Curtains · A guide

Choosing your curtain heading

The heading is how the top of a curtain is sewn and pleated. It shapes the way the fabric falls, sets a room’s mood, from classic to contemporary, and decides how much space the curtain takes up when it’s drawn open.

Here are the seven headings we make most often: what each one looks like, where it works best and what to keep in mind. As a rule, choose your fabric first, then the heading that shows it at its best.

Illustration of a wave heading
Wave · front view
01 · Contemporary

Wave

Also called S-fold

A firm tape on the back of the heading spaces the fabric evenly, so the curtain falls in soft, identical S-shaped waves from top to hem. The line is clean and calm, front and back.

Best for
Plains, patterns and sheers alike. In a wide-width fabric, one continuous run can cross even a large window with no joins or seams.
Good to know
Synthetics keep a crisp, even wave across big windows. Natural fibres such as linen fall in a softer, more relaxed wave, which many people love.
Hangs from
A wave track, or a tracked rod with wave gliders.
Fabric useMedium
Stack-backCompact
Illustration of a flat heading
Flat panel · front view
02 · Minimal

Flat panel

Minimal fullness

The simplest heading of all. The fabric hangs almost flat with very little fullness, so the cloth itself does the talking.

Best for
Showing off a pattern, since no pleats interrupt the repeat. Beautiful in good-quality linen for an easy, relaxed sophistication.
Good to know
It takes up very little room when open. A flat-panel sheer also works well behind a fully lined curtain on a double track.
Hangs from
A track or rod; often the sheer layer on a double track.
Fabric useLow
Stack-backMinimal
Illustration of a single heading
Single pinch pleat · front view
03 · Modern tailored

Single pinch pleat

Also called a New York pleat

Stiffened buckram is folded into one crisp pleat at regular intervals, and hooks hang the curtain from a track or rod. A tidy, modern take on the pinch pleat.

Best for
Smaller rooms and windows with little wall space beside them, because it stacks neatly when open. Works with sheers, plains and patterns.
Good to know
Uses fabric economically and handles heavier cloths particularly well.
Hangs from
Hooks on a track, or rings on a rod.
Fabric useLow–medium
Stack-backCompact
Illustration of a double heading
Double pinch pleat · front view
04 · Classic

Double pinch pleat

Also called a Dutch pleat

Two folds per pleat give an even, consistent and fuller finish. Smart and elegant without feeling formal, and the most versatile of the pinch pleats.

Best for
Full-length curtains, and shorter curtains that finish around sill height (the lower third of the wall).
Good to know
Efficient with fabric, stacks back neatly and is straightforward to install.
Hangs from
Hooks on a track, or rings on a rod.
Fabric useMedium
Stack-backModerate
Illustration of a triple heading
Triple pinch pleat · front view
05 · Formal

Triple pinch pleat

Also called a French pleat

Three folds gathered into each pleat create a sumptuous, generous curtain. The most traditional and decorative of the pinch pleats.

Best for
Large, grand rooms where the curtains can be fully admired, and rich fabrics such as velvets, silks and heavy linens.
Good to know
Needs more fabric than a single or double pinch pleat, and stacks back fuller when open.
Hangs from
Hooks on a track, or rings on a rod.
Fabric useHigh
Stack-backFull
Illustration of a box heading
Box pleat · front view
06 · Tailored classic

Box pleat

Also called an inverted pleat

Deep pleats are folded inwards across the top, leaving a flat, tailored face. It sits neatly under a curtain rod or on a track.

Best for
Most fabrics. With standard-width fabric, the joins can be tucked away inside the pleat folds.
Good to know
Strong patterns, especially geometrics, can lose their pattern match where the fabric folds into each pleat.
Hangs from
A track, or rings sitting beneath a rod.
Fabric useMedium–high
Stack-backModerate
Illustration of a pencil heading
Pencil pleat · front view
07 · Relaxed traditional

Pencil pleat

Also called a gathered heading

Cords in the heading tape are drawn up to gather the fabric into rows of slim, pencil-width folds. The fullness can be adjusted simply by tightening the cords.

Best for
Light to mid-weight fabrics and a simple, familiar finish.
Good to know
Very heavy or bulky fabrics don't gather evenly, so a pinch pleat is the better choice for those.
Hangs from
Hooks on a track, or rings on a rod.
Fabric useMedium
Stack-backFull
At a glance

Compare the headings

HeadingFeelBest forFabric useStack-back
WaveContemporaryModern homes, wide windows, sheersMediumCompact
Flat panelMinimalBold patterns, linens, layered sheersLowMinimal
Single pinch pleatModern tailoredSmall rooms, heavier fabricsLow–mediumCompact
Double pinch pleatClassicAlmost any room, full or sill lengthMediumModerate
Triple pinch pleatFormalLarge rooms, luxurious fabricsHighFull
Box pleatTailored classicPlains and soft patterns, classic roomsMedium–highModerate
Pencil pleatRelaxed traditionalLight fabrics, simple and easyMediumFull

Fabric use and stack-back are a general guide. We confirm exact fabric quantities when we measure your windows.

Choosing yours

Four things to weigh up

  1. Fabric first

    Pick the fabric for its look, how it needs to perform and your budget. Then choose the heading that shows it off best.

  2. The room’s style

    Triple pinch and box pleats feel formal and traditional. Wave, single pinch and flat panels feel modern and pared back.

  3. Space beside the window

    Where walls are narrow, choose a heading that stacks tightly, such as single pinch or flat panel, so the curtain doesn’t block the view or the light.

  4. Pattern and weight

    Bold repeats read best on flat panels and waves. Heavy fabrics suit pinch pleats; keep pencil pleats for lighter cloths.

Hanging systemsHow to measureBrowse fabrics
Not sure which suits your room?

Let’s choose it together

Bring a photo of your window into the showroom, or book a measure and quote. We’ll talk you through fabric, heading and track options for your room.

Get a quoteVisit the showroom

Heading guidance adapted from James Dunlop Textiles.