Pinch Pleat Drapery: All the Details

When looking for custom drapery, homeowners consider many factors like how it controls light, energy efficiency, and design. Draperies come in all shapes and sizes to accommodate customer needs, plus provide inspirational, one-of-a-kind, carefully crafted materials for every home. Learn why people are choosing pinch pleat drapery, a timeless, elegant style, and how t incorporate it into their homes.

What is a Pinch Pleat?

A ‘pinch pleat’ is how a fabric is pulled together to create a customized look in the header. Fabric folds pinch together and are stitched for a tailored look. There are various styles of this, and with those, a stunning and precise look for each window.

Let’s Talk about Pinch Pleat Header Styles

All the header styles have distinct looks to them and are similar, yet different in how they present themselves at the window. Let’s look at some of the header styles so you can see them up close as you decide which look suits your home’s window covering needs.

Single, Double, and Triple Pleats

1. Single Pleat: fabric is folded once, in a structured way, to keep the folds consistent, either when opened or closed, for a clean look.
2. Double Pleat: a two-fold look with fabric pulled together 3-4 inches down from the top. This forms a ‘V’ shape above and below the tack point.
3. Triple Pleat: a three-fold look with fabric pulled together 3-4 inches down from the top. The folds fan out from the top and bottom with fabric flowing down underneath. This popular style forms a ‘W’ and creates a pretty, customized look.

The Euro Pleat or Inverted Pleat Style

A Euro pleat header style has fabric that gathers in folds and sits at the top of the drapery, perhaps half an inch down. The folds open down so the fabric can freely flow from the structured pleats above.
4. Double Pleat Inverted: a two-fold look, sits a half inch down from the top.
5. Triple Pleat Inverted: a three-fold look, sits a half inch down, and forms a more formal look
6. Natural Euro Pleat: the folds of fabric are stitched together, a half inch down for a casual look

Other Pinch Pleat Varieties

7. Goblet Pleat: This unique look creates a structured pleat that looks like goblets at the top of the drape, also known as ‘cup-shaped’ pleats. The base is tacked together with pleats running down, and is considered more formal.
8. Relaxed Pleat/Box Pleat: This beautiful fold is rounded along the front with stitching on the back, inside, and away from view. Known as a ‘relaxed pleat,’ the folds flow downward with a more unstructured, casual appearance at the window
9. Tuxedo Pleat: a beautiful pleat style with folds that are structured, stitched into place at the back of the header, away from view, creating a beautiful look all the way down

Modern vs. Traditional Look

Pinch pleat drapery never goes out of style or fashion, but some looks come across as more modern while others look traditional. It depends on fabric choice, header style, and other design elements added to the drape that change the look.

With many variations from modern to farmhouse, traditional to everything in between, pinch pleats create many styles. The header is the accent piece at the top of the window, but it is not the only design element, as there are fabric choices, colors, textures, and overall aesthetics to consider.

Hardware and accessories for pinch pleat drapery complete the look and bring it together with the rest of the room’s design and decor. You may consider layering drapery with shades for added protection, aesthetics, and design elements.

Why Choose Pinch Pleat Draperies?

Not only does this style offer a lot of variety, from header styles on down to the fabric choices, but there are also two ways to present them at the window we want to show you. These styles are unique and interesting with their own point of view as window coverings.

Ripple Fold Draperies

Draperies known for consistency across the fabric may use a ripple fold look. This is where the draperies glide across the track simply and elegantly. It may blend into the wall or ceiling, which gives it a modern style. Without seeing the hardware, the drapes give the appearance of floating at the window.

Grommet Draperies

This style includes metal rings embedded in the header itself, with the drapery rod woven through and across the top. Adjustment is simple and easy with these drapes. Grommets are a more casual look and can be coordinated with the fabric of your choice and design elements in the fabric itself to create a tailored look at the window.

Motorized Pinch Pleat Drapery

A beautiful addition to your windows may include Hunter Douglas PowerView® automation of window treatments. Pinch pleat drapery can be moved with motorization from app to remote to smart home controls; there is no stopping these drapes. They can be shifted to adjust for light control and privacy any time, day or night, simply by using the technology available.

Ready for Pinch Pleat Drapery?

If you are ready to install these in your home, we are happy to assist you. Our showroom has many options to see in person, or an expert from A Shade Above can come to your home to discuss all the options. Call today to schedule an in-home consultation where we will measure, see your windows, and talk about what we can do to help bring your home window covering desires to life.