Replies

1. 
   NansiM | Sep 28, 2002 03:35pm | #1

   Ok, take a deep breath and sigh in resignation!  I wish I could tell you otherwise, but you WILL have to iron to set those pleats.  There used to be a company in Chicago (I think) that you could send your fabric to and they would pleat it and set them for you.  You could do a search and see if this service is still offered.

      But if you want to try it yourself, here are a couple of tips:  Be sure you cut fabric on grain as it will show up in the way the pleats hang.  I like to use snip markings at the top and bottom of the pleat lines (IF they're all the way down the piece, that is)  and use them as my folding guides.  I lightly press them in first, to see how they work on the body.  Then, in the final press, I use my press cloth dipped in a 1 part vinegar to four parts water and wrung out well to set the pleats.  this usually works quite well.  I was brought up doing them in my school uniform skirt-ugghhh!  But they do look nice and crisp done this way!

   Happy Pleating!

2. 
   ElonaM | Sep 28, 2002 06:57pm | #2

   Yeah, you'll have to iron the thing. One technique I used years ago, when I was still interested in ironing, was to edge-stitch the pleats, either on one edge or both, but doing this depends on the fabric and style of the skirt. It won't work for all garments, but it does help hold the line on some. You might try making some samples to see if you like the effect.