Pleats are evil!! [Archive]

Sweet Violet

09-08-2006, 11:55 AM

Ok, before I get totally and completely frustrated, how do you get pleats to stay put? I'm working with a light weight taffeta with embroidery and the pleats are 1" wide and 8~12" long. It irons beautifully, however the crease likes to um......go out? Does that make sense? Anyhoo, would I starch the material? Or what would make the crease REALLY stay? Help!! :faint

Lazy K

09-08-2006, 12:21 PM

I starch everything! But if you don't want that add some vinegar to the water in your spray bottle. That seems to help for some reason. Some fabric just doesn't hold a pleat but taffeta should. I LOVE pleats.

Plus if you are using the pleater thingy which I know you made, press the pleats again after you take it out of the pleater

Drusilla

09-08-2006, 04:48 PM

I do mine one at a time by hand with the iron, then pin (silk pins, they leave very little marks) the pleat down through all the layers pinning downward using as many as I need to keep it in place as I iron new ones. It uses a lot of pins but it sure keeps the little suckers in one place till I am ready to baste them together an put trim on. After I embellish the pleats with trim, I remove the pins and re-iron everything and the minute pin marks are gone.

Clancy

09-08-2006, 04:59 PM

Sweet Violet

I used the vinegar method for my silk gown for EOT. All the pleats were done using the fork method, but there was a lot of pressing involved. Dont forget this dress got hauled in a suitcase from one side of the world to the other and i only had to press them all again lightly to wear the dress.

I think the type of fabric you use also makes a difference, silk presses so nicely!

Sweet Violet

09-08-2006, 08:32 PM

Clancy, Lazy K and Dru, great ideas!! I do feel now like I can go and work on my dress without the feeling of intense frustration!!! Vinegar....interesting!! I wonder who said, "I wonder what would happen if I put vinegar in this here bottle and squirted it on my silk?" I will give it a try tonight!! And next time I pleat, I'll try the silk pins!! Thanks a whole bunch ladies!!

Sweet Violet

09-08-2006, 08:33 PM

Oh and Clancy, I LOVE that dress!!

Lizzie Marie

09-09-2006, 12:13 AM

I don't want to hear that pleats are evil :lalala I will be making some tomorrow in a faux linen....:faint

Sweet Violet

09-09-2006, 03:03 PM

TSK! TSK! TSK! I should not have said that!! Pleats are just wonderful!! Don't you worry about a thing Lizzie!! Just use your pleater thingy and add a little vinegar to your squirt bottle and use silk pins. I got these hints from very reliable and talented sources and as I found out, work!! You can do it!! I have the utmost confidence in you!!

Coffee Em

09-09-2006, 04:09 PM

I wonder who said, "I wonder what would happen if I put vinegar in this here bottle and squirted it on my silk?"

Probably the same person who looked at a lobster and said, "Y'know, we might be able to eat that...!" :rofl

Madame Olive Yew

09-09-2006, 05:18 PM

But not the same person (a man for sure) that said 4 1/2 " heals are a good idea. Can you say torture? That was a different peson that said vinegar in a spray bottle was a good idea.

Sweet Violet

09-09-2006, 07:39 PM

OR......a mushroom. I mean really. If you'd never seen a mushroom in your life, what would possibly induce you to put one in your mouth?

Garnet Rose

09-09-2006, 08:06 PM

And according to Terry Pratchett, all mushrooms are edible. Unfortunately, some of them aren't edible more than once. :w2

Madame Olive Yew

09-09-2006, 09:47 PM

Unless they're magic mushrooms!!!

Black Box Belle

09-12-2006, 02:41 PM

Okay I am going to be a complete novice and ask...."the vinegar method?" What does vinegar in the spray bottle do????:help

Coffee Em

09-12-2006, 03:27 PM

Chemically speaking, BBBelle, I have no idea. But spraying your pleats with a mixture of white vinegar and water (one source I've read recommends up to half vinegar, half water) and pressing them gives them a permanent-press-like crease, at least until the next time you launder 'em. Possibly beyond. I've seen this suggested to put a crease even in poly blends.
But as with most such stuff, test on a scrap or an inconspicuous place on the garment before going nuts with it, lest you get a whole new look to your fabric (!).

Goldie

09-12-2006, 05:24 PM

I really like the rajah pressing cloth I'm using that I bought from Clotilde.com
http://www.clotilde.com/cl/product_group.asp?topcatname=Tools&listtype=dept&subcat1=TO&subcat2=TO-26&catalog=CF05&dept_name=Pressing+Aids&pg=3&g_id=264450
But the vinegar and water is obviously much cheeper so that's a plus and you don't have to wait for shipping, and I would assume that vinegar is more pc (if you're concerned with that). Does it leave any smell on your fabric though?

Lazy K

09-12-2006, 06:33 PM

I've not noticed any smell but then I suspect my smeller has worn out.

Cinnamon Teal

09-12-2006, 06:56 PM

The vinegar method works for setting pleats and also for taking them out. The odor doesn't stick around either. Not sure why it works but it does! Learned that in my sewing classes in college.

Goldie

09-13-2006, 10:01 AM

Great!:ty :ty :ty

Allie Mo

09-14-2006, 06:35 PM

Hi Folks,

I don't know how this is going to work, as I'm making it for the Convention.

My pleats have a 1/4 inch hem. After they were done, but not attached to the garmet, I sewed the longest stitch (gathering) along the hem stitching (being careful to not pucker). I plan on taking them out before I wear the dress. I'm hoping that would be easier than ironing. Last year, the iron wasn't working correctly and spit water (water spots :eek:) on one of my dresses.

BTW, I did the vinager thingy in a 100% cotton and it held very well, even after washing.

Regards,

Allie Mo

Allie Mo

07-12-2007, 04:04 PM

Hello Sister Pleaters,

I just got out my Clotilde "Perfect Pleater" to do the pleats on my silver and lavender dress.

The instructions on it say to use one part vinegar to nine parts water.

Iona Vaquero

07-12-2007, 04:16 PM

I'm sure everyone has discussed this to death BI (before Iona), but let me know how you like the pleater. I think you've just clued me in on another something I just must have. Besides, after suggesting you add more pleats to your dress, I'm feeling guilty and need to pleat something in pennance.

Allie Mo

07-12-2007, 04:27 PM

Hey Iona, :rofl

You should do pennance for that...:lool

I have the one that makes 1/4 inch pleats. It still takes forever and they don't come out perfect. However, I think it makes it easier to press the pleats than it would if you were forking as you sew and press later. I still haven't tried the fork method. So, what do I know...

I think I'd like the 3/4 inch pleater. They are enough bigger that it wouldn't take so long and they still look pretty.

Hope this helps!

:go pleat

Lazy K

07-12-2007, 09:10 PM

Allie Mo = Another bad influence

I had to buy a "Perfect Pleater". Ah well, If I'm a Pleating Fool, I should have one.

Madame Olive Yew

07-12-2007, 09:13 PM

I didnt care for the Perfect pleater. I found it very hard to get the pleats out once they were in & "set"

Chantilly

07-12-2007, 10:31 PM

I love my perfect pleater. I just pleat so there is a little hanging over the end, iron it well, sew the end while its still in the pleater and then take it out. Works great!

Chantilly (who still has pleats for the Worth dress in the Perfect Pleater...for 3 months now - ought to be good and set...got to get back to the Worth dress.....)

Ida Hands

07-13-2007, 08:42 AM

Great idea! I don't think I would have thought of leaving one edge out. :tban

Madame Olive Yew

07-13-2007, 08:56 AM

:blush That's probably what I was doing wrong. Maybe I'll give it another try.

Lazy K

07-13-2007, 09:12 AM

I have the one that makes 1/4 inch pleats. It still takes forever and they don't come out perfect. However, I think it makes it easier to press the pleats than it would if you were forking as you sew and press later. I still haven't tried the fork method. So, what do I know...

I think I'd like the 3/4 inch pleater. They are enough bigger that it wouldn't take so long and they still look pretty.

Allie, Can't you just skip some pleats to get 3/4" pleats? Of course it's still only 1/4" on the back side.

Allie Mo

07-13-2007, 10:17 AM

Allie, Can't you just skip some pleats to get 3/4" pleats? Of course it's still only 1/4" on the back side.Yes, but like you said, they are only 1/4 on the back. I would hope that the 3/4 pleater is deeper.

Kitty Phann

07-13-2007, 10:15 PM

Love my perfect pleater! Chantilly I do the very same thing. Hang about 1/2 over the pleater and baste it down before I take it off the pleater. Also running painter's tape down the middle to hold it in place.

Ida Hands

07-14-2007, 10:57 PM

Painter's Tape! :faint YEGADS! That is such a simple idea! I get "the rolling dorks" from this thread. I can't believe how many GREAT IDEAS are out there that don't reach my brain. I don't think I am using my head enough. I better return it for a smaller one!

Lazy K

07-14-2007, 11:21 PM

I couldn't get tape to stick to my fabric the one time I tried it. I just use lots and lots and lots of pins.

Kitty Phann

07-15-2007, 08:53 AM

I ge t the really wide stuff, about 3" at the dollar store.

Lazy K

07-15-2007, 09:46 AM

I didn't try the wide stuff. I'll do that next time.

Clancy

07-17-2007, 09:18 PM

I made one of those pleaters from Allis instructions she had posted on here ages ago. I used it and yes they work fine, but i really think that the fork method is just too simple and so easy to do. And as others have mentioned, different sized fork tines can give you the various size pleats you want.

Lazy K

07-17-2007, 09:44 PM

I must be one of those "special" people we've heard about here lately. I can not, no matter how hard I try, do fork pleats. It is just beyond my skills!

Fannie Kikinshoot

07-17-2007, 09:51 PM

I must be one of those "special" people we've heard about here lately. I can not, no matter how hard I try, do fork pleats. It is just beyond my skills!

You and I must be cut from the same bolt of cloth, because the only thing I can do with a fork is eat!

Drusilla

07-17-2007, 09:54 PM

Ha Fannie, that goes for me too! My forks stay in the kitchen. I am so old fashioned sometimes, :lool . I still make all my pleats by hand with lots of pins and the iron, using a yardstick for straightness and perfect pleat width. No tape, no machines, no vinegar just my little fingers and lots of steam....:sewing

Fannie Kikinshoot

07-17-2007, 10:00 PM

Victoria Rose Hyde

07-18-2007, 08:47 AM

Yup me too. That's what I did on my ball gown. First time I did pleats. Didn't know there was any other way.LOL:lool :lool :lool

Allie Mo

08-13-2007, 05:23 PM

Hello,

I've "heard" y'all "talking" about using the "Perfect Pleater." Here's how I use mine.

When you push in a pleat, sometimes the previous one wants to crawl in the slot with the new one. I use the longer ruler to prevent that.

I finish the edge of each group of pleats (the length of the pleater) before I pull the fabric out of the pleater.

I hope this helps someone who is new to the PP.

Victoria Rose Hyde

08-13-2007, 05:25 PM

:ty Allie Mo: What a Great Idea.

Lazy K

08-13-2007, 06:11 PM

Yep, I had the edge of the fabric hang over my pleater and sewed before pulling it out AND I used the wide masking tape down the middle of the pleats to hold them in place. Works great!

Madamekat

08-13-2007, 09:04 PM

Wow! I have learned so much on this post! I LOVE pleats and made them using the Perfect Pleater for my black and silver striped gown BUT they didn't stay crisp at all and I thought there was nothing I could do.

THANK YOU for all these wonderful ideas! *putting white vinegar on shopping list*

May B Quicker

11-16-2007, 07:33 PM

Denise

11-17-2007, 08:39 AM

All - I use most of the techniques that have been mentioned here as well.

One other thing that can be done (if the back of the pleats are unseen) is ....

Use the perfect pleater, remove and iron again in place right away, then use a strip of fusible interfacing or Wiggin across the top. It can be sewn right into the seam. It won't show unless someone 'looks' for it!

For those of you that don't know what Wiggin is, (not sure if it is spelled with one g or two), it is a strip of fusible bias about 1 inch wide. It is marvelous for interfacing skirt hems that require a bit of extra facing to hold their shape, or anywhere else. ESPECIALLY those 1890's curved bottom hems. I use it for a multitude of applications.
Denise

Allie Mo

11-17-2007, 11:11 AM

The Perfect Pleater sounds great! Im in the middle of trying to make one. At this point Im about ready to give up. The Pellon is so stiff I need 3 hands to fold it, then it wont stay folded, even after pressing with starch. Ive bent a half a dozen pins trying to pin this stuff. Maybe I bought the wrong kind of Pellon? It was all they had at Wally World, so it's what I got.Hi May,

I know that Tornado Alli gave a class in making these things. However, I would just buy one from
http://www.clotilde.com/

Good luck with whatever you end up doing.

Denise, thank you for the tip.

May B Quicker

11-17-2007, 01:37 PM

Allie, I did get one made, I used the class & instructions from here but I am not happy with it. The pellon I used was very stiff and hard to work with, plus, I had a fight with a straight pin and IT won,, about 1/4 " into my thumb:faint.
I went to the Clotilde website, and Im going to just buy one , It will make my life a whole lot easier.:ban

Weaver Gal

11-18-2007, 07:16 AM

I just did all my little pleats by hand because my machine pleater does such an uneven job. It was a nightmare and took me several days, an hour at a time! So glad for all the good info about Perfect Pleater. I ordered one and am hopeful it will make pleats a lot more fun in the future. Thanks for all the good advice, Ladies!!! :tban:tban:ty:ty

SpudzMum

11-18-2007, 11:39 AM

The Perfect Pleater sounds great! Im in the middle of trying to make one. At this point Im about ready to give up. The Pellon is so stiff I need 3 hands to fold it, then it wont stay folded, even after pressing with starch. Ive bent a half a dozen pins trying to pin this stuff. Maybe I bought the wrong kind of Pellon? It was all they had at Wally World, so it's what I got.

I've made a couple of pleating boards and found that the best way to get the folds to go where you want them is to lightly 'score' your pellon (we call it vilene over here) with the point of your scissors before applying it to your covering fabric. This should give you nice sharp creases that stay in place without having to resort to drastic measures! Hope this is helpful.

Allie Mo

08-14-2008, 07:49 PM

Hello,

I just thought I agreed that pleats were evil. Knife pleats are a snap!

These box pleats with knife pleats are a real pain. I get so tired of them that I can only do about two repeats before I have to go play with the critters.

Once I get the pleats on the skirt, it's on to the black trim.

BTW, the costume on the left is my pink and black polka dot dress for the Convention.

Allie Mo

08-15-2008, 02:22 PM

Here it is 12:22 of pleating day two and I have managed to think of excuses to postpone starting... :go

Bloomin'

08-15-2008, 02:36 PM

Here it is 12:22 of pleating day two and I have managed to think of excuses to postpone starting... :go

Do you need a :chockiss or a :chugand :pcor maybe a;phoneor a little:kbuttor :cmp????? Maybe just ruffles instead of pleats? :rofl

Hannah K. Gelt

08-15-2008, 06:46 PM

Do you need a :chockiss or a :chugand :pcor maybe a;phoneor a little:kbuttor :cmp????? Maybe just ruffles instead of pleats? :rofl

:lool :fun :lool

Allie Mo

08-15-2008, 06:47 PM

Whew! They are done. I'll attach them tomorrow. Then the fun begins. :tban

PS This would solve the problem and hubby has threatened it. :cmp

Bloomin'

08-15-2008, 08:56 PM

Whew! They are done. I'll attach them tomorrow. Then the fun begins. :tban

PS This would solve the problem and hubby has threatened it. :cmp

Yay Allie Mo! Please don't let hubby :cmp. We live in there - well, some of the time anyway!!

Sweet Violet

08-16-2008, 11:35 AM

I love you Allie Mo!!! You are just like me!! Anything to put off the pleating!!!:rofl That dress will look fabulous!! Can't wait to see it!!! :jp :jp :jp

Ima Darlin'

08-17-2008, 01:15 PM

beautiful dress!

Dixie McCan

08-27-2008, 07:04 AM

Bloomin' YankeeQuote:
Originally Posted by Allie Mo http://www.carolinabelles.net/vb/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.carolinabelles.net/vb/showthread.php?p=193722#post193722)
Whew! They are done. I'll attach them tomorrow. Then the fun begins. :tban

PS This would solve the problem and hubby has threatened it. :cmp

Yay Allie Mo! Please don't let hubby :cmp. We live in there - well, some of the time anyway!!

Allie Mo! Bloomin' is so right! The most wonderful, creative friends live here! Your plate is beautiful and I can hardly wait to see photos!