The pleat at the top of a drape, called the heading, decides how the fabric folds, how much room it takes when open and how formal the room feels. It is one of the first things Layla asks about, because the same fabric can look relaxed or tailored depending on the pleat.
Pinch pleat (French pleat)
Fabric gathered into groups of two or three folds, stitched at the top. Pinch pleats give full, even folds and a classic, tailored look. They suit traditional living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms, and they work in almost any fabric.
Inverted pleat
The folds are turned to the back, so the front shows a flat, clean face. Inverted pleats feel tailored but quieter than pinch pleats, which makes them a favorite in transitional and modern homes.
Goblet pleat
Each pleat is shaped into a small cup at the top. Goblet pleats are formal and decorative, best for stationary panels in formal rooms where the drapery frames the window rather than opening every day.
Ripplefold
Fabric hangs in soft, continuous S-shaped waves on a special track. Ripplefold looks modern and stacks compactly, and it is the style most often used with motorized drapery tracks. Ask us which fabrics and tracks are available for it.
Grommet, rod pocket and tab top
These casual headings slide directly on a rod. They are simpler and more relaxed, and they suit family rooms, kids' rooms and cottages. They are less suited to drapery you open and close often, or to very heavy fabrics.
How to choose
- Formal rooms: pinch or goblet pleats.
- Transitional and modern: inverted pleat or ripplefold.
- Drapery you open every day: pinch pleat or ripplefold on a quality traverse rod or track.
- Tight space beside the window: ripplefold or inverted pleats, which stack more compactly.