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Pleats? I don't know how...
mrsohly   Beginner VA USA Member since 12/2/11 Posts: 79	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/10/13 10:41 AM Okay, this seems so straight forward, yet my mind won't process it. I am working on my muslin for Simplicity 1877, version B. I can't seem to wrap my little brain around how to pin & sew the pleats in the front of the skirt. The stitching line indicated on the pattern piece does not seem to match up to the instructions. Does anyone have a photo of how to fold/pin/sew pleats? I'm sure it's as simple as darts, but I'm just not getting it! Thanks in advance! Kathy O. -- Edited on 3/10/13 10:42 AM -- ------ Kathy O. No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else. ~Charles Dickens
mgmsrk1 Intermediate NY Member since 12/16/12 Posts: 92	Login to reply to this post In reply to mrsohly << 1 member likes this. Date: 3/10/13 12:02 PM http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2008/05/learn-how-to-make-a-pleat/ That blog may help you. I don't know what the patterns calls for but I would suggest very small pleats. Larger pleats can be dating and just don't look good on most people, especially around the midsection. How many people WANT to look bigger there?
EleanorSews   Advanced MI USA Member since 7/26/07 Posts: 3754 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 3/10/13 12:18 PM Looks like there are 3 pleats on either side of the center front skirt of dress B. basically you bring the two lines of the pleat together and, in this case, the "fold" of the pleat orients to the center front of the skirt. If the pleat is sewn down in any way, the pleat will be marked with a stitching line ( or should be). Sometimes you need to read and re-read the pattern instructions over and over. I often use a fabric scrap to test how the pleat is folded. Sometimes I just don't get it, even after all these years. But I haven't done lots and lots of pleats so it helps me to see it better. ------ "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin "Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal." unknown
Fictionfan   Advanced VT USA Member since 5/19/06 Posts: 1168	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 3/10/13 12:51 PM Same as making a dart, without the angles or points. If you sewed the length of the pleat, it would look like a straight dart. You anchor the fold by stitching across the width instead of stitching the length, though sometimes pleats do have a bit of stitching along the length to establish the fold. ------ Fictionfan
mrsohly   Beginner VA USA Member since 12/2/11 Posts: 79	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/10/13 8:15 PM Thanks. This is proof positive that learning a new skill when tired is not optimal. The pleats actually turned out quite nice. Now I will cut into my fashion fabric... something I almost never do. I did go ahead with a lot of the finishes on the dress to make sure I got in some practice. I have a whole week off to practice and make perfect before I head some place tropical where I hope to be wearing some of my own garments. ------ Kathy O. No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else. ~Charles Dickens

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