How to Hang Pencil Pleat Curtains
If you have bought ready made pencil pleat curtains or are thinking of doing so and feel unsure how to gather them, hook them, and hang them properly, this guide will walk you through it step by step.
Pencil pleat curtains are often one of the most economical options, and once you know the process, they are much easier to manage than many people expect.
Pencil pleat curtains do not need to be difficult
A lot of people avoid pencil pleat curtains because they think they will be fiddly or hard to get right.
In reality, once you understand the basic steps, they are quite straightforward. The main thing is to gather the curtain tape evenly, tie off the cords properly, and place the hooks in the correct pockets before hanging the curtains on the track.
This guide explains the process in a simple step-by-step way.
If pencil pleat has not worked well for you before
That does not necessarily mean curtains are the problem.
Often it is just that the process has not been clearly explained or shown properly.
If you have ever felt like pencil pleat curtains are fiddly or easy to get wrong, that is very common.
If that sounds familiar, this video should help.
Video Transcript: How to Hang Pencil Pleat Curtains
Hi, I’m Lee from ezecurtains.co.uk, and I’m going to show you how to gather, hook, and hang pencil pleat curtains.
Let’s take a look.
Step 1: Check and secure the cords
The first thing to do is check the cords at the ends of the curtain tape.
If you’re using ready made curtains, you’ll usually need to pull the cords out slightly and tie them in a simple knot at one end. This stops them pulling through when you gather the curtain.
If your curtains are made to measure, the ends may already be sewn and secured, but it’s still worth giving them a quick check before you start.
Step 2: Gather the curtain
Once one end is tied, you can start gathering the curtain.
Hold the knotted end and pull the curtain along the cords to bunch the fabric up evenly. It can help to hook the cords over something solid like a door handle or stair post so you can use both hands.
Keep gathering the curtain all the way along.
Step 3: Set the correct width
After gathering, measure the width of the curtain.
As a guide, it’s best to make the curtain slightly wider than your track. For example, if your track is 120cm wide, gather the curtain to around 130cm.
This extra width allows for a bit of spring back once the curtain is hanging, which helps stop it opening on its own.
Once you’ve got the width right, run your hand along the tape to even out the pleats so they look neat and consistent.
Step 4: Tie and tuck the cords
When you’re happy with the width, secure the loose cords.
You can either wrap them and tuck them into the end of the tape, or tie them in a simple slip knot so they can be released later if needed.
Then tuck the bundle neatly behind the curtain tape so it stays hidden.
Step 5: Insert the curtain hooks
Next, put in the curtain hooks ready for hanging.
On standard 3-inch pencil pleat tape, there are three rows of pockets. For most curtain tracks, use the middle pocket.
Start at one end and place a hook in the first pocket. Then miss three pockets and place the next hook into the fourth. Repeat this pattern all the way across the curtain.
Make sure you also have a hook at each end.
If the spacing isn’t perfect at the far end, that’s fine — a slightly smaller or larger gap won’t cause any issues.
Step 6: Hang the curtains
Now you’re ready to hang the curtain.
Attach each hook into the gliders on your curtain track, working your way along until the curtain is fully supported.
If you’re using a draw rod, you can attach that as well.
Using a draw rod
A draw rod isn’t essential, but it makes opening and closing the curtains much easier, especially with larger curtains.
Instead of pulling the fabric, you move the gliders along the track, which helps keep the curtains cleaner and reduces wear.
Final check
Once the curtains are up, close them fully and check how they sit.
If you have an overlap, make sure the curtains meet properly in the middle. This is especially useful for blackout curtains.
Also check that the pleats are sitting evenly along the top.
And that’s it — your pencil pleat curtains should now be gathered, hung, and ready to use.
Once you have seen the process step by step, it often feels much more manageable than people expect. Pencil pleat curtains are still one of the most economical options, and with the right setup, they can look great and work smoothly.
Common mistakes to avoid
If pencil pleat curtains have felt awkward in the past, it’s often down to one or two small things going wrong at the start.
Here are the most common issues I see, and how to avoid them.
Forgetting to tie the cords before gathering
This is probably the most common mistake.
If you start pulling the cords to gather the curtain without tying one end first, the cords can simply pull straight through the tape. That makes it very difficult to gather the curtain properly.
Always make sure the cords are securely tied at one end before you start gathering.
Not gathering the curtain to the correct width
A good way to get the right width is to:
- measure the total track width
- divide that measurement in half (for each curtain)
- then add around 10cm
This extra 10cm allows for a bit of “spring back” once the curtain is hanging, so the curtains meet properly in the middle without creeping back open.
This is especially important on smooth-running tracks, where the curtains can move more freely.
Spacing the hooks too far apart
If the curtain hooks are spaced too far apart, the curtain can sag slightly between each hook.
This can make the top of the curtain look uneven and less tidy.
Spacing the hooks too close together
On the other hand, placing hooks too close together can cause problems when opening the curtains.
The curtain may not stack back neatly, which means it takes up more space and doesn’t pull back as far off the window.
Following a consistent spacing pattern across the curtain usually gives the best balance between support and smooth movement.
Before you start
Before gathering the curtains, check the cords at each end of the curtain tape.
If you have bought ready made pencil pleat curtains, the cords will often need pulling out slightly at the ends so you can tie them securely in a simple knot.
If your curtains are made to measure, the ends may already be sewn down with the cords knotted inside. Even so, it is still a good idea to give the cords a quick test from the front to make sure they are secure before you start gathering the curtain.
Step 1: Tie the cords at one end
The first thing to do is make sure the cords are tied securely at one end of the curtain tape.
This gives you a fixed point so you can pull the curtain up from the other side without the cords pulling straight through.
Once one end is tied, repeat the same check at the other end so you know the cords are safe and ready to use.
Step 2: Gather the curtain tape
Now you can begin gathering the curtain.
Hold the knotted end firmly and pull the curtain tape along the cords to bunch the fabric up evenly. Some people find it easiest to hook the tied cords over something solid such as a door handle, stair newel post, or similar fixed point.
This gives you both hands free to pull the curtain along and gather it evenly.
Keep gathering the curtain until it is close to the width you need.
Step 3: Measure the gathered width carefully
Once the curtain has been gathered, measure the width of the curtain tape.
It is usually best to make the gathered curtain slightly wider than the track width. This gives a bit of spring back once the curtain is hanging, which helps stop the curtains pulling themselves open too easily.
For example, if your track is 120cm wide, you may want to gather one curtain to around 130cm.
Once you have the width right, run your hand along the tape and even out the pleats so they look neat and regular.
Step 4: Tie or bundle the loose cords
When the curtain is gathered to the correct width, the loose cords need to be secured.
There are a couple of ways to do this. You can wrap them and tuck them into the end of the tape, or tie them in a simple slip knot so they can easily be released later if you want to re-adjust the width.
Once tied, tuck the cord bundle neatly behind the curtain tape so it is hidden away and does not dangle.
Step 5: Insert the curtain hooks
The next step is to put in the curtain hooks ready for hanging.
On standard 3 inch pencil pleat tape, you will usually see three rows or pockets:
- top pocket
- middle pocket
- bottom pocket
For most curtain tracks, the hooks are best placed into the middle pocket.
Start at one end of the curtain and place a hook in the first pocket. Then miss three pockets and put the next hook into the fourth pocket. Continue this pattern all the way across the curtain.
You should also have a hook right at each end of the curtain.
If you reach the far side and the final spacing is not exactly the same, do not worry. If the last gap ends up slightly smaller or larger, that is usually absolutely fine.
Step 6: Hang the curtains on the track
Once all the hooks are in place, you are ready to hang the curtain.
Each curtain hook goes into an eyelet glider on the curtain track.
Work your way along carefully until all the hooks are attached and the curtain is fully hanging.
If you are using a draw rod, now is the time to clip or attach that too.
Why a draw rod can really help
A draw rod is not essential, but it can make opening and closing the curtains much easier.
Instead of pulling the fabric itself, you move the curtains by pulling the gliders along the track. That helps keep the curtains cleaner and can be especially useful with larger or heavier curtains.
For bay windows and wider tracks, draw rods are often well worth having.
Check the overlap and final look
Once the curtains are hanging, close them fully and check how they sit.
If you have an overlapping pair of curtains, make sure the overlap meets properly in the middle. This is particularly useful for blackout curtains, where a good overlap helps reduce the amount of light coming through the centre.
Have a quick look along the top of the curtains as well to make sure the pleats are sitting evenly and the hooks are supporting the curtain nicely.
Quick summary
- Check the curtain tape cords
- Tie the cords securely at one end
- Gather the curtain to the width you need
- Measure and even out the pleats
- Tie or tuck away the loose cords
- Insert the hooks into the middle pocket
- Hang the hooks into the track gliders
- Use a draw rod if you want easier opening and closing
What you’ll need before you start
You don’t need anything complicated to hang pencil pleat curtains. Most people will already have everything they need.
- Step ladder
- Drill driver
- 6mm masonry drill bit
- Pencil
- Tape measure
- Curtain hooks
If your curtain track is already fitted, you can skip the drilling and just focus on preparing and hanging the curtains.
Need a curtain track to go with them?
If you are still deciding what type of curtain track you need, especially for a bay window, the easiest next step is to use the track finder.
It asks a few quick questions about your window and then points you towards the most suitable track for your setup.
This helps take the guesswork out of it and makes sure you choose the right track first time.
Takes less than 60 seconds
or