How to Train Pole Pocket Draperies to Keep the Proper Folds

August 14, 2017

Pole pocket draperies have many advantages and a lot of our customers love the style. That said, we hear frequently that people aren’t sure how to keep the proper folds in them. It’s actually rather simple, once you know what you’re doing. Read on to learn how to train your pole pocket drapes to keep their folds and then shop the huge selection available at Half Price Drapes.

Step One: Gently push the folds together

The first step is to get the folds where you want them. We recommend gently pushing the folds together starting at the top and working down to the bottom. Remember to be gentle – you’re trying to train the curtains, not harm them.

Step Two: Wrap the folds together

Now take a strip of fabric and keep those folds together by wrapping them in place. You’ll want to wrap them in several places, once again starting from the top to the bottom. Make sure that you use a strip of fabric – not string and not twine. They can leave lines on your folds.

Step Three: Leave them for several days

Now you’ll want to keep the folds wrapped together for a few days, if you can. If you have a garment steamer then you can use that set the folds. If you have an iron that you can easily use on your curtains, then that’s an option too.

Step Four: Remove the folds

Now take off the wrapping. Your folds should be crisp and wonderful! If they’re not, then you may have needed to leave them on longer. That’s why we recommend just taking off one fabric strip at a time. This allows you to see how it’s going without having to redo each piece.

Bonus: How to train pleated drapes

If you have pleated drapes then you’ll need to follow a different method. It’s referred to as “breaking” and essentially that’s what you’re doing to the buckram between the pleats. What’s buckram you may be wondering? It’s the stiff strip that you see sewn along the top of your pleated curtain panels. It gives the curtains both body and stiffness. To break it, simply pinch or bend it halfway between each of the pleats. This basically creates a memory for the fabric so that it folds right each and every time it’s opened and closed. Check out some of our clearance draperies to get great deals on these incredible products.

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