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Member since 9/27/02
Posts: 56
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Posted on: 9/4/09 2:43 PM ET
I'm sewing up pinch pleat silk draperies with an interlining and a block-out lining. I'm having a problem with sewing the pleats together. It gets very bulky. I am using buckram for the header. I trimmed the lining and the interlining but when I pinched them to sew all the layers down, there is still a lot of bulk. Should I eliminate the buckram to reduce the bulk? I'm afraid it might not look right without the buckram.
-- Edited on 9/4/09 5:06 PM --
  
Member since 2/9/04
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Posted on: 9/4/09 6:32 PM ET
In reply to slee
You're right, it does get thick but should still be do-able. The block-out lining may be adding to the bulk but if you need it, you need it. Don't eliminate the buckram if it is the nice, thin, stiff, crispy stuff. You'll need it to support the headers. Calico Corners tried to sell me some sort of puffy non-woven buckram and I ran from it. That stuff was thick.

I did pinch pleat drapes on my 1130 fourteen years ago and it seemed like the entire pleat was higher than the presser foot when it was in a normal raised position. I used regular lining and home dec fabric. The only problem I encountered was some skipped stitches. Once I switched to a size 100 or 110 jeans/denim/sharp needle, and put Sewers Aid on the needle every several stitches, I had no more problems.

You should be okay. Do you have some scraps you can use to make an exact duplicate the layers and do a test stitch-out?

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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
  
Member since 8/17/05
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Posted on: 9/4/09 7:04 PM ET
I agree with Doris, you need the buckram for support. It will still be bulky, but you might have better luck tacking your pleat just below the buckram. If all else fails, a really big hand sewing needle and pliers will do the trick. =)

Alathia
  
Member since 3/6/09
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Posted on: 9/5/09 10:46 PM ET
I'd try to keep the buckram, too. Did you trim the blackout & interlining to 4 inches & leave the face fabric 8 inches over finished length?
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Member since 9/27/02
Posts: 56
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Posted on: 9/8/09 8:45 AM ET
In reply to M.S.
Yes, I trimmed both blackout and interlining to 4 inches. It is still very bulky. I cannot put the pinched pleats under my sewing machine's pressure foot. I tried hand sewing by tacking the pleats with a very large needle, but it was still difficult to pull the needle through all the thickness even using pliers/tongs. I'm going to try the sewer's aid and a lightweight buckram and see what happens. Thanks everyone!
  
Member since 3/6/09
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Posted on: 9/8/09 9:05 AM ET
Oh, it was the tacking of the pleats. I misunderstood & thought you couldn't get the initial fold sewn in. I run into this a lot, with pinch pleats being too thick to tack on my machine. I've hand stitched a lot of them & broken a lot of hand needles. You may want to try a "leather" hand sewing needle. It pierces through the buckram. I've broken them doing this, though. It is hard! Sometimes I have to grab my needle nose pliers to get the needle pulled through. Sounds like you've gone through all the motions I have.
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Janome Skyline S5
Brother PQ1500S
Singer 201-2
Pfaff 138-6
Janome Coverpro 1000
Juki MO-655DE
US Blindstitch 718-9
Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ
Bernette B70 Deco
  
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Posted on: 9/8/09 9:12 PM ET
In reply to slee
While walking the dog this evening, I was pondering your situation and had a thought.

Why couldn't you trim the flannel interlining so that it only overlaps the bottom of the buckram by 1/2 inch. Maybe even serge the raw edge if you have a serger.

Then, Stitch the interlining to the buckram where it overlaps, but *behind* the buckram, with a straight stitch, and then run a second seam right next to it approx. 1/8" away to really secure it and keep it from fraying.

Stitch the flannel to the 'back' of the buckram so there's not a big lump in the front along the seam. Where all three layers are together, it would be silk, buckram, flannel, silk again where header has been folded over.

Then you could stop your pleat stitches right above where the flannel is attached to the buckram. That way, the stitched portion of the pleats are only going through the silk & buckram.

This is just thinking out loud. Definitely make a sample with some scraps.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
  
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