Pencil Pleat Curtains

What are pencil pleat curtains?

Pencil pleat curtains feature a header tape with three woven strings threaded throughout. When you pull the strings in the header, the curtain fabric gathers along the top forming vertical lines that resemble pencils. This style is more typically associated with a traditional décor, however we have a huge range of designs to comfortably fit a more modern vibe. To fit these curtains onto a curtain pole, you simply thread hooks through small woven pockets on the reverse of the header tape that can either be hooked directly onto a curtain track or combined with curtain rings to hang them from a curtain pole.

These curtains are very popular for their versatility, as not only can they be used on tracks or poles, you can pull the header in a way that forms the right kind of gather for your desired look. You can pull the cords in the header for a tighter bunched gather or spread the gather out for a slightly more relaxed look. Top tip: Before pulling the cords in the header tape, you can tie off one end of the cords to make it easier to pull from the other side and not worry as much about the cords being pulled into the header tape. Also be sure that you are happy with the curtains in terms of style and size before pulling the cords, as once pulled, they cannot be returned unless faulty. For more help, we have an expert how to hang curtains guide that provides an easy to follow step-by-step process for perfectly hanging your curtains.

With over 500 pencil pleat styles available, many in an array of colours, it is easy to find a pair of curtains that fits your look. Most of our curtains feature at least a regular lining to bring added weight and shape to how the curtains hang, hundreds of curtains in our range also feature blackout and thermal linings to help manage light reduction and room temperatures.

What’s the difference between eyelet and pencil pleat curtains?

Eyelet and pencil pleat are the most popular heading types for curtains in our range and each has its own benefits with neither being typically better than the other. Eyelet curtains are a popular choice for more modern homes with their flowing wavy look, while pencil pleat curtains have a more traditional feel thanks to the gathered pleated header. Pinch pleat headers are also available as part of our made to measure curtains range which offer a more premium and tailored finish compared to standard pencil pleat headings.

Pencil pleat curtains can be hung from either a track or a pole, giving you more flexibility than eyelet curtains which are pole-only. They also offer more control over the header allowing you to adjust the gather for a tighter or more relaxed look depending on your preference.

How to measure for pencil pleat curtains

We offer pencil pleat ready made curtains in a wide range of sizes to fit the majority of windows, but we know choosing the perfect size can be tricky. That’s why we have created an expert how to measure curtains guide that walks you through the process and helps you pick the right size for your window.

Why choose Dunelm curtains?

Dunelm has over four decades of experience and an extensive network of suppliers, mostly based here in the UK, who we work with to bring you the best value, customer favourites and a constantly evolving range of styles.

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