Goblet Pleat Draperies

 Goblet Pleated draperies are a modern version of an old classic, the pinch pleat.

The difference is basically a rounded shape at the top where the buckram (stiffener)

is located to create the heading of the drape.

 The goblet pleat is a beautiful style for transitional homes.

These draperies are hung from 2" custom wood rods in a

 pretty metallic finish that is between gold and silver.

The rods are fluted and the rings are metal, all hand finished.

 The silk drapery fabric color is a lovely fawn color that came from the 

inspiration point in the room~the artwork.

 The artwork and its frame inspired the rod and the drapery color choices.

The darker color in the hounds-tooth check fabric 

on the chairs is similar to the drapery color as well.

This original watercolor has a dreamlike quality

that feels like a fairy tale to me. 

A group of maidens attending to a young bride seems to be the subject,
and was a gift from the artist to my client on her 40th birthday!

On the opposite wall there are family photographs.

This room has an easy elegance that fits this active family.

My client is planning to add a little more fun to the room 

by changing out some of the clear crystals on the chandelier to colored drops.

Before I stepped foot into the client's home with these bagged draperies,

I'd like to show you the behind the scenes of getting

these custom draperies ready for installation.

My professional workroom delivers them to me after they are made

to my specifications.They come flat and folded and plenty of wrinkles.

Ironing is one of the most important things you can do to get a quality look.

Do not skip this step!

 Iron your ready made drapes for a professional result.

 After a good pressing I have to shape the goblets.

I use rolled up batting that is inserted into the throat of the goblet.

This helps to create the rounded look.

 What a good worker I am~

carefully filling all of the goblets with batting.

This is my workoom where the magic happens!

Drapery pin-on hooks are inserted in the back 

of the heading to hold each pleat and return (end) on each ring. 

Look at the two tiny tack marks at the top of the panel.

These are used to hold the goblet open. 

Pinch Pleats do not have these tack marks.

My goblet pleats were made with 

extra wide buckram, 5" instead of 3" or 4".

 The rounded pleats are taking shape.

I like all of my silk panels to have a layer 

of interlining between the silk and the cotton lining.

It protects the silk from sun rot and it adds 

so much to the fullness when they are hung.

Panel after panel is done and then they are ready to be

 folded and bagged for transport to their new home. 

 I use special wide drapery rods with rolls on them to hang each panel.

Then I bag them in heavy duty poly bags to keep them spotless.

Finally, I am ready to install these beautiful drapes! 

I had already installed the drapery rods in advance, 

so it was a matter of hanging and dressing the draperies.

Dressing the draperies is one of the most important steps.

You have to make sure each pleat travels down the length of

the panel creating soft rounded folds. 

This takes time and patience, and if not done correctly

your drapes can look anything but custom!

Before

After

Now you know all about Goblet Pleated Draperies!
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