pleat trick?

A dear neighbor has gone quite mad about her new embroidery machine. She's brought me a pattern for a size 2 little girl dress that would be perfect for her new skill. It is a very simple a-line dress. It has a pleat on each side from center shoulder down to hem edge. The pleat is 'released' about 3" down from the shoulder seam. Neighbor wants me to show her how to construct the dress so it's perfectly finished. Mercy. It's been about 40 years, maybe more, since I put pleats in anything. It seems like there was a smart touch that kept a pleat sharp. I do remember that the dress had to be hemmed before stitching so the crease would be all the way to the edge. Do you stitch about one thread away from the pleat to keep it nice and sharp? Do you press a thread of Thread Fuse into the crease on the inside? Any thoughts? Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther
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Depending on the fabric, you can press and use a clapper on the pleat (make sure the fabric is completely cool and dry before moving it)... a chunk of

2x4 will work in a pinch; you can press on bare wood to produce a very sharp crease (great for quilt blocks, btw.). You can try the fusible thread on the inside of the crease trick (never did much for me) or you can edgestitch the pleat. There's also a treated press cloth called a rajah cloth that helps with some fabrics.

Kay

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

Ah. Yes. Thank you Kay. I'd forgotten about the bare wood help. There's a lovely board here - well, board is downright disrespectful - it is a handsome length of pecan that sets a mighty fine pleat. I managed to confiscate it when our floors were being repaired many years ago. It is a big help when a quilt block has way too many seams coming together. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

Polly, if it's not too late you might want to try dampening the fabric with plain old white vinegar (of course do a trial first just in case). It works to set creases or to get rid of them. My mom or grandma told me about this years ago to take the creases out of skirts when the hem was being let down. Yes, I went to school in the old days before they "allowed" girls to wear anything but skirts and blouses or dresses to school. Must be why I rarely wear anything but pants.

Judie

Reply to
Judie in Penfield NY

Nope. Not too late. I'm thinking I'd better write some notes on the pattern so we'll remember them all 'every' time and the white vinegar one is a happy addition. Thank you, Judie. Polly

"Judie in Penfield NY"

Reply to
Polly Esther

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