Pencil pleat curtains have a traditional heading tape sewn across the top that, when the cords are pulled, gathers the fabric into a series of tight, even pleats that resemble a row of pencils. They're one of the most versatile curtain headings as they work on both poles and tracks, making them a popular choice for traditional and contemporary interiors alike.
Pencil pleat curtains can be hung using hooks that slot into the pockets on the heading tape. If using a curtain pole, the hooks attach to curtain rings which slide along the pole. If using a track, the hooks slot directly into the track runners. Before hanging, pull the cords in the heading tape evenly until the curtain matches your required width, then tie off the cords neatly — don't cut them in case you need to adjust. Check out our full guide on how to hang pencil pleat curtains.
Pencil pleat curtains need more fabric than eyelet curtains to gather properly. As a rule, allow 2 to 2.5 times your pole or track width in total curtain width — so for a 150cm track, you'd want 300–375cm of curtain width across both panels. For drop, measure from the hook position at the top of your track or from the ring on your pole down to your chosen length. Check out our full guide on how to measure for pencil pleat curtains.
To gather pencil pleat curtains, locate the cords running through the back of the heading tape and pull them gently from one end while holding the fabric with the other hand. Work along the tape until the curtain is gathered to the correct width. Distribute the gathers evenly by hand so the pleats are uniform, then secure the cords by wrapping them in a figure of eight — don't cut them as you may need to ungather the curtains for washing.
