Quck answer
To hang drapery hooks on rod pocket curtains, follow these steps:
1. Prepare the curtains: Start by ironing or steaming your curtains to remove any wrinkles and ensure they hang properly.
2. Choose the right hooks: Select drapery hooks that are suitable for your curtain rod and the weight of your curtains. There are various types of hooks available, such as pinch pleat hooks or S-hooks.
3. Measure and mark: Determine the desired height for your curtains and use a measuring tape to mark the positions where you will insert the hooks. Make sure the marks are evenly spaced.
4. Insert the hooks: Starting from one end of the curtain, insert the hooks into the back of the rod pocket, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Continue until all hooks are in place.
5. Hang the curtains: Finally, slide the curtain rod through the hooks and hang it in your desired location. Adjust the curtains as needed for proper draping.
By following these steps, you can easily hang drapery hooks on rod pocket curtains and achieve a stylish and functional window treatment.
If you want to turn your simple rod pocket curtains into more elaborate drapery styles, you can easily do so by adding drapery hooks. Since the rod pocket is internal, the curtain panel is essentially a simple panel rectangle, making the conversion process simpler and easier. Here’s how you can transform your curtains into pleated drapes using drapery hooks.
Things You’ll Need
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Tape measure
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Gathering pleat tape
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Scissors
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Pins
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Sewing machine
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Needle
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Heavy-duty thread
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Safety pin
Hanging Drapery Hooks on Rod Pocket Curtains
Step 1: Measure the Window
Start by measuring the width of your window. To create a header to use with drapery hooks, you need to use pleat tape or gathering pleat tape. You can also stiffen the fabric with buckram header, which is an interfacing material sold at fabric stores. Your total curtain width should be calculated based on your finished pleat, using generally two to four pleated panels that are at least 2 to 2 1/2 times the width of the window.
Step 2: Sew Curtain Panels Together
Use an online pleat calculator to determine the width of the flat panel you need for the finished width of pleated drape. Sew panels together along the side to create the necessary width.
Step 3: Cut the Pleat Tape to Size
Place your premade curtain panel face down on the work table. Measure across the top of the panel and cut the pleat tape to the width of your curtain panel. Gathering pleat tapes have cording to assist in creating the pleating style you have selected for your draperies.
Step 4: Pin the Pleat Tape
Pin the pleat tape 1/2 inch from the top edge of the curtain. Turn the ends under 1/2 inch for a nice end finish. The pleat tape should be drapery loop side out. Some pleat tapes have pockets for the drapery hooks; don’t sew over the ends of the pockets.
Step 5: Sew the Pleat Tape
Sew the pleat tape to the curtain panel starting at the top left side. Sew your seam from left to right, above the pockets and cords; then sew additional seams from left to right. Sew vertical seams to top-stitch the ends to the panel, sewing over the cords on the left side and pulling the cords loose on the right side before sewing the end of the pleat tape down.
Step 6: Gather the Pleats
Pull on the cords on the right side while sliding the curtain toward your left. Gather the curtain in the pleating design you have chosen. Tie off the ends of your cords together when you reach the correct width you need for your window. Loop the ends of the cords and pin them to the back top of the curtain with a safety pin.
Step 7: Adjust the Pleats
Turn the drapery right side up. If you are using a pinch pleat design, adjust the gathering so you have three pleats gathered together followed by a space. Straighten out your pleats to remove any twisted fabric. Pinch the three pleats together at the bottom of the pleat tape.
Step 8: Secure the Pleats
Using a needle and thread, sew a tack stitch through the three pleats. Repeat this step for each set of pleats. If you are working on a goblet pleat design, stuff tissue paper into the top of the pleat after sewing your tack stitch.
Step 9: Install the First Drapery Hook
Flip the drapery over to the face down position. Insert the drapery hook into the center of the pleat or gathered set. The hook point should be facing upwards while the hook should be facing downwards.
Step 10: Affix to the Curtain Rod
Hold the drapery up to the curtain rod and insert the first hook into a plastic slide. While supporting the fabric, let the edge drop to check if you need to adjust the hook’s positioning. The bottom edge of the fabric should lightly brush the top of the floor.
Step 11: Hang the Panel
Adjust the hook’s placement so that the fabric length is correct. Measure and match the hook placement for all remaining pleated set areas to ensure that the drapery panels will hang level. Finally, hang the panels on the curtain rod.