Replies

1. 
   cynthia2 | Jul 06, 2007 05:09am | #1

   Hi Paula.  I use a mixture of water and white vinegar to permanently set pleats.  Just mix a tablespoon of vinegar to about a cup of water (approximate is fine) and spray it on the pleats.  Then press with as hot an iron as your fabric will handle.  I have a pleated skirt I made four years ago and haven't had any problem with the pleats.  Two caveats.  Check to make sure your silk won't be stained or discolored by the vinegar solution.  Check it on a scrap first.  Also, you mention washing the skirt.  You might want to press a pleat into a scrap and then wash/dry the scrap and see if the pleat holds.  I dry clean most of my things, so I don't know how well this will hold up to washing.  Hope it works.  Best, Cynthia.

2. 
   BernaWeaves | Jul 06, 2007 04:56pm | #2

   Polyester will pleat permanently if heated (steamed).

   Silk is harder to pleat permanently, as humidity or water will make the pleat fall out.

   Mario Fortuny invented permanent pleating in 1907, and his Delphos dresses are still pleated today, however, I'm betting that nobody has washed them on a weekly basis, and they are stored coiled up when not being worn to preserve their pleats. 

   Nobody knows how he set his pleats permanently, but I think I have a good idea.   Human hair and silk are both protein fibers and can be dyed and curled using the same processes.  Hair permanents were invented in 1906.  Fortuny came out with his pleated Delphos dresses in 1907.  It didn't take too much for me to put 2 and 2 together.   It's still on my TO DO list, but I plan on making a pleated scarf and giving it a hair permanent following the package directions, and seeing if that does the job.

   Berna

3. 
   Ralphetta | Jul 07, 2007 05:37am | #3

   There are professional companies that do this.  I had a floor-lenght circle skirt pleated in a sunburst pattern for a very, very resonable sum.  It held up beautifully.

1. 
   proegge | Jul 11, 2007 12:58am | #4

   Do you happen to know the names of any of these companies?ThanksPaula

1. 
   Ralphetta | Jul 11, 2007 03:09am | #5

   I'm afraid the local company I used has gone out of business.  I remember a few months ago that there was a discussion of this.  It's possible someone gave names at that time.  If you use the SEARCH you might be able to find it.  Wish I could be of more help, because I was pleased with the results.  It was a wool jersey evening gown with a sunburst  pleated skirt.

4. 
   nancynancy | Jul 20, 2007 02:20pm | #6

   If your fabric is made of polyester or a polyester blend, you can use the Rajah Press Cloth. I bought mine at Hancock's. You can also find it at Clotilde.com. I pressed a crease into a pair of poly/rayon/lycra pants I sewed, and the crease is still there after several washings.

   Nancy