How to make a rod pocket heading

A rod pocket heading is also known as a cased, channelled or slotted curtain heading. The best hanging method for your rod pocket curtain heading is decorative curtain pole or curtain wire system.

Making up a rod pocket heading is the easiest of all methods to create simple drapes. A pocket is created into which you slide your curtain pole. This heading mostly hides the pole. It is a casual, yet stylish look that can be dressed up by creating a simple, ruched, stand-up frill above the level of the curtain rod.

This heading is usually used for curtains that are stationary. It is particularly effective if you almost close the curtains, then sweep the fabric back and secure with tiebacks.Then adding a roman blind in the recess of the window looks stunning.

If you are using this heading with a curtain wire system for very light weight fabrics (for example sheers), then the curtain will remain permanently closed so that light filters through the fabric.

No hooks or heading tape is needed for a rod pocket heading. We recommend using a fabric of lighter weight, for example silk. This way the curtain will be easier to ruch tightly onto the curtain pole and get the look of fullness needed. We also recommend making your curtain length longer by about 20cm when measuring to the floor. As these curtains are stationary and kept drawn back most of the time using tiebacks, the extra length will be needed so the inside edge of the curtains doesn't appear to be too short.

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 rod pocket heading.

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

Measure the diameter of the pole. The pocket you create should be double the diameter of the pole you are using, to ensure the pocket slides smoothly onto the pole.

To make the rod pocket, lay the fabric right side down. Measure up from the bottom hem of your curtain to the top where the bottom of your pole will be and mark a line across the back of your fabric with tailor's chalk.

You will see that there is about 25cm between this line and the top of your curtain fabric.

Fold the top of the curtain down so that the edge of the fabric lines up with your tailor chalk mark.

Press, pin and tack the fabric in place, just overlapping the line slightly. Stitch across the bottom of the turned-down fabric, a few millimetres from the edge, following the line of the tailors chalk.

Make another line of stitching above the first one, about double the diameter of your pole. For example, if you are using a pole about 3cm in diameter, your second line of stitching will be 6cm above the first line of stitching.

The excess fabric above the second line of stitching to the top of your curtains will become your ruched frill. the pole will slide into the 6cm pocket you have just created.

Slide both finished curtains onto your pole, and mount the pole onto your wall brackets. Ruch the top of the curtains into place so they are even both sides. Pull the curtains almost together at the top and sweep back the curtain lengths and using tiebacks to pull the fabric back from the window.

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