🪞 Pinch Pleat Curtain Fabric Calculator
Calculate exact fabric yardage for pinch pleat curtains — including fullness, hems, header tape & pattern repeats
| Finished Panel Width | Double Pleat | Triple Pleat | Pleat Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 in (61 cm) | 4–5 pleats | 3–4 pleats | 4–5 in |
| 30 in (76 cm) | 5–6 pleats | 4–5 pleats | 4–5 in |
| 36 in (91 cm) | 6–7 pleats | 5–6 pleats | 4–5 in |
| 48 in (122 cm) | 7–9 pleats | 6–7 pleats | 4–6 in |
| 60 in (152 cm) | 9–11 pleats | 7–9 pleats | 4–6 in |
| Curtain Drop | Cut Length (incl. hems) | Cuts from 54 in fabric | Metric Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63 in sill | 75 in | 1 cut = 2.08 yd | 160 cm |
| 72 in floor | 84 in | 1 cut = 2.33 yd | 183 cm |
| 84 in standard | 96 in | 1 cut = 2.67 yd | 213 cm |
| 90 in tall | 102 in | 1 cut = 2.83 yd | 229 cm |
| 96 in grand | 108 in | 1 cut = 3.00 yd | 244 cm |
| 108 in tall | 120 in | 1 cut = 3.33 yd | 274 cm |
| Window Size | Panels | Fabric (2.0x) | Fabric (2.5x) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36" W x 84" L Bedroom | 2 | 5.5 yd | 6.5 yd |
| 48" W x 84" L Bedroom | 2 | 7.0 yd | 8.5 yd |
| 60" W x 84" L Living Room | 2 | 8.5 yd | 10.5 yd |
| 72" W x 96" L Dining Room | 2 | 11.0 yd | 13.5 yd |
| 96" W x 84" L Patio Door | 2 | 13.5 yd | 17.0 yd |
| 120" W x 108" L Grand | 4 | 24.0 yd | 30.0 yd |
Pinch Pleat Curtain gets its name from the process of folding and pinching of the Fabric in extra parts up at every bit. Like this one gets bigger volume at the Curtain itself. If you extend a flat Curtain until its whole width it simply shows almost flat.
The common types of Pinch Pleat store either two or three folds, that sometimes one calls double or triple options.
How to Make and Use Pinch Pleat Curtains
Triple Pinch Pleat works for rich and fancy looks. It well suits to formal spaces at home, for instance in rooms or dining rooms. That style goes well with some parts of home setup, as wooden ceiling beams.
Double Pinch Pleat offers another nice choice.
Pinch Pleat Curtains need extra amounts of Fabric, so they cost more than other kinds of Curtains. Also they are more time-taking to prepare. For a ratio of 2.5 to 1 full covering on a 100-inch wide pole, you need around 250 inches of Fabric.
Usually one uses the rule of thumb: always plan 2.5 tiems the length of the pole for triple Pinch Pleat. For a smoother and pure modern style, 1.5 times the width of the space is enough.
One prepares Pinch Pleat Curtains by means of 4-inch buckram, that is stiff Fabric placed in every fold. It gives the covering memory, sew that it opens and closes always the same. Because of that they work very simply in everyday use.
But here is something cool: most IKEA Curtains already have sewn pleat tape up. Just add the pleat hooks and hang them. No pinching is needed.
IKEA Curtains have loops all 6 inches, that can serve as a base to form Pinch Pleat. That method can cost only 25 dollars each panel, what is much cheaper than high-end types, that reach around 1,000 dollars for only two windows.
Home-made Pinch Pleat coverings can use almost any type of Fabric. Tape with hooks are everything what must be there. After forming the folds, one lays curtain hooks behind the panel.
Later one hangs the bits, measures the length, unfolds them and sticks the edgetape to get the right length.
Pinch Pleat Curtains need a flat pole and pins placed in the folds, so that the hooks go above the pole. Rings with clips work, if the Curtains lack pleat tape. One can also undo Pinch Pleat, because it usually only is pinched.
Curtains change easily, even without sewing tools. To make folds right, start up and gather thembetween every finger, later pull them down until the floor.
