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Drapery Pleat Styles

Aug 9, 2019 | By: Kristen Stevenson

There are SO many different drapery pleats!

Click the play button below to watch our latest video and discover some of our most popular styles... PLEATS and thank you!

Picking the right pleat style can make ALL the difference in the design for your client's home.

While there isn't necessarily a "right" or "wrong" pleat...

Certain pleat styles are better for certain situations than others!

This photo provides a visual guide to various drapery pleat styles, categorizing them into groups such as three prong pleats, two prong pleats, and inverted pleat styles.

Our drapery pleat header samples feature ten of our most popular pleat styles!

Let's talk about what makes each pleat special and unique. Starting off with these first three...

This photo highlights the pinch pleat, a classic drapery style characterized by three folds gathered together at the base of the header to create a tailored, fan-like appearance.

the Pinch Pleat

This photo highlights the top tacked pleat, a variation of the three-prong pleat style where the folds are stitched together at the very top of the drapery header.

Top Tacked

This photo highlights the mid pleat, a variation of the three-prong pleat style where the folds are stitched together at the middle of the drapery header.

and the Mid Pleat!

You can see how these first three pleats styles have THREE LAYERS of folded fabric. Hence, they are called THREE PRONG PLEATS, but the difference lies in where they are tacked.

Gathering fabric for a pleat adds FULLNESS to your drapery. Additional fullness requires more fabric to be gathered and tacked down, adding body to your drapery!

This photo displays a collection of three prong pleat styles, including the pinch pleat, top tacked, and mid pleat varieties.

Three prong pleats

This photo highlights the two prong top tacked pleat, which is a variation of the two prong pleat family where the folds are stitched together at the very top of the drapery header.

vs. Two Prong Pleats

This photo highlights the Inverted Duchess Pleat, a unique and beautiful drapery style that offers a sophisticated alternative to more common three-prong or two-prong pleats.

Lastly, we have the Inverted Duchess Pleat

Next to the Mid Pleat style, we have the Two Prong Top Tacked drapery pleat. Two prong pleats have less FULLNESS than a three prong pleat, requiring less fabric, and are considered a more modern take on the traditional three prong pleated drapery style.

The last pleat style next to the two prong pleat style is called the Inverted Duchess Pleat, which isn't used quite as often as the previous four pleat styles mentioned, but, have very beautiful look!

Don't hesitate to try a new pleat style you've never used before!

Moving along to the second pleat sample in our set...

This photo highlights the Goblet Pleat, a decorative drapery style where the fabric is gathered into a rounded, cup-like shape at the top of the header.

The Goblet Pleat is tacked along the base,

This photo highlights the cartridge pleat, a contemporary and tailored drapery style defined by its smooth, cylindrical folds that run seamlessly from the header into the main body of the fabric.

while the Cartridge Pleat is not.

This image serves as a visual guide for drapery pleat styles, demonstrating different sewing techniques used to create decorative headings for draperies.

Butterfly Pleat

The Goblet and Cartridge Pleats are formed with a stiff material rolled and placed in the top opening of the pleat. The difference between these two, is  the Goblet Pleat is tacked at the base, while the Cartridge Pleat is not.

The Butterfly Pleat is another THREE PRONG pleat, similar to the Pinch Pleat style, however the outer two prongs are tacked down on either side.

These first three pleats are a great choice for stationary side panels.

Inverted Pleat Styles

Inverted Box Pleat

Inverted Pinch Pleat

The Inverted Pleat style is very sleek and modern. See how these last two pleats look similar along the front.

The differences between these two inverted pleats style are found on the back! Find those illustrated in our video at the very top of this blog post. But most importantly, the Inverted Box Pleat is best for stationary panels, while the Inverted Pinch Pleat can be used for traversing panels that will open and close.

Pleat Sample Set 1

Pleat Sample Set 2

Browse more Draperies in our DRAPERIES GALLERY
Tailored, floor-length drapery in a neutral oatmeal or grey tone frames the doors. The pleat style appears to be a structured cartridge or pinch pleat, similar to the styles discussed in the previous guide.

photo & design by Sharon Gatt (Ethan Allen-Cary, NC)

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