DIY pinch pleats are the easiest way to have the look of pinch pleats without lots of work because there is no sewing involved!
I made the curtains for my daughter’s room using my own blackout curtain tutorial using pink silk fabric and wanted them to have pinch pleats but I wanted to cheat and make them the easy way. Using only curtain rings and clips, I’ve made my own pinch pleats.
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(For the silk curtains I made, I bought the pink silk taffeta fabric from a local fabric store but this pink silk fabric is very similar and these are similar to the types of curtain rings with clips I used)
First, I used double the amount of curtain rings/clips that you would normally use. For each panel, I used 15 rings with clips.
(To give you an idea of how many curtains rings you’ll need, the width of the curtain rod was 70″ and I used 30 curtain rings in total.)
Starting at one end, I would pinch the fabric together and clip it from the back then leaving a few inches of space between clips, I would grab some more fabric together and pinch it with the clip.
Because you are working from the back, it’s a bit difficult to describe, but once you start, you’ll get the hang of it.
In this photo below, I’ve clipped the second to last clip on and you can see how much fabric is left for the last clip.
I love how they turned out! They are not perfect but I love them even more that they are a bit bunchy and cost hardly anything but the clips to put in!
This is the first time I’ve sewn with silk and I wasn’t sure how they would fair with the blackout lining but I’m impressed that they turned out so well.
It’s on my To Do list to create a PDF sewing download of my blackout curtain tutorial soon.
I hope you try making your own pinch pleats now that you know they are super easy and don’t require any sewing!
Click in Case You Missed:
Sew Blackout Lining to Store Bought Curtains
How to Sew Curtains with Blackout Lining
Mary says
August 10, 2018 at 4:48 pmOnce you see it it’s so easy! Thanks for the smart idea.
Jamie says
August 14, 2018 at 11:07 pmYes! Thanks Mary 😉
Hugs, Jamie
Cathryn says
August 11, 2018 at 11:30 amThanks so much for this tip – it’s a great way to “help” my draperies hang in a much more uniform and stylish “pleat” using the drapery clips. My draperies are unhemmed upholstry fabric that I really love and I didn’t have to add lining. The edges of the widths of the fabric was already fringed, so they look “finished” with something special. The look after doing your diy is just what they needed to look more polished.
Thanks again!
Cathryn
Jamie says
August 14, 2018 at 11:08 pmCathryn,
I love your creativity with your curtains, they sound lovely! I’m sure this trick is just what they need.
Hugs, Jamie
LINDA says
August 15, 2018 at 9:37 pmVERY INFORMATIVE!! Thanks for showing how you made these pinch pleat drapes. They are beautiful! Pinned to my Pinterest Boards also. Thursday Favorite Things Hostess, Linda @Crafts a la mode
Jamie says
August 17, 2018 at 11:36 pmThank you so much, Linda!
Hugs, Jamie
Shirley says
August 20, 2018 at 6:42 amWe love your creativity! This post is a Feature at the Merry Monday party! Sharing on our channels.
Jamie says
August 26, 2018 at 4:56 pmWow, thank you so much, Shirley! I truly appreciate it.
Hugs, Jamie
Kippi says
August 20, 2018 at 8:01 pmPretty pink silk drapes. Happy Fall, Kippi
Jamie says
August 26, 2018 at 4:57 pmThanks so much, Kippi.
Hugs, Jamie