Have you ever admired a set of curtains in a showroom or a magazine and wondered how they hang so perfectly? The fabric falls in flawless, elegant folds, the edges are poker-straight, and they don’t billow or flare at the bottom. The secret often lies in a small, unseen detail: curtain weights.

Adding a "plomb" (the French term for a lead weight) to your curtains is a simple trick used by professionals to give drapes a high-end, polished look. This guide will show you how to easily install them yourself, ensuring your curtains hang beautifully.

 

Why Use Curtain Weights?

 

Before we get to the "how," let's talk about the "why." Adding weights to your curtains:

• Ensures an Even Hang: Weights pull the fabric gently downwards, helping the pleats or folds to hang uniformly from top to bottom.

• Creates Straight Side Hems: They prevent the outer edges of the curtain from curling or flaring outwards, keeping them crisp and straight.

• Reduces Billowing: For lightweight fabrics or curtains near a window that gets a breeze, weights minimize movement and keep them hanging gracefully.

• Improves the Drape: The added heft gives the fabric a richer, more luxurious fall.

 

Types of Curtain Weights

 

There are two main types of weights you can use, depending on your needs:

1. Corner Weights (Plombs d'Angle): These are small, flat weights, often square or coin-shaped, covered in fabric or a thin plastic pouch. They are designed to be sewn individually into the bottom corners of each curtain panel.

2. Lead Weight Tape/Chain (Fil de Plomb): This is a continuous string of small lead beads encased in a fabric cord. It's designed to be inserted along the entire bottom hem of the curtain for a consistent weight distribution, ideal for very lightweight or sheer fabrics.

 

How to Install Corner Weights (The Easiest Method)

 

This is the most common and straightforward way to add weight.

What You'll Need:

• Two corner weights per curtain panel

• A needle and thread that matches your curtain colour

• Scissors

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Curtain: Lay your curtain panel flat, with the back (lining side) facing up. Locate the bottom corners where the side hem meets the bottom hem.

2. Position the Weight: Tuck the corner weight deep into the corner of the hem. You should be able to slide it into the pocket created by the folded fabric of the hem itself.

3. Secure with a Few Stitches: Thread your needle and knot the end. Make a few small, discreet stitches through the hem fabric and the fabric casing of the weight. You don't need to sew all the way around it. Just 4-5 secure stitches on one or two sides will be enough to stop it from shifting or falling out during cleaning.

4. Knot and Trim: Once secure, tie a strong knot and trim the excess thread.

5. Repeat: Repeat the process for the other bottom corner and for any other curtain panels.

 

How to Install a Lead Weight Chain

 

This method is perfect for voiles, sheers, or other very light fabrics.

What You'll Need:

• A length of lead weight chain, measured to the width of your curtain panel

• A seam ripper

• A needle and thread

• Scissors

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open the Hem: On the backside of your curtain, use a seam ripper to carefully open a small section (about 1-2 inches) of the side seam at one end of the bottom hem. This creates an opening into the "tunnel" of the hem.

2. Insert the Chain: Gently feed the lead weight chain through this opening. Guide it all the way through the bottom hem until it reaches the other side. A helpful trick is to attach the end of the chain to a safety pin to make it easier to guide through the fabric.

3. Secure and Close: Once the chain is in place, use your needle and thread to stitch the opening in the side seam closed. To prevent the chain from shifting side-to-side, you can also add a few small vertical stitches through the hem, catching the chain's casing inside, at both ends and in the middle.

While adding weights is a manageable DIY task, achieving a truly flawless, custom-draped window treatment often requires a professional touch, especially with heavy or complex fabrics. For intricate projects or if you're investing in high-quality materials, the expertise of a Tapissier Casablanca can be invaluable. These skilled upholsterers and curtain makers not only masterfully handle fabric but also understand the precise weighting and finishing techniques needed to create window treatments with a truly luxurious and professional drape.

With this simple addition, your curtains will look more tailored, hang more beautifully, and bring a subtle but significant touch of elegance to your room.