Pinch pleat curtains have the fabric stitched into small groups of folds along the top, spaced about 10cm apart. They hang in neat, even pleats and look tailored rather than gathered. A double pinch pleat has two folds per group and uses about twice the width of your pole or track in fabric (200% fullness). A triple pinch pleat has three folds and uses about 2.6 times (260% fullness), so it hangs fuller and looks grander.
Double or triple pinch pleat curtains?
| Double pinch pleat | Triple pinch pleat | |
|---|---|---|
| Folds per pleat | 2 | 3 |
| Fullness | 200% | 260% |
| Look | Tailored and crisp | Fuller and more formal |
| Best for | Most living rooms and bedrooms | Tall windows, period homes, heavier fabrics |
| Cost | Less fabric, so lower | More fabric, so higher |
If you can’t decide, go double. It suits modern and traditional rooms and works with most fabric weights. Triple pleat really earns its extra fabric with velvet and heavier weaves, or on a tall window where you want the curtains to feel substantial. On a small bedroom window it can look a bit much.
Pinch pleat vs pencil pleat vs eyelet
- Pinch pleat: structured, evenly spaced folds, and the most formal of the three. 200% or 260% fullness.
- Pencil pleat: gathered with tape into lots of narrow folds, in a 3″ or 6″ heading. Relaxed and classic. 200% fullness.
- Eyelet: 40mm or 50mm rings set into the fabric, which slide straight onto a pole. Clean, deep folds and a modern feel. 150% fullness.
There’s also wave, which gives soft, rolling S-shaped folds (about 110mm deep) and is made to run on a track. Our curtain heading guide shows each one hanging.
One practical difference people don’t expect: pencil pleat curtains arrive flat, and you gather the tape yourself and add your own hooks. Pinch pleat curtains arrive with the pleats already sewn and adjustable hooks attached, so they’re the easier of the two to hang.
Pole or track?
Pinch pleats work on either. On a pole they hang from rings, so the pole and finials are part of the look. On a track they hang from hooks and the heading sits neatly in front. For a bay window a track is the usual choice, because it can follow the shape of the bay where a straight pole can’t.
How do I measure for made to measure pinch pleat curtains?
Use a metal tape and measure in millimetres. Width first, then drop. Our curtain measuring guide has diagrams, but the short version is:
- Width on a pole: measure between the finials, not including them.
- Width on a track: measure the track from end to end. If you’re putting up a new pole or track, let it run 200 to 300mm past the window on each side if you have the space, so the curtains can stack back off the glass.
- Give us the pole or track size, not the curtain size. The fullness is added when the curtains are made.
- Drop: decide whether you want the heading to cover the pole or track, or hang below it. To cover it, measure from the top of the pole or track. To hang below, measure from the ring or hook.
- Take the drop in three places (left, centre and right) and use the shortest.
- Choose your finish: just off the floor looks smart, and sill length suits a window with a radiator underneath.
Measure twice. Made to measure curtains are made to your sizes, so they can’t be returned or cancelled once production starts unless they’re faulty. If you’d like to hang them yourself, our curtain fitting guide walks you through it.
Which fabrics suit pinch pleat curtains?
Medium and heavy fabrics hold a pinch pleat best: cotton, linen, velvet, chenille and textured weaves. Our plain velvet curtains and textured curtains are good starting points. Very sheer fabrics tend to look limp in a pinch pleat, and they can’t be lined either, so a pencil pleat or wave heading suits them better.
A lining also helps the pleats keep their shape. You can choose polycotton or satin (both dim-out) or blackout, and add interlining as an extra layer for more body and warmth. The curtain lining guide explains the differences.
When your curtains arrive, dress the pleats into even folds and tie them loosely for about 48 hours. It sets the pleats so they hang properly from day one.
Quick answers
Are pinch pleat curtains old-fashioned?
No. In a plain or textured fabric they look sharp and modern. They only read as traditional in heavy florals with swags and tails.
Do pinch pleat curtains need more fabric?
Yes. Double pleats use about twice the width of the pole or track, triple pleats about 2.6 times. Eyelets use about 1.5 times.
Can I have pinch pleat curtains on a bay window?
Yes, on a track that follows the bay. Measure each section of the track separately.
Do pinch pleat curtains come with hooks?
Ours do. They arrive with the pleats sewn in and adjustable hooks already attached.
Order your free samples first
Fabric always looks different in your own room, so order a few free fabric samples before you choose. You can have up to five per order. They come through the letterbox in 2 to 3 working days, and you don’t need to send them back. Then browse our living room curtains or the full curtain collection. Made to measure curtains are usually delivered within 10 to 14 working days, free to mainland UK on orders over £150. If you’d rather talk it through, visit our Leicester showroom, where we also offer a local installation service.
