How to make a gathered heading

The best hanging method for your gathered heading is a decorative curtain pole or curtain track using drapery hooks.

Sometimes called a standard heading, this is a simple gathered heading that uses a heading tape of around 2.5cm wide. When sewn onto the top of the fabric, you simply draw up the heading tape to the required fullness. It's a casual look, and a good heading to use if your curtain top will be hidden under a pelmet. As the tape is not very wide, it will not bear the weight of very heavy curtain fabric. Therefore we recommend using a gathering heading only on lightweight fabrics that are unlined.If your curtains will be made of heavier fabric and lined, use pencil pleast heading tape. Refer to our instructions "how to make a pencil pleat heading".

Purchase enough gathered heading tape to fit the flat width of both curtains, allowing a little extra for tucking in raw edges.

First of all, you need to make up your curtains. Refer to our section "how to calculate fabric amounts for curtain making" to ensure you make up curtains using the correct amount of fabric needed for a gathered heading.

Make unlined curtains according to our guide "how to make unlined curtains".

Pin and tack the heading tape firmly in place, about across the top of each curtain, about 3mm from the top edge of the fabric.

Turn the ends of tape under to hide the raw edges before you start sewing. Carefully release the three cords of the tape, and knot them together so they don't slip back inside the tape while you are pulling on the other end.

Make one line of stitching across the top of the tape, and another line across the bottom of the tape. Always sew in the same direction to avoid puckering of the fabric.

Vertically stitch and close each end of the heading tape close to the inside edge of the curtain. Ensure that the heading tape cords (and that you do not sew over these) are exposed first and that the raw ends are tucked under.

Carefully, starting pulling evenly on the cords at one end, to gather up the heading tape. This can take time, especially for very wide curtains. You continually must push the gathers across the top of the heading as evenly as possible as you pull the cords. Change ends and draw up the cords from the other side of the curtain as well.

Pull the cords alternatively from either end of the heading tape. When you have finished, check the finished gathered width of the curtain will fit across a little over half the width of your curtain track (include any return arms).

If there is not enough finished width, push the gathers evenly apart a little, so they aren't so tight and the curtain becomes wider. Check the width again. You can also do this once you have hung the curtains if you find it easier.

When you are happy with the finished width of the gathered curtain, knot the ends of the cords and secure them with a simple hand stitch at the back of the heading tape so they are hidden from view.

Position and insert your curtain hooks at regular intervals across the top of the heading tape. Hang your curtains.

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