Curtain Headings Style Guide

Styles Notes: For a relaxed, laid back setting, this is a modern and less formal heading. Suitable for all fabrics but ideal for light curtains. Often used for unlined voiles or sheer curtains that are rarely opened or decorative drapes that are rarely closed as tab tops may not glide along the rod easily. A visually impactful style when used with traditional timber poles. A rod with decorative finials enhances this treatment. Back tab curtains can also be part of an elegant window dressing when used under a valance or pelmet.

Loops of fabric material are sewn at the back on top of the curtain at regular intervals. The curtains hang from these tabs hidden on the back by feeding the rod through the loops. When you slip the rod through the back tabs, the upper edge of the curtain covers the rod. This style gives a seamless look, top to bottom, that can fit any decor, from modern to traditional. When open, the tabs create pleats that have a nice drape, but aren’t too formal.

Like grommet tops, tab tops can’t run past the pole support brackets, so may not be suitable as very wide curtains.

Styles Notes: Full, formal & elegant, double pinch pleat drapes create an elegant tailored look. Because of the depth of the pleat, this style suits a long curtain and a bold pattern or sumptuous material like velvet. Double pinch pleat curtains carry the same attractive uniform finish to curtains as triple pleat pinch drapes but with only two pinches in every pleat.

Pleats are created by making folded creases in the stiff buckram and pinched together from the top of the drape, like a V shape, that then flow down in a tailored fashion. Hooks are then inserted directly into the back of the heading, typically using the pin and hook mechanism.

As pinch pleat is a ‘fixed’ heading (the pleats are sewn by hand to a fixed heading and cannot be loosened), it is important to provide an accurate track/pole width when ordering pinch pleats. This will allow us to gather your curtains to the correct width.

Styles Notes: Luxury meets functionality, tradition meets modernity in our euro pinch pleat curtains. Euro double pinch pleats are very much like the traditional double pinch pleats except that the pleats are pinched and secured at the top hem of the curtain. The top-gathered pleats create a waterfall effect for a pared down, updated take on the classic pleat that’s perfect for classic and modern rooms alike. This style is a bit less formal and comparatively more relaxed than the traditional pinch pleat drapes.

Euro double pinch pleats give the same attractive uniform finish to curtains as the euro triple pinch pleat curtains with only two pinches in every pleat. Pleats are created by making folded creases in the stiff buckram and pinched together at the top hem of the drape, like an inverted V shape, that then flow down in a tailored fashion. Hooks are then inserted directly into the back of the heading typically using the pin and hook mechanism.

As pinch pleat is a ‘fixed’ heading (the pleats are sewn by hand to a fixed heading and cannot be loosened), it is important to provide an accurate track/pole width when ordering pinch pleats. This will allow us to gather your curtains to the correct width.

Styles Notes: Luxury meets functionality, tradition meets modernity in our euro pinch pleat drapes. Euro triple pinch pleats are very much like the traditional triple pinch pleat drapes except that the pleats are pinched and secured at the top hem of the curtain. The top-gathered pleats create a waterfall effect for a pared down, updated take on the classic pleat that’s perfect for classic and modern rooms alike. This style is less formal and comparatively more relaxed than the traditional pleats.

Euro triple pinch pleats give the same attractive uniform finish to curtains as the euro double pinch pleat curtains with three inches in every pleat.

Fabric is gathered delicately into three little folds and then pinched together to create one pleat. The pinched pleats are spaced evenly apart, typically at gap of 3-4 inches. This creates a tailored look at the top, and as the fabric drops down toward the floor, the pleats control the fullness allowing the drape to fall smoothly and evenly. Hooks are inserted directly into the back of the heading typically using the pin and hook mechanism.

As pinch pleat is a ‘fixed’ heading (the pleats are sewn by hand to a fixed heading and cannot be loosened), it is important to provide an accurate track/pole width when ordering pinch pleats. This will allow us to gather your curtains to the correct width.

Styles Notes: Probably the most minimalist drapery on offer, flat panel top curtains are simply drapery panels hemmed on all four sides with a heading tape sewn on top in the back.

The ‘interest’ factor for this style lies not in how these are constructed but in how they are mounted on a track or pole. Flat panels can be either hung with drapery pins and rings typically using the pin and hook mechanism, or with curtain clips and hooks. Both mechanisms allow for easy functionality and gentle round pleats. Fullness/pleat density is determined by how closely the pins or hooks are placed on the top edge.

Smacking of chic minimalism, these are an extremely popular choice for contemporary spaces – especially in apartments and smaller houses.

Styles Notes: Possibly the most traditional and formal heading style on offer. Creates a sumptuous statement and works well with heavier, opulent fabrics. Especially suitable for curtains with long drop. A nice option for grand buildings or a lofty period property.

Goblet pinch pleat drapes have a strip of stiffener sewn into the heading, which is pleated at the base to create a goblet-shaped design. Goblets are placed at equal intervals and are consistent within a pair of curtains.

Just like other pinch pleats, this is a ‘fixed’ heading (the pleats are sewn by hand to a fixed heading and cannot be loosened), so it is important to provide an accurate track/pole width when ordering goblet pleats. This will allow us to gather your curtains to the correct width.

Not recommended for smaller windows as these curtains need more room to stack back at the side of the window than contemporary styles.

Style Notes: Stylish, contemporary and unfussy, grommet curtains are a great choice for an up-to-date, minimalist look. Suitable for all fabrics and a popular choice for striped and symmetrical fabric patterns.

Grommet curtains have even number of eyelets regularly spaced across the width. Very easy to hang as the big eyelet rings slide straight on the drapery pole. The curtains hang in wide, loose folds, and stack back fully and neatly, so offer a good option if you have little space to the side of your window.

May not be suitable for very wide curtains as they cannot run past the pole support brackets.

Styles Notes: A modern stylish heading for a full and sumptuous look. Formal yet laid back. Works especially well in a masculine decor setting. Better suited to wide windows as the curtains need more room to stack back at the side of the window.

Inverted pleat curtains have a single pleat at the back, sometimes called a box pleat, placed at even intervals along the top. Fabric is folded into pleats on the front and on the back, creating flat, boxy folds.

Since this is a ‘fixed’ heading (the pleats are sewn by hand, made to a fixed width that cannot be loosened), it is important to provide an accurate track/pole width when ordering inverted pleats. This will allow us to gather your curtains to the correct width.

Style Notes: A popular and classic style for a casual and relaxed setting. A smarter alternative to other traditional styles.

Each curtain has small folds at the top that are gathered closely together to resemble a row of pencils laid side by side. They are created by pulling the cords on the heading tape at back and winding them around a cord tidy to keep the pleats in place. Pencil pleats offer a highly adjustable option as cords can be pulled to achieve the desired gather and curtain width.

Styles Notes: A simple and versatile curtain heading that can be gathered to suit a range of track widths. A three inch pocket is sewn across the top of the curtain panel through which the curtain rod is inserted. Length of rod pocket is included in curtain length.

Stunning on a tall window and a popular choice for plain and semi-plain fabrics. Best used for decorative drapes that are not shut often as these may not glide along the rod easily.

Styles Notes: A simple and versatile curtain heading that can be gathered to suit a range of track widths. Best used for decorative drapes that are not shut often as these may not glide along the rod easily.

A pocket is sewn across the top of the curtain panel through which the curtain rod is inserted, and a 1.5 inch ‘header’ is sewn on top. The header ruches above the pole giving the drapery a slighly more feminine and country look. Length of rod pocket and header frill is included in curtain length.

A popular choice for kitchen cafe curtains.

Styles Notes: For a relaxed, laid back setting, this is a modern and less formal heading. Suitable for all fabrics but ideal for light curtains. Often used for sheers and unlined drapes that are rarely opened or decorative drapes that are rarely closed as tab tops may not glide along the rod easily. A visually impactful style when used with traditional timber poles.

Loops of fabric material are sewn to the top of the curtain at regular intervals. The curtain rod is fed through the loops. The tabs are made from the same fabric as the curtains and are included in the total curtain length.

Like grommet tops, tab tops can’t run past the pole support brackets, so may not be suitable as very wide curtains.

Styles Notes: For a relaxed, laid back setting, this simple and versatile curtain heading can be gathered to suit a range of pole widths. Suitable for all fabrics but ideal for light curtains. Often used for sheers and lightweight drapes that are rarely opened or decorative drapes that are rarely closed as tie tops may not glide along the rod easily. A visually impactful style when used with traditional timber poles.

Narrow tie-strings of fabric material are sewn to the top of the curtain at regular intervals. The strings are tied around the curtain pole to hang the panels. The tie-tops are made from the same fabric as the curtains and are *not* included in the total curtain length specified in your order with us.

Like grommet tops, tie tops can’t run past the pole support brackets, so may not be suitable as very wide curtains.

Styles Notes: Classic, formal and elegant. Made the same way as double pinch pleats but the added third pinch makes these curtains very full, plush and luxurious. Because of the depth of the pleat, this heading suits a long curtain and a bold pattern or sumptuous material like velvet. A great addition to any traditional or elegant styled space since it offers a dramatic, yet timeless look.

Fabric is gathered delicately into three little folds and then pinched together to create one pleat. The pinched pleats are spaced evenly apart creating a tailored look at the top, and as the fabric drops down toward the floor, the pleats control the fullness allowing the drape to fall smoothly and evenly.

As pinch pleat is a ‘fixed’ heading (the pleats are sewn by hand to a fixed heading and cannot be loosened), it is important to provide an accurate track/pole width when ordering pinch pleats. This will allow us to gather your curtains to the correct width.