French Curtain

5 Curtain Header Options

While curtains have always remained a preferred choice for home decoration, the varying designs and types of curtains available intrigue many. There are so many varieties, shapes, colours and sizes that one can easily get confused. However, there are some styles that transcend the differences in cuts and styles.

Curtain headers play the crucial role in supporting the whole drape. There are various techniques and styles of making these curtain headers. Following are top five header options that are in vogue and look equally good for all types of fabrics and curtain types.

Standard header

This type of curtain header is the most common and almost two-thirds of people prefer it for its simple design. The header consist of one inch tape that is sewn together to make a sharp and thin header. It does give a narrow look, but the curtain remains strong and can be easily hanged on a curtain rod. Standard header is good for all curtain types whether they are of strong cotton fabric or a softer net curtain.

Pencil pleat header

Pencil pleats are used in the absence of a valance. They are also used when there is no possibility of adding a pelmet. As the name suggests, pencil pleats does not look thick or overbearing. They are small and narrow in shape and can be used to arrange larger pieces of clothes into curtains – as big as three times the size of a door or window.

French pleat

French pleat is an extension of pencil pleats, but with some modified features. First, it is used for extremely heavy fabrics like velvet. The heavy fabric makes it an almost impossible task to have a nice and folded draping if one goes for the standard pleats. Pencil pleats do improve the situation, but still are unable to support the heavy weight of a curtain. Only French pleat, with its comprehensive design, can help a heavy curtain to be easily draped with regular folds and nice features.

Slot pleat

Slot pleat is another type of curtain header that does not require a lot of maneuvering. The basic concept behind slot pleats is to pass the hanging pole through it with an ease. The curtains are then draped over any window or door and bear a simple look. Slot pleats are created in the curtain by cutting slots through a casing of header tapes to make space for the hanging rod. A little amount of curtain can be placed over these slot pleats to give a more beautiful look.

Cartridge pleat

Cartridge pleat is introduced into a curtain by inserting tissue papers or a small piece of polyester at the upper portion of the pleat. This way, the curtain retains its shape for longer periods and looks very stern. Cartridge pleating is used extensively in those places that see many guests, like guest rooms or drawing rooms. However, the more formal looking cartridge pleats are not recommended for living rooms and other casual places.

About the Author

Sarah K Howarth is a fashion designer. Make your home unique and stylish with modern curtains and now you can buy curtains at lowest prices.

How To Use 4-Prong Drapery Hooks to Create French Pleats

New Set 4 Fat French Chef Quilted Place Mats Placemats $18.99 Set of 4 quilted placemats with fat French chef design. Safe to wash in the washing machine. 100% Cotton. Approximate Dimensions: Length: 19″, Width:13″ each….

Ellis Curtain Palmer Floral Toile 50-Inch-by-84-Inch Tailored Panel with Tieback, Red $30.19 Palmer Floral Toile Drape Panel with Tieback—Add some French inspiration to your décor with the Palmer Medium Scale Monochromatic Floral Toile Pattern. The beautifully designed pattern and cheery colors are set on a neutral/tan background making them a perfect addition to coordinate within your decorating ensemble. Made with 100% cotton creates a smooth draping effect and softer texture th…

The Periodic Table of Elements Magnets $11.95 What is the order of the elements? Do you know the atomic mass of mercury? Is sodium a metal? Cooking is a science so why not bring science right to your kitchen with these clever magnets? Don’t just sit and wait for the water to boil when you can learn from your refrigerator door! These Periodic Table Magnets are fun, educational, and can be used wherever you please! Size: 7.4″ x 10.5″ (Sheet)…

Obscured By Clouds $13.28 No Description Available.Genre: Popular MusicMedia Format: Compact DiskRating: Release Date: 23-AUG-1988…

Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier $22.41 After the tonality-stretching dissonance of Salome and especially Elektra, Richard Strauss moved onto a different musical path with his next opera. The epic grandeur of Der Rosenkavalier stems not just from its immense length (over three hours) but from the all-too-human complexity of its characters–each of whom is smitten with someone else–and the endless stream of graceful melodies the co…

Iron Maiden: Flight 666 – The Film [Blu-ray] $24.99 FLIGHT 666 documents the first leg of Maiden’s legendary SOMEWHERE BACK IN TIME WORLD TOUR which took them 50,000 miles round the planet playing 23 concerts on five continents in just 45 days. One of the stars of the movie is the band’s customized Boeing 757, Ed Force One, which carried the band, all their crew and 12 tons of stage equipment and was piloted by Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson, a fu…

The Final Curtain [VHS] …

Bug Off Instant Screen, 32-Inch by 80-Inch $34.95 No more screens left open. No more slamming screen doors. Use everywhere, even in apartment and condos where standard screens are not allowed. 32 in. Fits standard back doors 31 in. – 33 in. Wide 78 in. – 80 in. Tall…

NEW! Bug Off Instant Screen Door with Magnetic Closure for a Single or Sliding Door 36. Width Fits doorways 35-37 $47.45 Patented design keeps bugs out. Lets fresh air in. Installs in minutes. No tools. No hassle. No damage to your door frame. It’s so easy, just about everyone can install a Bug Off Instant Screen Door. High quality, attractive and durable. Works on all doors – Single doors and sliders. Provides magnetic hands-free entry and exit for you, your children, guests and pets. Walk through with your han…

Redi Shade 1616204 Original Pleated White Paper Shade 36-by-72-Inch, 6-Pack $23.22 …