Made to measure · Curtains
Pencil Pleat Curtains
Measured & fitted across Burscough, Ormskirk, Southport & Tarleton
Pencil pleat curtains have a tape at the top that’s drawn up into tight, narrow pleats that look like a row of pencils. They’re the most versatile and popular curtain heading: they work on poles or tracks, and suit everything from cottages to new builds.
Best for
- Any room
- Bay windows on curved tracks
- Pairing with Roman blinds or pelmets
- Free home visits We bring the samples to you
- Measured & fitted free By our own team
- Fitted in 2–4 weeks On most blinds & curtains
- 5-year guarantee On everything we fit
Classic and versatile
Pencil pleat is a reliable choice for almost any window. It sits well under a pelmet, runs smoothly on bay window tracks and gives a soft, gathered look.
Fabrics and linings
Pencil pleat curtains can be made from almost any curtain fabric, from soft plains to bold patterns. Add a standard, blackout or thermal lining depending on the room.
We have hundreds of fabrics in our Burscough showroom and bring a selection to your home so you can choose in your own light.
Perfect for bay windows
Pencil pleat runs smoothly on curved bay window tracks, which is why it’s such a popular choice for bays. Add a fabric pelmet above and you get a beautifully finished window that hides the track completely.
We supply and fit the poles, tracks and pelmets too, all measured at the same visit as your curtains.
Good to know
- Pencil pleat gives a gathered rather than structured look; for crisper folds, see pinch pleat or wave.
- Pencil pleat works on both poles and tracks.
- It’s one of the best-value curtain headings.
Rough price
How much would yours cost?
Type in your window size for a rough price, including VAT, measuring and fitting.
about
That’s bigger than we can price online
Very wide or tall windows sometimes need two blinds or a special order, so we’ll price it properly at your free home visit.
Make it yours
Options for your pencil pleat curtains
Not sure which? We’ll bring samples of each to your home so you can compare them at your own window.
- 01
Lining choices
Standard, blackout or thermal.
- 02
Poles, tracks & pelmets
We supply and fit the whole look.
- 03
Floor or sill length
Floor length for elegance, or sill length above radiators and deep sills.
Our work
Curtains we’ve fitted locally
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Curtains with a matching fabric pelmet -
Curtains framing a bathroom bay window -
Made-to-measure curtains on a curved bay -
Pinch pleat curtains in a lounge
Still comparing?
See how Pencil Pleat Curtains compare
Our free Window Guide puts every blind, curtain and shutter side by side, with guide prices and a planner for your visit.
Helpful reading
- How Much Do Blinds, Curtains and Shutters Cost? Real prices for made-to-measure blinds, curtains and shutters, including VAT, measuring and fitting, plus what pushes the price up or down. 4 min read
- Curtain Headings Explained: Pencil Pleat, Pinch Pleat, Wave and Eyelet The four curtain headings side by side. How each one looks, whether it needs a pole or track, how much fabric it uses and what it costs. 4 min read
Google reviews
What our customers say
5.0from 21 reviews on Google
Pencil Pleat Curtains: your questions answered
Are pencil pleat curtains good for bay windows?
Yes. They run smoothly on curved bay tracks and look great with a pelmet.
How much do pencil pleat curtains cost?
Pencil pleat is one of the best-value curtain headings. The price depends on the size of the window, the fabric and the lining, and we give you an exact, itemised quote at your free home visit, with measuring and fitting included.
Can pencil pleat curtains go on a pole?
Yes. They work on both poles and tracks, which is one reason they’re so popular.
What’s the difference between pencil pleat and pinch pleat?
Pencil pleat is gathered into narrow pleats for a softer look. Pinch pleat has stitched-in pleats that give deeper, more structured folds.
Can pencil pleat curtains be blackout or thermal lined?
Yes. Choose a standard, blackout or thermal lining to suit the room.
Should my curtains be floor length or sill length?
Floor-length curtains look the most elegant and make windows feel taller. Sill length, or just below, suits windows above radiators or deep sills. We’ll suggest what works best for your room.
Do pencil pleat curtains work with a pelmet?
Yes. Pencil pleat sits neatly under a pelmet, which hides the track and gives a finished look, especially in a bay.
How do pencil pleat curtains hang?
Hooks clip into the tape at the top and hang from the gliders on a track or the rings on a pole.
How do I clean pencil pleat curtains?
Vacuum them gently with a soft brush attachment every so often. Because made-to-measure curtains are lined, professional dry cleaning is the safest option for a deep clean.
How long do made-to-measure curtains take?
Made-to-measure curtains are usually ready to fit around 3 weeks after your measure, including pelmets. We’ll confirm the timescale with your quote.
Ready to talk pencil pleat curtains?
Book a free, no-obligation home visit. We’ll bring the samples, measure every window and give you a clear price on the day.