Eyelet curtains are a popular choice for window dressings because they can give your room that classic, vintage feel. However, if you want the look of pencilled pleats on your eyelet curtain, it may be hard to find the right type of fabric. Hence you may need to learn how to alter eyelet curtains to pencil pleat.
Luckily, there are many ways to make this difference in style happen. You can use tucks or tucks and gathers to create the illusion of pencil pleats. Here are some handy tricks to make this difference happen with ease.
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Decide to do tucks or gathers
The first thing you will need to do is decide if you want to do tucks or gathers. Pencil pleats are made by gathering fabric when the curtain is sewn together. If you want to do this, it can’t be done when the fabric is cut, so measure your eyelet curtains before choosing which method to use.
If you’re going for a more seamless look, a tuck will work well. The pencilled pleats will be created by folding the material in half and sewing them up along the side seams. This gives the illusion of a pencil pleat without any extra effort from your part.
The next step is figuring out how deep your folds should be. This depends on your desired length of your curtains after they have been cut and sewn together. For example, if you want to have a 1″ fold depth, then measure from 1″ from the edge of the fabric and fold over another inch before sewing it up with a straight stitch on either side of the hemline.
You can also add a decorative edge to your curtains by making something called a “bias binding.” This type of edge is created using strips of fabric that are cut on an angle off. This is a creative way of how to alter eyelet curtains to pencil pleat.
Use a double needle for gathering
A double needle is a sewing tool that will create gathers or tucks in fabric. Gathers are simple to do on your own. To do this, you’ll need to fold the fabric with right sides together and sew it together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. You can then turn the fabric so that the wrong side of the fabric is now on the top. This will be best for making tucks on muslin, tulle, or voile fabrics which are mostly see-through materials.
The next step is to gather up some of the loose ends by pulling them through your fingers until they’re about one inch long. The last step is to use a double needle to pull these threads through the gathered area of material, starting from one end and working your way down towards the other end of the fold line until you’ve reached it.
This process is most effective when using lightweight fabrics like muslin which are about 90% cotton, 10% polyester; tulle, which is nylon; or voile which is made of 100% cotton.
All about the fabric
The first step to creating the look of pencil pleats is finding fabric with a texture that mimics this style. You want the fabric to have a crisp, hard surface that will hold up well through multiple washings. This typically means using cotton or linen.
If you are just looking for an easier way, you can also use iron-on hem tape to mimic this style. This can be used on any type of fabric and does not require sewing skills.
Selecting your fabric
The first thing to do is select your fabric. Pencil pleats are a fun detail for eyelet curtains. If you want to add this detail, then you’ll need a heavier weight fabric that will hold the pleats.
If you don’t want pencil pleats, then select a lighter weight fabric for your curtain. This will give the curtain a more casual feel.
You can use any type of fabric from cotton, linen, or silk to create your eyelet curtains. Just keep in mind the difference in weight and durability between fabrics when deciding on what type of material to use.
Preparing your fabric
First, cut your fabric to the correct dimensions. To create tucks, you will need the fabric to be about twice as long as it is wide. To create gathers, measure the fabric so it is three times wider than it is tall.
Next, make a single fold along one of the shorter edges of your fabric. Then, make two more folds in the same direction.
The next step is to make vertical cuts along your folds until you have reached the end of your fabric. The number of cuts depends on how deep you want the pleats to be.
Now that you are finished cutting your fabric, you can use this knowledge to create that classic look with ease.
Gathering
You can use either gathering or tucking to create the appearance of pleats on your eyelet curtains. Gathering is best for small panels, while tucking works better with larger panels.
Gathering fabric
To gather fabric, start by placing it in the center of your sewing machine. Sew around the edge to hold it in place. Then, use a needle and thread to sew an X through the top layer of your fabric. Pull one end of the thread up to create gathers, then tie it off with a knot. Repeat this process until you get the desired look for your curtain.
Tucking fabric
To get that classic ”pleated” look, you can tuck fabric into itself before sewing it down. Begin by making folds at 1/4 inch intervals all around the edge of your fabric (sew each fold). Then, line up two sides and pin them together before sewing them together 1/2 inch from the edge to secure them in place. Unfold one side and repeat these steps on this side as well with pins and a safety pin before sewing them together again 1/2 inch from the edge. Use safety pins as needed to keep everything tucked in place as you work your way around the
Related Article: How to Fix Curtains That Have Shrunk
Creating the illusion of pencil pleats with tucks and gathers
One way to create the pencil pleats is to use a twin needle. Sew a line of straight stitches, about ½ inch apart, going from one edge of the curtain to the other. Then sew a second row of stitches in an “X” shape above and below each straight stitch.
You’ll then need to gather the fabric with binder clips or pins at regular intervals along the thread lines you’ve sewn. This will create that cool textured look on the front of your curtain while keeping it flat on the back. A very convenient way of How to Alter Eyelet Curtains to Pencil Pleat.
Another way to create this illusion is with tucks. Fold your fabric over at one end of your tape measure (or ruler) and make sure there’s about 1 ½ inches between folds. This makes it easier for you to fold and pin these folds over evenly at regular intervals, creating pencilled pleat-like folds on your curtains without actually needing any pleats!
# The right fabric can make all the difference
If you want that vintage quality, eyelet curtains are great choice—but only if they’re made out of that special kind of fabric! Eyelet curtains are typically made out of cotton or linen, which will allow for more surface area on your curtain rod than more modern fabrics
Tucks to recreate pencilled pleats
-Instructions:
Measure your fabric and fold it in half. Put a pin on the top of the fold. Draw a line from the pins to create two lines of tucks on each side. Make sure each tuck is an inch deep. Sew the tucks with a straight stitch, going over them twice for durability.
-Result:
You now have a beautiful, vintage-looking eyelet curtain. This is an easy way of how to alter eyelet Curtains to Pencil Pleat.
Gathers to recreate pencilled pleats
The first option is to use gathers. This is a simple method that will create the illusion of pencil pleats on your eyelet curtains.
1) Decide how many rows of gathers you want to make on your curtain. You’ll need to keep in mind how wide your fabric is and how long you want the curtain to be.
2) Gather the fabric together, one row at a time. The gathering should be about an inch wide and spaced 1-2 inches apart from each other.
3) Pin the gathers together with straight pins or large safety pins, then gather them up into a loop that hangs from the rod above the window.
4) Sew across the gathered loops with matching thread and a straight stitch, securing it in place for a clean finish.
5) Hang your curtains up! When open, they will look like pencil pleats were drawn onto them with graphite or lead pencils.
How to tighten pencil pleat curtains
1. Cut the curtain to the desired width, and gather around the hem for a 4″ gather.
2. Pin in place and stitch around the edge of the gathered fabric.
3. Snip off excess fabric at corners, and turn inside out.
4. Sew a gathering stitch from corner to corner about 1/8″ from the edge of the fabric. Then gather by pulling gently on both ends of thread until you have just the desired amount pulled in, then tie off threads so it’s secure.
Now you have your eyelet curtains with pencil pleats! This method is quick and easy to do, so you can change them out whenever you want.
How to Alter Eyelet Curtains to Pencil Pleat FAQS
What fabric types can be used to create the look of a pencil pleat on a curtain?
Cotton is a popular choice for most eyelet curtains. But, you can also use wool or other fabrics with a tight weave.
What should I do if my fabric type doesn’t have enough drape?
You could loosely gather the fabric before you attach it to the rod, creating more drape in the finished product.
How can I create tucks and gathers to mimic pencil pleats?
The easiest way to tuck and gather is by hand sewing or using an overlock stitch machine on your sewing machine to sew tucks into the fabric’s edge all around the bottom hemline of your curtain panel. Gathers are created by gathering about 1/8″ to 1/4″ of fabric at each point where you would like to create a tuck (this will take some practice). Pull up on both sides of the gathered section until it’s about 2 inches tall, pin it together, and then stitch down the top edge of the gathered section with an overlock stitch or zipper foot (you may need to fold under one end of your gathered section first.
Conclusion
Whether you want to increase the size of your window or you just want a new look, altering your eyelet curtains is an easy and inexpensive way to update your room. And the best part is that it can be done in just a few steps with just a few tools.
Just ask yourself these four questions:
1. Do you want to do tucks or gathers?
2. What fabric should you use?
3. How much fabric should you need?
4. Do you need any additional supplies?
Once you’ve answered those four questions, you’ll be ready to know and practice how to alter Eyelet Curtains to Pencil to make them fit your space.
