Pleats and ruffles

[madamemodiste]

I got two rows of pleats and two rows of double ruffles onto the gown. I made the pleats and the ruffles were pre-purchased trim. Then I put satin bias tape over the join of the pleats/ruffles.

Progress photos:

making the pleats with Beth's antique pleater. I used 22 yards of 60" fabric. The pleats are 5" wide.





After I ironed the pleats into place, I removed them from the pleater, reset them into place, and used masking tape to hold them in place until I could baste them. Then I rolled up that section and did it again eleventy billion times.



Here are two rows of pleats



Then I sewed on two layers of double ruffles and covered the join with satin bias tape. They are made of pleated chiffon, and were very fiddly so I had to pin them about every inch and a half. Took forever, but I love it. Looks like the fashion plate!



Then I ripped off the overskirt because I realized that I have to fix it. The fashion plate has ruffles covering the whole thing, but I did side pleats that created drapes. I can't attach ruffles over draping and folds, so those have to come out. I also have to get a dart into the overskirt so it doesn't bunch up all weird, but lays nice and flat so I can get the trim on.

Comments

exquisite!

[dinahprincedaly.livejournal.com]

the antique pleater is amazing... are some of the teeth higher than others? do you have to make the pleats always the same measure? does one side pop off or do you have to thread the fabric through from the end?

Re: exquisite!

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

I posted a photo of the pleater below. It's just like a heating floor vent but with "legs". You use a metal "stick" to push the fabric through. You can push it through any of the slats (I pushed it through every other three), so your pleats can be any width you want, and the repeat can be any depth you want by pushing it down a lot or a little.