Here is a tip I learned from a very experienced curtain maker in another workroom which we have adopted at Denton Drapes. It helps you to form triple pleats quickly and accurately.
Begin by sewing the pleat in the normal way having calculated the pleats and spaces required. (I’m using a coloured thread here simply to show you the technique)
The stitching line should go to the end of the buckram. In this case we used six inch buckram.
But then sew in a second line a “small” third in. This means one third of the distance minus five mm. You may need to trial and error this to get the perfect position.
Finish this second stitching line one cm short of both top and bottom.
Then if you pinch the pleat at the bottom of this line it is really easy to make the triple shape
All you have do is to press down to the middle and then add first one side and then the other to create the full triple pleat.
One
Two
Three
Sew it into place and the job is done.
A Curtain Maker's Blog 
Thankyou for that useful tip, any ideas how to get around the holes you make in blockout lining when making a roman blind? Would be most grateful,
Thanx,
Mandy
Hi Amanda
Unfortunately there is no such thing as a completely blackout roman blind beacuse of the nature of blackout fabric and the needle making a hole into it to create the stab stitches.
In my workroom if it is a particulary light coloured fabric will cut tiny circles of blackout and glue these ontop of the stab stitches to try and address this age old problem.
Wow, thanks for the triple pleat “technique”
Its one of those……why didn’t I think of that !!??
annakelly, in texas
Hey, Penny, thanks for that useful little tip, shall try it…
Helen
Great tip, we are always learning from one another!
Great tip Penny!
That’s so cool! Especially for really soft fabrics that might want to soften and spay out. Really appreciate the hints. Keep up the good work.
What a great method! I might have to come up with an excuse to make some pinch pleated panels now, just so I can try your pleating trick! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Penny, in step three of the finished photos do you sew the top of the pleat?
Yes Liz you continue and finish the top of your pleat in the normal way.
What a great tip! Awesome! Thanks so much.
Paula
Great tip Penny; as usual!!
What a brilliant idea – what hooks would you use with this type of TPP? I’ve only seen the 4 prong hooks, so obviously there’d be a different type for this?
Dear Emma
We use metal pin hooks with triple pleats.
Hi Penny, At what stage do you calculate the pleats when pleating to a fabric pattern? Is it when first calculating the number of drops, or after the widths are joined but before the sides are sewn in or at a completely different stage? Thanks for your time, Liz
Hi Liz
I would always workout my pleat calculations before ordering the fabric. To do this you would need to know the horizontal pattern repeat of the fabric.
As rule of thumb I would use 3 times fullness for pleating to the pattern.
I love your technique, learned a lot from this.. great tips for curtain maker. The quality is important and also the design when choosing for a right curtain in your house.