Tips needed on hanging curtains please

WWM2.

I love the stylish look of a draped curtain. Apart from that, curtain fitting, hanging, measuring etc. bring out the vapours in me so sorry no help at all. I am not gifted in that department!

Nor me I’ve just come down and sat huffing and puffing. Off I go again to give it another go!

Ah yes its not easy so I changed to eyelet hole curtains on pole but that doesn't help you.

I used to have what is known a letting the curtains 'puddle' o the floor and it can be quiet nice unless of course the cat gets tangled up in it and you have to hold it out of the way when hoovering but probably better than having to shorten them. To set the pleats I used to count the number of hooks I had then space them out but basically a hook to every three 'slits'.

They are a fiddle (happy with fine venetians myself now) but there will be something here that helps. Bonne chance! www.google.com/search?q=pencil+pleat+curtains+how+to+hang+them&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB880GB880&sxsrf=AOaemvLSDOBrJZWXAs58G9Mdfaj3x3zmZA:1637496479282&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirnd_ftan0AhVMNOwKHYVZDjAQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1920&bih=937&dpr=1

I like tight pleats so go for one hook to two spaces. I put the hooks on, pull up the cord roughly to the width of the window and fan them out before hanging the curtains. With a bit of look they fit perfectly, otherwise they just need a bit of tidying up.

I only have curtains at two windows in this house, the rest have blinds. However, at the moment, those curtains are not up having been taken down when the house was decorated. I’m contemplating having plantation shutters fitted instead so am getting used to not having curtains. The old ones need replacing anyway!

Oh thanks. I thought I was the only one! Every 3 slits is a good tip. Have to order more eyes.

I shall now look at the link, whilst having another break. I have 2 up but not very satisfactory. I think they will look better when more hooks are done.

For the first time I am about to order curtains and get them professionally fitted. I recently had a pair dry cleaned and the effort of re- hanging them was considerable. Neck and shoulders ached and the curtains don’t look right.
Sorry I can’t help.

I have thought about plantation shutters, as I quite like the look of them, but I’m into as much installation as possible and when we pull all the curtains - they are all floor to ceiling except the bathrooms and kitchen the house warmth goes up quite a bit.

2 slits now then.?

Whitewavemark2

I have thought about plantation shutters, as I quite like the look of them, but I’m into as much installation as possible and when we pull all the curtains - they are all floor to ceiling except the bathrooms and kitchen the house warmth goes up quite a bit.

2 slits now then.?

I hadn’t thought about insulation, my bungalow is easy to keep warm since I had a new boiler so am not worried. But I should consider environmental concerns and do some research into heat loss and energy costs.

I don’t even close the blinds in the rooms on the back of my house as I’m not overlooked. In fact, I only close my bedroom blinds, the rest of the rooms have open windows! That’s awful, I must start shutting the blinds in the evenings!

Cabbie21

For the first time I am about to order curtains and get them professionally fitted. I recently had a pair dry cleaned and the effort of re- hanging them was considerable. Neck and shoulders ached and the curtains don’t look right.
Sorry I can’t help.

You won’t regret it?. If I can’t get them right I will, probably end up going to my curtain lady for help!

I’ve just watched the chap - thanks for that. He makes it look dead easy but some good tips. I’ll do it with the next two and if it works restart the other two I’ve already hung.

I’m going to be at it all day!

I bought some ready made bedroom curtains but they let in too much light so I bought separate blackout linings but can’t be bothered to hook them onto the curtains before installing them. Lesson learned. I had quotes for replacing other windows but was told to get the same quality would cost thousands. I know they were readymade many years ago so they must have been a bargain as I certainly wouldn’t have paid a lot. I’ve gone off the whole idea of recurtaining ?

I have just had Dunelm to measure, make and fit new curtains to my lounge (I’m not posh enough for a sitting room) I am delighted with them.
I had had the previous ones for over 20 years so felt I was ready for new ones.
I will slowly replace others but they will be eyelet ones on poles, so easy to fit once the poles are fitted.
I could not fit drawn up curtains with hooks any longer.

These are from Dunhelm. I think they have bought out Dorma.

For those interested I have also bought the dark green Genevieve bedspread to go with them.

Newal post a massive help. Good tip!

Tip: tie off the threads at BOTH ends, and fix one end round a door handle and then pull on the threads at the other end. It makes it much easier than trying to hold both ends; and also means you can get a clear view of the gathers and make them even.

My curtains do a puddle on the floor (didn't know it was called that) but I use matching tie-backs and sometimes hook them up to the wall on either side. Looks lovely either way.

I have always found curtains to be great insulators - even with double glazing the areas near to the windows are cooler. I make my curtains and use a thermal lining. Here in France we also have outside shutters so in the depths of winter I close those also - I push them together from the outside but don’t worry about locking them as need to open windows to do that!
I have made some curtains with rings but they are difficult to use if the fabric is very thick. However I find because of the poles the curtains are usually hanging further away from the window and a tad gappy at the sides - they are also no good with bay windows.
Dunelm sell tape for the ring headings and several colours of rings. The tape has little plastic bits on it which you link together in pairs and it gives lovely even pleats - but it does mean the curtains need to be a generous width and not at all skimpy.

Be generous with your hooks, curtain poles etc rarely come with enough rings and track often loose sliders. Use a cardboard template to get the spacing even on pinch pleats. Above all take your time and if you need to weigh the corners use coins or weights. Good luck you will be so proud of yourself when you have accomplished it

Blimey lots of good tips and obviously people with much greater skills than I have!,

Well they are all up one side looking better than the other as I did those after I read all the tips.

That’s it for the day as I’ve run out if steam, but will tackle them again once the eyes have arrived and try to get even pleating.

I’ll decide whether I like puddled ones (who knew?) or down to the ground ones once they are properly up.

Puddled is tempting for obvious reasons, but also all the cold is kept behind them.

Thank massively for all your posts. People are generous with their time and suggestions.

Puddled is tempting for obvious reasons, but also all the cold is kept behind them.

The downside though is if you draw them you sweep all the dust up and they get dirty ? Of course, that only happens in houses where floors may get dusty ?

I gave up on pleated headings altogether and just get eyelet curtains now. I have two pairs which puddle on the floor and my husband hates them with a vengeance.

I like the long looped metal curtain hooks. If the pencil pleats aren't perfect it drives me bonkers - so I pack them with backer rod.

Amberone, my bedroom ones were 'puddled' as I just couldn't be bothered to take them up.

Yes, they did get dusty and needed a vacuum when I did the floor. Still, when I washed them (being cotton velvet) they shrank a little - so I'm happy.