Dear AT,
I found this picture in a magazine and I love this window covering.
And I want to do it for my windows.
Does anybody know what track system is being used?
What pleated is being used?
Would it back a hospital track system - ceiling mount?
Can you recommend where to purchase this covering? Thanks! Nancy
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
newyork(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Link To All Good Questions
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
newyork(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Link To All Good Questions

White Enamel Four-P...
Regular white traverse drapery rods can be done as a ceiling mount. A ceiling mount hospital system would work also. It is hard to tell from the picture, but the pleats look like they could be Pinch Pleats, sometimes referred to as French Pleats. If you want to do floor to ceiling drapes with this type of treatment I would recommend that you have it done by a company that makes and installs custom drapery.
It appears to be a hospital track system.
I installed a system from Kirsch in my apartment years ago becasue I have curved window-walls and glass that extends to the ceiling...
...it took some doing to install since I was going into the concrete slab above, and had to cut the aluminum track (it comes in 12' sections as I recall), file the ends and bend the track by hand to fit my curves, but it works very well. I also had to install the correct number of trolleys for my draperies - I used the ones with the little ring to take standard drapery hooks.
I used flat panels that I hemmed to hit the floor with a small break (1" longer than the ceiling height) and didn't bother sewing pleats - just put hooks in evenly-spaced at the 3" top hem (so that the panel would hit the ceiling) and doubled the hooks in the holders where I wanted a "pleat".
It looks like it's a standard traversing track, but I don't know what they call the pleating. It doesn't seem to have any fullness. They use a snap tape on the panel that snap into carriers on the track. It almost looks like a flat panel that has a slight pleat in it. Maybe handsewn, because pleating machines can't get that small of a recess in their pleat.
Try SilentGliss:
http://www.silentgliss.com/go/Home
This actually looks like ripple fold track mounted directly to the ceiling. It differs from traverse track in that the fabric is snapped onto the carriers without being pleated, so the drapery creates an undulating "S" shape.
Its very difficult to re-create this look on your own, as it is incredibly labor-intensive. A drapery with very minimal pleating on a hospital track would be the next best option.
www.theshadestore.com has gorgeous modern draperies, as well!
That's correct, ripplefold. I was thinking traversing more in the sense of the verb.. but, decomancer is right on.
(slightly mortified, as I'm in the custom window treatment industry...this site is my slight escape from the work day and try to jump on and off) :)
Rose Brand - they're in New York/NJ & LA - has Kirsch track & accessories and they do custom drapery. They specialize in theatrical supplies but I've used them for residential as well and they're very good. They have a large selection of fabrics, too.
http://www.rosebrand.com/
The drapes look to be ripplefold. Basically a tape is sewn in at the top that holds the s-shaped pleats in place and attaches the whole thing to the runners. Its a fantastic minimalist drapery look, but because it still can't be found at mainstream home furnishing retailers (are you listening, Crate and Barrel and Williams Sonoma...), it requires employing a drapery specialist to get the job done right. It looks best when the track is inset into the ceiling so everything is flush, but that isn't absolutely necessary.
I have managed to mock up a ripplefold effect using inexpensive ceiling track, some curtain elements from Ikea, inexpensive liner, and iron on fabric bonding. It came out fine, but its a lot of work and took the better part of a month to complete. And that was for a 6 ft span.
I recently priced this out for a 13.5 ft span of sheers and the cost came out to about $1300 plus 27 yards of fabric. This included track, but did not include the process of insetting the track or installing.
http://www.KonnectInternational.com has a bendable style track system and I believe that Levelor has this type of hardware.
Hope this helps,
"elise"
Thursday, February 4
This is exactly what you described , I think you might be able to find it here:
Hope this helps and isn't to late !
elise
HTTP:WWW.CURTAINFAIR.COM
Ripplefold track for draperies.
Shower Curtains Shower Tracks Architectural Tracks Cubicle Tracks Cubicle & Drapery Fabrics
Home
Place An Order or Request A Sample
About Us
Privacy Statement
Contact Us
Links
Site Map
Ripplefold - About the Drapery System
-back-
About Ripplefold | How it Works | Features | Ripplefold Masters
A) Standard Overlap Master | B) Butt Master | C) Commercial
How to Fabricate | Tracks & Prices | Order Form
DRAPERY SYSTEM
A uniformly beautiful treatment ... inside and out
Soft ripple-like folds flow smoothly from one end of the track to the other. The effect is gently tailored – suitable for either commercial or residential installations. Butt master carriers and swivel eliminate all “flat” drapery areas.
There's no “wrong” side. Folds are identically beautiful from inside the room or outside the buiding – an architectural advantage. Headings, suspended under the track, cannot tip or sag, are always perfectly positioned and spaced.
less stackback…more light
Ripple-like folds stackback to very ends of track – actually take less width than conventially pleated draperies. More glass is exposed therefore more light can come in. Using butt master carriers reduces stackback.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The desired style of track system is mounted on a wall, ceiling or in a recessed location. Using the fabrication guide for specifications, tape is stitched to flat hemmed panels of any desired fabric. Panels snap to carriers creating a graceful uniform flow of ripple-like folds.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NYLON SNAP TAPE
Permanently stiffened nylon tape stitches to flat drapery panels. Pre-attached male halves of snaps are on 4-1/4" centers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPLICATIONS CAN BE USED ON TRACK SYSTEMS: