Euro Double Pinch Pleat Curtains & Window Drapes: A Complete Guide

 

If you’re looking for made-to-measure drapes with an architectural finish for your contemporary-styled home, you’ll find your soulmate in Euro double pinch pleat curtains. These modern avatars of the classical pinch pleat drapery offer the same splendour and sumptuousness but with modern refinement.

Unlike off-the-shelf drapery which offers no scope for personalisation, The White Window’s Euro double pinch pleat drapes are all about true bespoke glamour. With the honesty of human labour and time-tested craftsmanship, our Euro double pinch pleat drapes come to your home with timeless curated elegance.

But, besides their telling beauty, modern undertones and couture charm, Euro double pinch pleats drapes are loved for several other reasons. Discover their brilliance and functional aptitude as we dive deeper into this nuanced style of pinch pleat drapery.

What are Euro Double Pinch Pleats?

 

 

The highlight feature of Euro double pinch pleats drapery is the pre-stitched pleats on its header. Each pleat in this drapery appears like an inverted ‘V’ as it is formed with two fabric folds pinched at the top of the buckram. 

The continuous flow of the fabric from the topmost point of the drapery to the bottom makes it almost resemble a waterfall. Besides, their even spacing ensures an opulent fullness that is uniformly distributed. This accords a sumptuous look, especially when designed with statement fabrics like silks and velvets. 

Euro double pinch pleat curtains make great window dressings for transitional design styles that are a tasteful mix of traditional and modern themes. They are also preferred in contemporary design styles that lean on sculptural and textural refinement. 

 

SHOP NOW: CUSTOM SILK DRAPES FROM THE WHITE WINDOW

What are the Reasons to Choose Euro Double Pinch Pleat Curtains?

 

 

While some curtain heading styles can either look too traditional and embellished or too modern and minimal, Euro double pinch pleat curtains explore the middle ground. Besides that, there are many reasons to love them more:

UNIFORM GATHER: As the pleats are pre-stitched at uniform intervals, the fullness of these drapes is evenly distributed. That refined finish makes them just perfect for formal and semi-formal spaces. However, since the pleats are not too elaborate like the goblet pleats or triple pinch pleats, they also go well for casual spaces.

FUNCTIONAL EASE: Since these drapes hang on rings, they glide easily on the pole, making them great candidates for frequently used windows. 

COMPATIBILITY: With their ability to hang on both tracks and poles, Euro double pinch pleat drapes are compatible with most hardware set ups. So, if you’re shopping for curtains to hang on pre-installed hardware, you can be relieved that these drapes will not require any new investment in hardware.

VERSATILITY: Owing to their architectural appeal but minimally constructed pleats, Euro double pinch pleat drapery syncs in with several decor styles ranging from ornate classical maximalism to contemporary streamlined minimalism. However, since there are more elaborate styles of drapery better suited to traditional dressy interiors, Euro double pleat drapes are more commonly seen in transitional and modern homes.

What are the Factors to Consider When Shopping for Euro Double Pinch Pleat Curtains?

 

 

Euro double pinch pleat curtains offer refined elegance and impressive functionality. They bestow a dressed-up feel on the space in elegant classical fashion but with a modern streamlined edge. When considering this elegant heading style for your home, factor in the following aspects so that they may offer their best performance:

FORMAL/SEMI-FORMAL SPACES OF CONTEMPORARY & TRANSITIONAL HOMES: The tailored appeal of Euro double pinch pleat drapes is an asset to formal rooms. But their chic and crisp construction makes them fit for semi-formal spaces too. Their aesthetic language is in sync with modern and transitional decor styles that look for streamlined beauty and classical elegance. So, if your decor leans towards contemporary or transitional styles, Euro double pinch pleats are on point. But if your decor style is more ornate and traditional, you may find more suitable alternatives in the triple pinch pleats, goblet pleats and double pinch pleats.

ADDS VISUAL INTEREST TO PLAIN FABRICS: When dressing your windows with plain drapes, Euro double pleat header adds a subtle but noticeable element of visual interest. If not for its sauve pleats, monochrome, plain drapery could run the risk of coming across as oversimplified.

PRECISION IN MEASUREMENTS: As is true of all pinch pleat drapes, the header of the Euro pleated drapes has a ‘fixed’ width. This aspect ensures that the sumptuous fullness of the drapery is evenly distributed across the panel. However, the width is not flexible; it cannot be adjusted to satisfy varied levels of coverage as is possible with rod pockets or grommet tops that are ‘hand gathered’ to form pleats. 

Hence, the width that is specified in the order should cover the span of the drapery pole. Otherwise, the drapes will leave the window partially uncovered. So, be precise with the measurements so that you get the perfect-fit drapes that you aim for with made-to-measure drapes.

STACKING ROOM: Fixed headers and sumptuous fullness translate into more stacking room. So, extend the drapery pole/track on both sides of the window sufficiently enough to host the stackback.

What are the Hardware Options for Euro Double Pinch Pleat Curtains?

 

 

Euro double pinch pleat drapes are a very versatile style of drapery that is compatible with both tracks and poles. Accordingly, you may need to invest in appropriate hardware accessories such as drapery pins and eyelet rings for poles and drapery hooks for tracks.

How are Euro Double Pinch Pleat Curtains Measured?

 

 

The math behind placing orders for Euro double pinch pleat drapery is quite simple. Here’s how you go about it:

 

HOW TO MEASURE LENGTH

 

 

If you're mounting your Euro pinch pleat drapes from a decorative pole with rings, and would like the show-worthy hardware to be visible, start measuring length from just below the curtain ring, up to the desired end point.

If mounting from a track, most clients prefer to hide the hardware. In this case, we recommend measuring length from the top of the track to the desired endpoint. 

You may choose your drapery to stop at the window sill, or at a recommended length of 10-15cm below the window sill, or even better, as the stylists tout, go for floor-length or puddled drapes that match the tailored look of the style. 

Ultimately, the curtain fall length comes down to the taste of each client. While any pinch pleat is best donned in long lengths, one may choose other endpoints based on the space available, or personal preferences. 

 

HOW TO MEASURE WIDTH

 

 

As mentioned earlier, Euro pinch pleat curtains have ‘fixed pleats’ that are stitched in and cannot be adjusted, therefore, specifying panel widths accurately is quite important. And depending on the kind of hardware you have in place or plan to purchase, the end widths of your panels may vary slightly.

The three key hardware options are: curtain tracks, standard drapery poles, and French return drapery poles. Let's go over steps to measure drapery panel widths taking into account each of these hardware options:

CURTAIN TRACKS/ STANDARD DRAPERY POLES: Start by measuring the length of your track or pole (finial to finial). Then based on whether you're planning to mount a pair of curtains or one single panel to drape the track/pole, follow the sizing guidance below:

For a single panel of Euro pinch pleat drapery, add 10cm to the measured length of your pole/track to reach the final width of your drapery panel. This extra 10cm is to ensure a safe margin for full coverage of the pole. For a 100cm pole/track, for example, we advise final panel width of 110cm for a single drapery panel. 

If ordering a pair of curtains for the same curtain track/pole, add 20cm to the length of pole/track. Then halve this total measurement to reach the final width of each drapery panel. The extra width of 20cm ensures sufficient panel width for curtains to sufficiently overlap when drawn together, thereby preventing any light leaks in the middle.

To explain with an example, if your curtain track/pole measures 100cm, add 20cm to this measure, reaching 120cm. Based on guidance above, the final width of each of your drapery panels should be (100+20) ÷ 2 = 60cm each.  

FRENCH RETURN DRAPERY POLES: Also known as wraparound curtain poles, French return drapery poles feature curved or angled ends. Drapery mounted on this style of poles seals the gap between the wall and the pole, thereby eliminating light leaks from the edges.

For French return poles, the panel measurements need to factor in extra width to cover the returns, which typically are 10cm on each side.

Start by measuring the pole end to end, including the returns on both ends. Then, follow the sizing guidance offered above for tracks/standard poles, taking into account whether you're mounting a single panel or a pair to cover your pole. 

Bonus Tip: In case you have drapery tracks/poles without returns, but would like to enjoy the clean designer look and light-blocking benefits offered by the French return drapery poles, we highly recommend the hook and eye hack. 

While we hope that with the above instructions, you will be able to measure up your required drapery width with ease, in case there’s a hiccup along the tape, be assured you'll find us just an email away to assist you!

How to Hang Euro Double Pinch Pleat Curtains & Drapes? 

 

 

Pinch pleat curtains can be hung on both tracks and poles using drapery pins. While we recommend using only show-worthy poles for goblet pleats or French pinch pleats, Euro pinch pleats can grace both tracks or drapery poles with equal splendour.

So, regardless of the hardware you use, below is our step-by-step guide to hang Euro double pinch pleat curtains: 

STEP 1: On the backside of your pinch pleat curtains, you’ll find a 10cm heading tape sewn at the top. Our tape features three different pin insertion points, offering three ‘levels’ to insert drapery pins. This provides the flexibility of being able to choose the exact height you’d like your drapes to sit. Choose the level that you’d like to use for the best possible height/look for your drapery, while factoring in if you’d like your track/pole to be visible or hidden. 

STEP 2: Start inserting drapery pins along the entire length of the tape, aiming for one drapery pin behind every ‘pinch’, by simply pushing the pointy end of the pin through the tape. Ensure that the pins are inserted securely and evenly spaced across the width of the curtain.

STEP 3: Once all the drapery pins are inserted in the heading tape, hook the curved end of the pin into the eyelet of the drapery ring, clip, or track carrier. Ensure that each pin is firmly secured in the hardware to prevent any slipping or sagging of the curtains. And that’s it!

In Closing

 

 

Euro double pinch pleat is a unique heading style that offers the classical aesthetics of pinch pleat drapery with a nuanced modern touch. Capable of dressing up any space with sophistication and class, Euro double pleat curtains and drapes are for those who love subtle embellishments and impressive functional efficiency. If this style has piqued your interest, dive into the most interesting part - the designing and shopping of your drapes. Explore the wide range of curtains online at The White Window where delicious hues, rich textures and attractive patterns await you. Happy shopping!