How to make lined pencil pleat curtains

B&Q's eight-step method with heading tape.

Step by step

1. Measure the drop from the top of the pole and add about 13 cm for hemming. Measure the width, add about 18 cm and double it.
2. Cut the fabric; cut the lining about 8 cm shorter and 18 cm narrower. Check any pattern is the right way up.
3. Bottom hems: fold up 2.5 cm, press, fold another 8 cm, press, and stitch about 0.6 cm above the fold, backstitching at each end. Repeat on the lining.
4. Pin the lining to the fabric along the sides and sew with a 1.3 cm seam allowance; press.
5. Even up the returns, then sew across the top with a 2.5 cm seam allowance, turn out and press.
6. Sew heading tape (at least 10 cm longer than the curtain width) along its top and bottom edges, ends folded under, loops facing out.
7. Fold the loose fabric at the bottom corners into a diagonal and hand-stitch, catching only the top layer.
8. Knot the strings, pull up even pleats, knot again, and put hooks in every fourth loop. Don't cut the spare strings.

Sources

All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.

1. B&Q: How to make curtains