Replies

1. 
   Josefly | Oct 30, 2006 07:09am | #1

   Adeana, if you are using a commercial pattern, it might help if you post your pattern number so we can see what you're doing. The back of your pattern envelope should tell you if pre-pleated fabric is required. If it doesn't, are there instructions included inside the envelope, or pleating guidelines marked on the pattern pieces. Is the skirt only pleated, or the entire dress?

1. 
   adeana | Nov 01, 2006 02:21am | #3

   i'm not using a pattern i just have a picture- the entire dress seems to be pleated, with the exception of the sleeves

2. 
   Ralphetta | Oct 30, 2006 08:51am | #2

   If you are having it pleated commercially I would definitely ask them how they want to do it...before I cut anything.  The place I have used for sunburst pleating had me cut the pieces..then they pleated  the unstitched pieces and returned them to me for assembly.  Different companies may do it differently.

1. 
   adeana | Nov 01, 2006 02:28am | #4

   the fabric store told the woman who bought the fabric that the dressmaker should make the pattern pieces first then they'll pleat it-but i'm the dressmaker and i've never made a pattern for a pleated dress, all i have is a picture to work from which is usually not a problem- but i do not know how to calculate this- i'm thinking that maybe i should pleat the fabric first and then cut out the pattern(keepint the pleats closed,if possible) like a regular dress(i think i'm in way overmy head)

   adeana

1. 
   Ralphetta | Nov 01, 2006 03:11am | #5

   The fabric store is doing the pleating?  If it were me I would not depend on someone else.  I would contact the company doing the pleating and not depend on your client's version of what was said.  The client may/may not know what questions to ask.

2. 
   Ralphetta | Nov 01, 2006 03:22am | #6

   Also, maybe YOU should do the checking about where to have it pleated.  I'll bet the fabric store is sending it somewhere else. 

   My experience was with a sunburst pleated evening gown.  It was a full circle of wool jersey.  I was lucky and had a company in town that specializes in pleating.  I'm guessing that they get a lot of their business from out of town.  In my case I knew I had more than enough fabric.  They told me not to do anything.  I sent the fabric, they cut out the 2 pieces  of 60 inch fabric needed to make a circle, pleated them and sent the whole thing back to me.

   I had the pleated pieces to experiment before I decided what I wanted to do.