Adding pleats to a skirt, dress, or curtains is a classic finishing touch.When working with sturdy fabrics such as wool, cotton, and silk, pleats work best.Basic pleats can be made by measuring and marking your fabric, folding it, and sewing to secure it.
Step 1: When you cut the fabric, make room for the pleats.
Make sure you have enough fabric left to create the pleats before you start measuring and marking them.You can reduce the size of your item if it won't fit.Determine how wide each of the pleats will be and how many pleats you want to add to a pattern that doesn't include pleats.Add the number of pleats by the width of each to your total fabric length.Adding 12 in (30 cm) of fabric to the total length is needed to add 4 pleats that are 3 in wide each.If you follow a pattern that includes pleats, it will take this into account.
Step 2: If you want your fabric to be flat and smooth, spread it out in a single layer.
You can place the fabric on a table or a clean area of a hard floor.If you want to smooth the fabric out with your hands, position it with the right side facing up.You should pre-wash, dry, and iron the fabric you are using to make your item.This will help to make sure that the fabric is flat.
Step 3: If you want the first pleat to be, draw a line.
Measure from the edge of your fabric to the desired location of the first pleat and follow the instructions in your pattern.A straight line can be drawn from the top edge of the fabric using chalk, a fabric marker, and a ruler.To avoid permanently marking your fabric, it is important to use chalk or a fabric marker.If you want the pleats to go straight down from the top edge of the fabric, you have to position them in a certain way.
Step 4: There is a second parallel line from the first.
If you prefer, you can make your pleats wider or narrower.You can measure from the edge of the first line.You should draw a parallel line to the first one.If you want to make knife pleats, this is the only other line you need to use.
Step 5: To make inverted or box pleats, mark the center of the 2 lines and draw a line between them.
The point in the center of the 2 parallel lines is where inverted or box pleats can be created.Draw a third line between them.This line should be parallel to the first two lines.This line will be used to guide the folding of the other 2 sections of fabric.
Step 6: Continue to mark where you want the pleats to go.
Measure and mark as many times as necessary to create the desired amount of pleats.You can make more pleats than you have accounted for.If you add pleats to a pattern, you may end up with an ill-fitting item.
Step 7: The first line you drew, pinch the top edge of the fabric.
There is a row of parallel pleat lines.The fabric should be pinched along the line at the top.To crease it, use your thumb and index finger to pinch the rest of the line.The fabric should be held at the top of the line.It is important to hold the position at the top of the fabric and make the fold precisely where you marked it.
Step 8: Pin the fabric over the middle line.
Bring the fabric that you are pinching over to the center line.To make it even with the center line, press down along the folded edge.There is a pin near the top edge of the fabric.Bring the pinched fabric over to the second line you drew and pin it in place if you want to create knife pleats.For the next set of lines, repeat this.You can make pleats that go in the same direction if you keep folding the fabric this way.
Step 9: You should repeat the process for the second line.
locate the second line that you drew if you are creating an inverted or box pleat.Just as you did for the first line, pinch it at the top and crease the fabric along the line.To meet the other folded edge, fold the fabric over to the center line.Place a pin through the folded fabric to hold it in place.The mirror image of the first fold is what the second fold will look like.If you are making knife pleats, which are pleats that all go in the same direction, you don't have to do this.
Step 10: Continue until you have secured all of them.
After securing the first pleat with a pin, repeat the process to secure the next one.Take the first line, pinch it, fold it over, and secure it with a pin.Continue until all of your pleats are secured with pins, then repeat for the other side.
Step 11: The sewing machine should be set to the straight stitch setting.
The straight stitch is all you need to hold your pleats in place.If you're unsure, check your user manual for the setting of number 1 on sewing machines.If you want to check the positioning and fit before sewing, choose the widest stitch setting on your sewing machine.If the fit is off and you need to adjust your pleats, this will create a loose line of straight stitches that you can easily remove.
Step 12: The fabric needs to be placed under the needle and presser foot.
Place the fabric under the needle by raising the presser foot.The stitches will be close to the top edge of the fabric if the needle is positioned correctly.To hold the fabric in place, lower the presser foot.There should be a lever near your presser foot that you can use to lower it.You should consult your instruction manual if you can't find it.
Step 13: There is a straight stitch from the top edge of the fabric.
Place the pedal on the edge of the fabric to begin sewing.Use a straight line from one end to the other.Lift the presser foot and needle to remove the fabric from the sewing machine.You may damage your machine if you sew across the pins.
Step 14: The pleats should be pressed with an iron to make them look neat.
After sewing the pleats, lay the fabric on the ironing board or towel on a table or other flat surface.The pleats should be iron at the top of the fabric.To crease the entire pleat, move the iron down to the bottom edge of the fabric.This will make your fabric look neat and crisp.