headings, with 3" being the most often used.

Pencil pleat curtains require 2 to 3 times the width of the window for fullness (see measuring guide).

This picture shows in detail the simple vertical pleats caused by the gathering of the strings on the back of the tape.

One end must be tied off before pulling and gathering the strings.

Simple plastic or metal curtain hooks may be used and threaded through the loops on the back of the tape.

These hooks may then be used either on a curtain track or a curtain pole

Pencil pleat tapes have either 3 or 6 pockets in the back in which to place your curtain hooks.

home zone will always use the six pocket variety as this allows greater flexibility of positioning when hanging your curtains.

This image demonstrates a simple curtain track with the Pencil pleat heading set over the track so as to cover the rail when closed.

The curtain hooks are set a few pockets down and are threaded through the runner at the bottom of the rail.  It must be noted however that Pencil pleats have the habit of "bunching" untidily when opened as the fabric sits against the rail instead of folding behind it.

To avoid this, hang the curtains from the uppermost pocked.  This way the curtains will fold behind the rail when opened. The disadvantage of this method is that the rail is always on show, but this may be overcome by the use of either a valance, a coloured metal curtain track, or by using a decorative curtain pole.

This image demonstrates Pencil pleats hanging from a pole

The curtain hooks are inserted into the heading tape as usual, normally from the top pocket, and then the hook is threaded through the eyelet on the bottom of the ring.

The Pencil pleats in this picture are tightly gathered into very close, neat pleats.  A fullness of 2.5 or even 3 (2½ to 3 times the width of the window) has been used to achieve this effect.

This works particularly well on smaller windows because the curtains are kept neatly closed at the top and are draped back using tie-backs.  To close the curtains at night, the tie-backs are removed and the curtains close.

On larger windows where keeping the curtains closed at the top is impractical, tie-backs may still be used to dress the curtains, however, it must be noted that pencil pleats on poles will always "bunch" when opened due to the nature of the pleat.  This is a perfectly normal consequence of Pencil pleats when hung on a pole.

Here we have pencil pleat valances on a valance rail covering the pencil pleat curtains.

A contrast trim has been used on the edge of the valance which helps to create design impact as well as delineation between the two treatments.

The common mistake when making a valance is to use too little fabric. The trick here is to go up by 2 widths in the valance compared to the curtains. Therefore, if the curtains have 3 widths in them in total, the valance should have 5 widths.

A pencil pleat valance should always be tighter and fuller than the curtains.  This allows it to be dressed correctly with the frill beneath the heading tape forming a slight "balloon" effect.

Dressing Pencil Pleat Curtains

• Ensure cords at both ends of tape have been tied off

• Pull strings so that each curtain is a little more than half the width of the pole or track

• Space each pleat out evenly using your fingers to straighten each pleat

• Use the multi-pockets on the tape to hang your curtains, making sure that you use a hook for every few pockets.

• Use "crease-away" spray (available in-store) lightly on the curtains and then run your fingers down each pleat to neaten the curtains

• Pull curtains back in neat folds, arranging and dressing each pleat as you go

• Use spare strips of fabric and lightly tie around the curtains, one strip just down from the top, another in the middle, and one near the bottom

• Leave the curtains overnight

The pleats should now be trained into place for perfect looking curtains.