Refer this overview. You may have the wrong hooks, for your curtains. Make sure you gather the curtains evenly by pulling the cord from each end. https://www.dunelm.com/info/buying-guides/how-to-hang-curtains

You have the wrong size hooks. Try a smaller size.

I agree with Big reader, you need smaller hooks.

I agree with Jo M, you have them on the wrong way

They are the right way round. Just wrong size.

You might get s better finish with gathering hooks.

you need hooks with hook bit at the top and a long prong below....i have same style curtains..

I agree with JoM you do have them upside down but you would still see the single hook so smaller hooks that only come to the top level of the curtain, it's been a long time since I've made curtains, but there's an amazing choice of fittings. I wonder do you need a gathering header or could you just use the black rings attached to the flat curtain spaced to give the correct look, spacing

Wrong hook all together, they are pinch pleated hooks, for a pinch pleat curtain.
You need a little one think they use to be called k7 hooks. For a gathered curtain.
Go and ask for hooks for a gathered curtain.

Also place at the top slot.
The higher the hook the lower the curtain!
Is the way I use to remember it when I worked in soft furnishings dept.

similar to this with no gathering

Dreamer has it wright, but put it the next level up, so it hangs from the bottom of your black decorative ring.

The long part of the hook goes between the ‘front’ of the curtain and the tape and holds the top of the curtain up properly, the hook is then (usually) in the correct place. — If you really can’t get that long part between the fabric layers then use a different hook. — If you have a Spotlight nearby take the curtain and the hooks and get help :) — that style of hook comes with the hook in different places so you can exactly adjust the top of the curtain to cover the rail. —- My family were avid knitters, dressmakers and curtain engineers for draughty windows.

Suggest you measure the width you want each curtain to cover, including the retained end and the overlap at the centre - and then lay the curtain flat and draw the strings to make the curtain the correct width. Then lay your hooks out evenly spaced across the curtain top - count the hooks and the rings - do they match? If not you will get baggy areas. - this is why those curtains with holes in them are so popular now, much easier to hang. — I really like having a draw cord at the side of large long curtains — stops them bouncing off the hooks :)

Good morning, the hooks you are using are commonly used in ready made pinch pleat heading curtains. The headers on these are usually larger (around 7.5cm) that is why for your gathered curtains with a smaller heading the hook is sticking out above.
For a gathered curtain the hook is smaller (see photo) and can be placed at 3 different points to affect height of curtain from floor/rod. You should allow one hook per 10-12cm of pole.

Custom made with hand sewn finishes (rather than ready machine made) is my area of expertise. As a side note I hand sew my triple/double pleated heading usually with a 10cm heading and using different hooks - the results are much better with looks & functionality. One of the advantages is that the pleat gently fans out, rather than rigidly being pushed together by the hook being used on the gather curtain above.

All the best, Louise, Decoro Custom Interiors - Window Treatment Specialist, Sydney.