What was once the mainstay of window coverings in the early 50’s has evolved into an enormous evolution of design collections with imaginative and creative designs. Drapes have different types of headings, drapes with pleats were and still are installed on a standard or decorative traverse rod. You open this rod by a cord which can be put on the left or right depending on what is right for your rooms furniture plan. With the cord you can move the panels to open and close them from the center, which is called “center draw”. Then the other thing you can do is have a “one way draw”. How does this work, the drapes run along the rod which has a cord and plastic hooks, which hold the drapery hook, installed to the back to the drapes, thus this rod and the drapes work together with the pull cord. A traverse rod will show if there is no valence so a more decorative choice is a decorative drape rod, this could have pulley to traverse or no string and just a pole with rings that you move with your hand or a 30” long wand that hangs so you can move the drapes manually. This works very well on metal rods if you use this on wood poles which could be painted or done in a faux the rings moving along the pole will damage the paint finish. You have many options in drapery pleats today they include classic and traditional styles.
Pinch Pleat: This traditional pleat, which has been replaced by newer styles, is done with the fabric folded into three shallow pleats and tacked at the base. One panel has five pleats; Crinoline (a 4 inch band of stiffener) stitched inside the heading keeps the pleats crisp. If you don’t like the look of pleats consider combining the pleated drape with a valence or cornice that conceals the drape.
French Pleat: Although it formed like a pinch pleat, French pleats feature softer, less defined folds.
Goblet Pleat: This is perhaps the most formal and sophisticated of all the pleat styles, a goblet pleat is formed by tucking or cinching the loop or fabric at the base, rather, than folding it, forming a cylinder. Crinoline in the heading maintains the shape of the pleats. Panels with goblet pleats are not, technically speaking; draperies because they must be stationary opening them would crush the pleats.
Pencil Pleat: This pleat is done with a very small pleat and is achieved with the pleating tape
Sewn to the back of the panel at the upper edge. Cords inside the tape allow you to gather the heading into narrow, uniform pleats.
Butterfly Pleat: Also known as a two finger pleat, this style features tow folds rather than three. A butterfly pleat uses less fabric and is considered more casual than a pinch pleat.
Box Pleat: This is a deep, inverted pleat, which is another style that’s suitable only for stationary panels or valences, not traversing drapes. Because they require firm support, box pleated panels must be attached to a board.
Ask your interior designer to show you catalogs such as Kirsch or Graber or designer rod companies to help you choose the rod that is best for your new drapes.
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