S-Fold Curtains: Fullness, Tracks and the Best Fabrics

By the JOTEX Fabrics product team · Updated 30 September 2026

Short answer

S-fold curtains hang in continuous, identical S-shaped waves. The curtain clips onto carriers on a dedicated S-fold track, and a spacing cord holds the carriers at equal distances, so every fold is the same size. They usually need 1.8 to 2.2 times the track width in fabric and look best in soft, fluid fabrics such as sheers and medium-weight dimouts.

How S-fold curtains work

Most curtain headings get their shape from sewing: pleats are stitched in, or a tape is gathered. An S-fold curtain gets its shape from the track. The track has a row of carriers, also called gliders, linked by a spacing cord or tape that fixes the gap between them. The curtain has a snap or hook tape sewn along its heading and clips onto the carriers. When the curtain closes, the cord pulls every carrier to the same spacing and the fabric falls into identical waves, alternating in front of and behind the track.

S-fold, ripple fold and wave are names for the same idea; some are brand names for particular track systems. Because the fold is controlled by the track, an S-fold curtain cannot be hung on an ordinary curtain track or pole.

S-fold vs French pleat

	S-fold	French pleat
Look	Continuous, even waves; clean and modern	Tailored triple pleats; formal
Typical fullness	About 1.8 to 2.2 times	About 2.5 times
Track	Dedicated S-fold track with spaced carriers	Standard track, or rings on a pole
Sewing	Heading tape; usually simpler	Hand-formed pleats with buckram
When open	A neat, compact stack	A fuller stack
Motorised	Very well suited	Works on motorised tracks
Best fabrics	Soft, fluid: sheers, dimouts, soft velvets	Fabrics with body: jacquards, velvets, blackouts

See French Pleat Curtains for pinch pleats in depth, and Curtain Styles Explained for every heading side by side.

How much fullness S-fold needs

Fullness is the finished curtain width divided by the track width. With S-fold it also sets the depth of the waves: more fullness packs more fabric into the same spacing, so the waves are deeper and rounder.

Fullness	Wave	Suits
About 1.6 to 1.8 times	Shallow, flatter waves	Heavier fabrics, tight budgets, windows where the stack must be small
About 2 times	The classic, balanced wave	Most dimouts and blackouts
About 2.2 times	Deep, full waves	Sheers and light fabrics, which need more fullness to look rich

Many S-fold systems describe fullness as a percentage of extra fabric, for example 100% for 2 times. Whatever the label, the carrier spacing on the track and the fullness of the curtain must be set to match, so decide the fullness before the track is cut.

Tracks, mounting and motors

Ceiling or wall. In Malaysian condominiums, S-fold tracks are usually ceiling-mounted, often inside a curtain recess. A ceiling track closes the gap above the curtain, which matters for bedrooms.
Recess depth. The waves stand out in front of and behind the track, so the recess must be deep enough for them to move freely. A double track, sheer plus main curtain, needs room for two sets of waves side by side.
Centre overlap. Where two curtains meet, overlapping master carriers stop a line of light through the middle.
Ends. Ask for the carrier count to be set so both ends of each curtain return towards the wall; it looks finished and blocks side light.
Motors. S-fold runs smoothly on motorised tracks, and the even spacing keeps the waves identical every time the curtain closes. JOTEX Sunshades supplies curtain tracks and motors.

The best fabrics for S-fold

S-fold rewards fabrics that bend easily into a curve and fall straight. Stiff fabrics fight the wave and can buckle between carriers.

Fabric	S-fold result	Tips
Sheer	Excellent	Use 2 to 2.2 times fullness and a weighted hem so the waves hang straight
Dimout (polyester)	Excellent	The everyday choice for living rooms; about 2 times fullness
Soft blackout	Good	Choose a supple blackout, or a dimout with a blackout lining
Stiff coated blackout	Can be uneven	The coating resists the curve; test a sample on the track first
Velvet	Good	Heavy: check the track and motor are rated for the weight
Jacquard	Good	The waves turn the pattern in and out of view; bold directional designs can look broken
Linen and linen blends	Good	Natural fibre can lengthen and shorten slightly with humidity; allow for it in the hem

Extra-wide fabrics suit S-fold especially well. A 300 cm or wider fabric can be run sideways (railroaded), so even a long window takes one seamless piece and nothing interrupts the waves. The JOTEX sheers and dimouts below are mostly made this way; see Blackout vs Dimout vs Sheer for choosing between them.

Working out the fabric

1. Finished width = track width × fullness. A 3 m track at 2 times needs 6 m of finished curtain.
2. Add allowances for side hems and the centre overlap, typically around 0.3 m per curtain.
3. Check the drop. Drop plus top and bottom hems must fit within the fabric width if you railroad. A 320 cm fabric comfortably covers a 2.8 m drop.
4. Railroaded: order the finished width plus allowances as one length: about 6.3 m in the example above.
5. Not railroaded: divide the finished width by the fabric width to get the number of widths, round up, and multiply by the drop plus hems. Add a pattern repeat per width for patterned fabric.

These are approximations; hem and heading allowances vary by workroom, so confirm the order quantity with your curtain maker.

Common S-fold mistakes

Ordering the fabric before the track: the carrier spacing and fullness must match.
Too little fullness on sheers, which makes them look thin and flat.
Choosing a very stiff coated blackout without testing it on the track.
Leaving sheers without a weighted hem, so the waves drift and flare at the bottom.
Different fullness on the sheer and the main curtain of a double track, so the two stacks do not line up.
A recess too shallow for two sets of waves, so the curtains rub against each other.

Sheers for S-fold

Lightweight sheers for the day layer of an S-fold double track. See all of them on the sheer fabric page.

ANTONIA
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% POLYESTER · 36 colourways
CALGARY
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% POLYESTER · 48 colourways
CALLIE
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 62 colourways
DAYLIGHT
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% POLYESTER · 54 colourways
DIMOS
POSH CREATION · 100% POLYESTER · 9 colourways
FURLEY
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 44 colourways
GRADIENT
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% POLYESTER · 6 colourways
HENSLEY
POSH CREATION · 100% POLYESTER · 30 colourways
MAPLE
POSH CREATION · 100% POLYESTER · 27 colourways
MARTHA
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% POLYESTER · 24 colourways
MIA
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 34 colourways
NATORI
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 47 colourways
OBERON
POSH CREATION · 100% POLYESTER · 29 colourways
PISO
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% POLYESTER · 4 colourways
VALERY
JOTEX FABRICS · 80% PES 20% LINEN · 31 colourways
ZONA
POSH CREATION · 100% POLYESTER · 17 colourways

Browse sheer fabric →

Dimouts for S-fold

Medium-weight dimouts that form even waves for the main curtain. See all of them on the dimout fabric page.

ALASKA
POSH CREATION · 100% POLYESTER · 30 colourways
ARMANI
POSH CREATION · 100% POLYESTER · 36 colourways
COMO
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 61 colourways
CORA
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 56 colourways
DANI
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 32 colourways
GLAVIN
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 22 colourways
INDIGO
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 31 colourways
KAYLA
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 27 colourways
KENDLE
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 32 colourways
LEXI
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 32 colourways
LIBERTY
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 34 colourways
LYNN
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 20 colourways
MELA
POSH CREATION · 100% POLYESTER · 30 colourways
MISIA
POSH CREATION · 100% POLYESTER · 35 colourways
OREGON
POSH CREATION · 100% POLYESTER · 39 colourways
PEMA
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 31 colourways
RANEY
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 31 colourways
REGENT
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% POLYESTER · 32 colourways
ROME
POSH CREATION · 100% PES · 45 colourways
SANARA
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% POLYESTER · 25 colourways
ULTRA
JOTEX FABRICS · 100% PES · 45 colourways

Browse dimout fabric →

Frequently asked questions

Is ripple fold the same as S-fold?

Yes. S-fold, ripple fold and wave all describe curtains that hang in continuous, even waves from carriers on a dedicated track. Some of the names are brand names for particular track systems.

How much extra fabric do S-fold curtains need?

Usually 1.8 to 2.2 times the track width, plus around 0.3 m per curtain for side hems and overlap. Sheers look best at the higher end; heavier fabrics can use less.

Are S-fold curtains worth it?

For most modern homes, yes. They give perfectly even folds, a compact stack when open and work very well with motors. The trade-off is that they need a dedicated S-fold track, and they look less formal than French pleat.

Can I hang S-fold curtains on my existing track?

Only if it is an S-fold track with spaced carriers. An ordinary track or pole cannot hold the even spacing that makes the waves, so the curtain will just gather. Existing curtains can often be re-headed with S-fold tape by a workroom.

Can blackout fabric be used for S-fold?

Yes. Choose a supple blackout, or a dimout face fabric with a blackout lining. Very stiff coated blackouts can form uneven waves, so test a sample on the track first.

Why do my S-fold sheers flare at the bottom?

The hem is too light to hold the waves straight, or the fullness is too low. A weighted hem tape and 2 to 2.2 times fullness usually fix it.

Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?

Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing. Contact the JOTEX team to request samples or open a dealer account.