After sewing, lay the fabric flat on the floor facing down.
Putting it all together:
Attach the mechanical top onto the fabric using fabric glue. Make sure you are sticking the right side. Make sure it is centered and even as well 
Lightly mark your fabric with a pencil depending on the length of your pleats. Again make sure that your measurements are equal on both sides.
Brush the rounded side of the plastic strip with fabric glue and carefully press it onto the fabric. Repeat these last two steps of measuring and gluing until you have attached all small strips.
Let it dry overnight. Use some weight to put at the ends to make sure it is spread out.
Finally stick the ends of the fabric to the thick slats using glue gun.
Make sure not to obstruct the top mechanism where the brackets will be attached for hanging.
Now you are ready to hang and test it!
Source: 365 Days 2 Simplicity