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Cartridge Pleat Curtains
Tinsmiths has developed this structured handmade heading to provide a smart more contemporary look which can showcase bold larger-scale prints.
Unlike traditional headings, Cartridge Pleats require 1.3-1.5x fabric fullness, meaning that curtains will hang flatter and neater, allowing the design of the fabric to shine through. This reduced fullness means that less fabric is required than any of the other headings offered, it also means that the look is cleaner and sleeker, and there is much less bulk when the curtains are open.
Cartridge pleat headings work best when hung from a pole rather than a track and the curtains are best when hanging below the pole.
Measuring
With curtain poles already in place
We Require
- the pole width excluding finials
- the length from the bottom of the pole to where you would like the curtain to finish with 1cm deducted – this will be the finished length of the curtain.
With curtain poles not in place
Cartridge Pleat curtains work best hung on curtain poles. We strongly advise that the curtain poles are in position before taking measurements. It is disappointing to have your curtains made up and then to realise that your pole cannot be fitted as originally planned. Factors like a weak patch of wall, a steel lintel, or hidden electrical wiring can all affect pole placement. By fitting the pole first, you ensure that your curtains are truly ‘Made to Measure’ and you can be assured of a perfect fit.
We recommend that the pole be 30 – 48 cm wider that the window (15-24 cm either side). If space is limited on one or both sides ‘recess’ brackets maximise the space available for the curtains and are available with all of our curtain poles.
We would recommend that the bottom of the pole is between 6 & 12 cm above the top of the window depending on the space available.
Tinsmith’s Advice
Looking for a quote or in need of some guidance?
Send us a message describing the project you’d like help with, along with a couple of photos, and we’ll get back to you with some ideas to help you.
Fitting your Curtains
step 1
Preparation
Your curtains will already have pin hooks in place; one on each pleat.
step 2
Hang up your Curtains
Hang your curtains up, removing any rings not required.
step 3
Minor Adjustments
The curtains should hang below the pole, minor adjustments to the length (up to approx.1-1.5cm either way) can be made by repositioning the curtain hooks – just make sure that when repining the pin hooks go through the ‘buckram’ (stiffening) in the curtain heading, the lining alone is not strong enough to hold the weight of the curtain nor do you want the pin showing on the curtain face.
Tinsmiths Tips & Tricks
If your pole or track is ‘sticky’ to pull get some silicone spray – spray it on a cloth and then rub all over the pole/track and the rings/sliders (‘Pledge’ furniture polish has quite a lot of silicone in it which makes it just as good for wooden poles if you have some in the cupboard – do spray it on a cloth first then rub over the pole). Traditional good quality Wax furniture polish is no good for this job as ultimately it makes the pole ‘sticky’.
If after a couple of years your curtains stop ‘stacking’ nicely as they did when they were new, just take a bit of time to arrange the pleats how you want them and then tie some bands of cloth or polythene around them, leave for a couple of days then untie & they should be retrained.
See our information page for curtain care instructions.
Price Guide
These prices exclude the cost of the fabric and include VAT. Drop refers to the length of the curtains
Lined Cartridge Pleat Curtains
Width of Pole
Drop (length of curtain)
| 180cm | 270cm | 380cm | 470cm | 570cm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Drops | 3 Drops | 4 Drops | 5 Drops | 6 Drops | |
| 135cm | £240 | £374 | £474 | £548 | £636 |
| 170cm | £266 | £394 | £510 | £578 | £676 |
| 200cm | £288 | £417 | £529 | £616 | £716 |
| 240cm | £292 | £439 | £557 | £646 | £755 |
| 270cm | £312 | £456 | £579 | £682 | £794 |
| 310cm | £338 | £480 | £616 | POA | POA |
| 350cm | £369 | £504 | £636 | POA | POA |
135cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm–£240
270cm–£374
380cm–£474
470cm–£548
570cm–£636
170cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm–£266
270cm–£394
380cm–£510
470cm–£578
570cm–£676
200cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm– £288
270cm–£417
380cm–£529
470cm–£616
570cm–£716
240cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm–£292
270cm–£439
380cm–£557
470cm–£646
570cm–£755
270cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm–£312
270cm–£456
380cm–£579
470cm–£682
570cm–£794
310cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm–£338
270cm–£480
380cm–£616
470cm–POA
570cm–POA
350cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm–£369
270cm–£504
380cm–£636
470cm–POA
570cm–POA
Lined & Interlined Cartridge Pleat Curtains
Width of Pole
Drop (length of curtain)
| 180cm | 270cm | 380cm | 470cm | 570cm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Drops | 3 Drops | 4 Drops | 5 Drops | 6 Drops | |
| 135cm | £290 | £434 | £580 | £695 | £855 |
| 170cm | £310 | £460 | £614 | £745 | £894 |
| 200cm | £320 | £488 | £640 | £785 | £935 |
| 240cm | £345 | £520 | £675 | £860 | £983 |
| 270cm | £379 | £546 | £715 | £895 | £1024 |
| 310cm | £395 | £580 | £745 | £965 | POA |
| 350cm | £420 | £615 | £790 | POA | POA |
135cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm–£290
270cm–£434
380cm–£580
470cm–£695
570cm–£855
170cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm–£310
270cm–£460
380cm–£614
470cm–£745
570cm–£894
200cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm–£320
270cm–£488
380cm–£640
470cm–£785
570cm–£935
240cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm–£345
270cm–£520
380cm–£675
470cm–£860
570cm–£983
270cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm–£379
270cm–£546
380cm–£715
470cm–£895
570cm–£1024
310cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm–£395
270cm–£580
380cm–£745
470cm–£965
570cm–POA
350cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
180cm–£420
270cm–£615
380cm–£790
470cm–POA
570cm–POA