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Pencil & Cottage Pleat Curtains
Pencil Pleat
Pencil pleat curtains have a soft informal look making them a popular choice for bedrooms or cottage interiors. Pencil pleat curtains work equally well on poles or tracks and by setting the heading tape down slightly (a maximum of 5 cm) an attractive ‘ruffle’ can be created at the top of the curtain.
Tinsmiths pencil pleat curtains are calculated using at least twice the fullness to prevent the pleats becoming uneven over time.
For most curtains we make our pencil pleat curtains using a 7.5 cm heading tape which has at least 3 ‘pockets’ for adjusting the hook position (and length of curtain) up to 4cm. For curtains over 240cm long a 12.5 cm pencil pleat tape is an option, this gives many more ‘pockets’ for possible hook positions and is a better proportion for very long curtains.
Cottage Pleat
Cottage pleat curtains have a pretty ruffle at the top of the gathered curtain heading; it lends itself perfectly to the quintessential cottage interior.
Like Pencil Pleats, Tinsmiths Cottage Pleat curtains are calculated using at least twice the fullness to prevent the pleats becoming uneven over time.
Cottage Pleat heading is achieved using a 2.5 cm tape set down 6cm, this tape has just one position for the hooks allowing no adjustment to the length. This heading is not suitable for large or heavy curtains.
Measuring
With curtain poles already in place
We Require
- A. the pole/track width excluding finials
- B. the length from the eye of the curtain ring or slider to where you would like the bottom of the curtain to be – ‘hook to hem’ measurement.
- C. the distance from the eye of the curtain ring or slider to where you would like the curtain top to be – ‘hook to top’ measurement (for Cottage Pleat this will be 6cm)
- D. the finished length, that is B+C = D
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
steps 1 & 2
Preparation
1. Measure your curtain pole/track divide your answer by 2 & add 10cm.
Example: pole/track length is 160cm / 2 = 80cm, 80cm + 10cm = 90cm.
2. Your curtains will have the tape strings loose on one side. Pull these to gather up the heading until you reach the required width. In the case of the example above you would want the curtain to be 90cm when gathered up.
step 3
Hang up your Curtains
When you have reached the required width secure the strings with a slip knot or a knot which you are confident that you can undo (curtains are much easier to clean, move or store in their flat state), then tuck the spare string into the little bag just beneath the tape.
step 4
Minor Adjustments
Even out the pleats across the width of the curtain & then put the hooks provided into the heading tape – 1 hook per 10cm (4″) is a rough guide starting 5cm (2″) approx from each side. We generally advise that you put the hooks into the top pocket but with 7.5cm (3”) tape, the other pockets can be used if preferred or if the curtains hang a shade too long.
Tinsmiths Tips & Tricks
In sunny rooms, swap the curtains from one side to the other every couple of years. By changing the curtains side the edge which is exposed to strong sunlight will change and the effect of the sun on the edge of the curtains will be evened out and less noticeable.
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’.
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 Pencil/Cottage Pleat Curtains
Width of Pole
Drop (length of curtain)
| 130cm | 200cm | 270cm | 340cm | 410cm | 470cm | 540cm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Drops | 3 Drops | 4 Drops | 5 Drops | 6 Drops | 7 Drops | 8 Drops | |
| 135cm | £195 | £291 | £369 | £453 | £556 | £625 | £711 |
| 170cm | £210 | £312 | £398 | £495 | £597 | £654 | £758 |
| 200cm | £219 | £329 | £410 | £525 | £625 | £705 | £798 |
| 240cm | £239 | £349 | £441 | £564 | £695 | £754 | £844 |
| 270cm | £249 | £365 | £462 | £592 | £710 | £784 | POA |
| 310cm | £269 | £389 | £497 | £631 | £746 | POA | POA |
| 350cm | £283 | £399 | £525 | £669 | POA | POA | POA |
135cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm–£195
200cm–£291
270cm–£369
340cm–£453
410cm–£556
470cm–£625
540cm–£711
170cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm–£210
200cm–£312
270cm–£398
340cm–£495
410cm–£597
470cm–£654
540cm–£758
200cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm–£219
200cm–£329
270cm–£410
340cm–£525
410cm–£625
470cm–£705
540cm–£798
240cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm–£239
200cm–£349
270cm–£441
340cm–£564
410cm–£695
470cm–£754
540cm–£844
270cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm–£249
200cm–£365
270cm–£462
340cm–£592
410cm–£710
470cm–£784
540cm–POA
310cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm–£269
200cm–£389
270cm–£497
340cm–£631
410cm–£746
470cm–POA
540cm–POA
350cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm–£283
200cm–£399
270cm–£525
340cm–£669
410cm–POA
470cm–POA
540cm–POA
Lined & Interlined Pencil/Cottage Pleat Curtains
Width of Pole
Drop (length of curtain)
| 130cm | 200cm | 270cm | 340cm | 410cm | 470cm | 540cm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Drops | 3 Drops | 4 Drops | 5 Drops | 6 Drops | 7 Drops | 8 Drops | |
| 135cm | £220 | £333 | £444 | £545 | £658 | £765 | £860 |
| 170cm | £237 | £357 | £478 | £585 | £695 | £802 | £906 |
| 200cm | £259 | £379 | £509 | £624 | £732 | £838 | £952 |
| 240cm | £271 | £409 | £549 | £680 | £768 | £874 | £998 |
| 270cm | £309 | £432 | £569 | £740 | £795 | POA | POA |
| 310cm | £309 | £463 | £615 | £810 | POA | POA | POA |
| 350cm | £332 | £502 | £653 | POA | POA | POA | POA |
135cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm– £220
200cm–£333
270cm–£444
340cm–£545
410cm–£658
470cm–£765
540cm–£860
170cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm–£237
200cm–£357
270cm–£478
340cm–£585
410cm–£695
470cm–£802
540cm–£906
200cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm– £259
200cm–£379
270cm–£509
340cm–£624
410cm–£732
470cm–£838
540cm–£952
240cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm–£271
200cm–£409
270cm–£549
340cm–£680
410cm–£768
470cm–£874
540cm–£998
270cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm–£309
200cm–£432
270cm–£569
340cm–£740
410cm–£795
470cm–POA
540cm–POA
310cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm–£309
200cm–£463
270cm–£615
340cm–£810
410cm–POA
470cm–POA
540cm–POA
350cm Drop (length of curtain)
Width of Pole
130cm–£332
200cm–£502
270cm–£653
340cm–POA
410cm–POA
470cm–POA
540cm–POA