Explore our elegant collection of made to measure pencil pleat curtains, featuring a classic gathered heading that brings timeless sophistication to any room. Crafted to your exact specifications, these curtains offer a beautiful drape and flexible hanging options for both tracks and poles.
Pencil pleat curtains are a timeless favorite in British homes, recognized by the tight, uniform gathered folds along the heading that resemble a row of pencils. This classic style offers a traditional, elegant look that coordinates beautifully with both period properties and contemporary interiors. Our made to measure pencil pleat curtains are tailored to your exact window width and drop, ensuring a perfect gather and a generous, luxurious drape.
The secret to the popularity of pencil pleat is its versatility. The heading tape features three rows of pockets, allowing you to adjust the hanging height of your curtains to hide your track or sit perfectly beneath your pole. The gather can also be tightened or loosened slightly during installation, giving you minor flexibility with the finished width of your panels.
We offer pencil pleat headings across our entire range of premium fabrics, from lightweight linens that diffuse the light to heavy, opulent velvets and structured cottons. You can customize your curtains with standard, thermal, or blackout linings to achieve the ideal balance of light control, privacy, and insulation for your space.
FAQs
What is a pencil pleat heading?
A pencil pleat heading consists of tightly gathered folds of fabric that run continuously across the top of the curtain. This classic look is created using a specialized heading tape with cords that are pulled to gather the fabric to your desired width.
Can pencil pleat curtains be hung on both poles and tracks?
Yes. Pencil pleat curtains are highly versatile and can be hung on either a curtain track or a curtain pole with rings. You simply insert curtain hooks into the heading tape pockets and hang them from the track gliders or pole rings.
How do I measure for pencil pleat curtains?
To measure for pencil pleat curtains, measure the total width of your track or pole, and then measure the drop from the top of the track or bottom of the pole rings to where you want the curtains to finish. Follow our guide on product pages to learn how to measure.
Can I get pencil pleat curtains with blackout lining?
Yes. You can select blackout lining for any of our pencil pleat curtains. This is a popular choice for bedrooms, combining the elegant, gathered traditional look of the pencil pleat heading with high performance light exclusion.
Are pencil pleat curtains suitable for modern homes?
Yes. While they have a traditional heritage, pencil pleat curtains can look highly contemporary when crafted in modern minimalist fabrics like plain linens or geometric prints, especially when paired with a sleek, modern curtain track.
Can you make pencil pleat curtains for large windows?
Yes. Our made to measure service can handle very wide windows. We professionally join fabric widths with neat, matched seams that sit hidden within the gathered folds of the pencil pleat heading, ensuring a flawless finish across any width.
What is the difference between pencil pleat and pinch pleat?
Pencil pleat features continuous small gathered folds created by pulling cords in a heading tape. Pinch pleat curtains have permanent, decorative fabric folds stitched into the heading at regular intervals, creating a more structured, formal look.
How are pencil pleat curtains gathered?
The heading incorporates cords that are drawn to create the characteristic narrow pleats. The gathers are distributed across the heading to produce an even appearance before the curtain is hung using the appropriate hooks.
United Kingdom
