A pleat is a small section of fabric at the panel heading that has been folded and sewn in place to create fullness.
Our unique pleated styles will give you the custom drapery look to fit your decor.
Avoid the pared down and plain look of ready-made (bought off-the-shelf) pleated draperies.
Pleats are available in a variety of drapery types, drapery styles or drapery panel styles.
- Pleats create uniform proportion and spacing at the panel heading
- Pleats allow the smooth operation of the drapery panel while opening and closing on hardware
- Pleats create a smaller, cleaner stack back then other types of headings.
- Pleats provide uniformly spaced draping.
- Fullness of the panel can be manipulated by adjusting the size of the pleats, the spacing between pleats, and the number of folds in each pleat.
- When using fabrics with large patters or repeats, take into consideration how the pattern will be affected by the pleat.
View our array of drapery pleating styles below or complete the form on the right for a free, no obligation consultation with one of our interior designers who can help you determine what pleating style is right for your home decor.
Drapery Pleating Styles
Double Pinch Pleat
Euro Pleat
Four-Finger Pinch Pleat
Goblet Pleat
Five-Finger Pinch Pleat
Fan Pleat
Butterfly Pleat
Double Track Pleat
Bell Pleat
Swagged Fan Pleat
Cartridge Pleat
Knife Pleat
Inverted Box Pleat
Top-Tacked French Pleat
Box Pleat
Pencil Pleat
Box Pleat Heading Shirred Panel
Accordion Pleat
Single Diamond Smocked Pleat
Ruched Cuff
Triple Diamond Smocked Pleat
Wired Flounce
Shirred Cuff
Raised Track Pleat
Cupped Pleat
Heading: Formal Stiffened
Fullness: 2.5-3.0
Formal Heading
Traditional heading stiffened with buckram or crinoline.
Informal Heading
No buckram or stiffener is used in the heading.
Tack Pleated Heading
The heading between pleats is tack pleated down, creating a set of horizontal pleats.
Scalloped Heading
The sections of the heading between pleats are cut in a scalloped shape.
Embellished Heading
Use decorative trim to highlight the pleat point of the heading.
Flagged Heading
Flags are integrated into a soft heading between pleats.
Raised Double Heading
A border heading is placed behind the main panel heading and they are pleated together as one piece.
Necktie Heading
A necktie flounce is attached to the main panel at the pleat and it is pleated together as one piece.
Laced Scarf Heading
A fabric scarf is threaded through buttonholes between the pleats.
Closed Goblet Pleat
The pleat section of the panel is extended and tied close at each pleat.
Raised Scalloped Double Heading
A stright border heading is placed behind the main scalloped panel heading. They are pleated together.
Goblet Pleats with Knotted Ties
Contrasting ties are threaded through buttonholes in the panel at the pleat base.
Open-Throat Goblet Pleat
The front of the goblet has a cutout section to expose the lined interior of the goblet.
Ruffled Insert with Goblet Pleats
A ruffle is insert in the panel at the pleat base before pleating.
Tuxedo Goblet Pleat
The front of the goblet is split and folded back to expose the contrast lining of the interior.
Tuxedo Box Pleat
The throat of the box pleat is folded back and tacked or pressed in place.
Rosebud Goblet Pleat
The heading has a raised border. The goblet is short and has an open throat. The upper goblet is stuffed.
Inverted Box Pleat With Buttons
Buttons embellish the face of the panel at the pleat.
Tuxedo Pleats with Buttons
Open tuxedo pleats with contrast lining and interlining are trimmed with buttons.
Flag-top Box Pleat
The box pleat has an integrated flag in the heading that is folded over the top of the panel.
Flat-top Box Pleat
The box pleat has an integrated scalloped tab in the heading that is folded over the top of the panel
Euro Pleats with Swagged Heading
Pleated swags are place between each pleat at the heading.
Cuffed Cartrige Pleat
The box pleat has an integrated scalloped tab in the heading that is folded over the top of the panel.
Ruched Cartridge Pleats
Pleated swags are placed between each pleat at the heading.
Double Cuffed Heading
The heading has a double valance pleated together as one piece.
Double Pleats with Scalloped Heading
Group pleats together for an interesting heading.
Pinch Pleats With Fanned Flags
Tripple-point flags are added to the top of the heading before pleating to create gathered fans.
Tripple Pinch—French Pleat
X Pleat
Pleating styles and illustration used with permission from:
The Design Directory of Window Treatments by Jackie Von Tobel
Published by Gibbs Smith
Contact us today for any additional questions you may have on any of the different style of drapes available. Or fill out the form to the right to set up your free in-home consultation with one of our trusted interior designers.