Glorious pleating tool!

[bellalye]

As I was browsing around the web for ideas on how to pleat my Jli Kurdi, I stumbled upon a fascinating and hereforeto unknown tool that I figured would be of interest to my fellow customers.

First, from quick google search, I found *this page* http://www.mariegracedesigns.com/marie_grace/2009/03/handpleating-fabric-tutorial.html .  The fourth picture down caught my eye, and immediately appeared as a tool that could make the process of cartridge pleating for hours a thing of the past.

From there I hunted down *this youtube video* http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fyNd2Dp3mEs#! , which shows how user friendly the gadget is.

Discouraged by the prices I was finding from retailers, a *quick ebay search* http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=smocking+pleater&_sacat=See-All-Categories , showed that you can find it for around $60.  

When I get home from Iraq I am SO getting one!    

[LadyStitch]

Ahhh a smocking pleater.  I started doing smocking last week.  All that pleating is a pain in the back side but it turns out amazing.

[Rowan MacD]

   On a sort of  related topic-I need to do my overskirt by hand...Should I get an extra long needle to cartridge pleat? 

[Lady Rosalind]

   On a sort of  related topic-I need to do my overskirt by hand...Should I get an extra long needle to cartridge pleat? 

I just use a needle that's about 2 inches long. A doll making needle would actually work pretty well, though! Word of advice: Use a hand quilting thread in a slightly darker shade (if you can't find a perfect match), and get some beeswax to wax the thread for easier pulling and less tangling. And take two stitches in the top of the pleat when you sew it to the waistband.

I know I've said it before, but I can't wait to see your new garb!