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Faire Garb => Sewing => Topic started by: uhurainmi on May 08, 2008, 10:31:16 AM

Title: Help with box pleating error.
Post by: uhurainmi on May 08, 2008, 10:31:16 AM
Hi,

I just figured out what happened to this site. Whew! thought it was gone.

ANYWAY, MY QUESTION:

I have a reasonable(130") to box pleat to a 36" bodice. I folded it in half, put the middle at the front of the skirt, pleated the left side from front to back and it came out even. When I got to the back, I had the right amount of fabric.

Then I pleated the right side from the front to the back and ended up with almost a foot of extra fabric.

Should I cut in at an angle and make a 'gore' out of it? What should I do?

Thank you,

Cindy
Title: Re: Help with box pleating error.
Post by: DonaCatalina on May 08, 2008, 10:51:19 AM
It's possible your fabric 'drifted' while you were pleating.

As much as I hate to say it, I'd recommend redoing all the pleating before you cut anything.   :(

Check twice, cut once .
Title: Re: Help with box pleating error.
Post by: uhurainmi on May 08, 2008, 02:49:27 PM
well, i asked for your advice.

Thanks. time to experience the Zen of Unsewing!
Title: Re: Help with box pleating error.
Post by: gem on May 08, 2008, 02:54:51 PM
Yup--I replied to your original post in the old forum and said the same thing.  Rip it out and do it again.  You will be MUCH happier.

And, ok, just because this just occurred to me: fuss with the pleats and get them perfect BEFORE you sew.  You'll be pinning like a madwoman, but it'll save you grief in the end. :)
Title: Re: Help with box pleating error.
Post by: sealion on May 08, 2008, 05:25:47 PM
I agree that it would be best to pick it out and redo the whole skirt pinning the pleats before sewing. However, if you really can't bear to redo the whole thing, here's another idea: Undo part of the finished side then see if you can't fiddle with the skirt and do stacked box pleats in the center back to get everything to fit to the bodice waist. That isn't an uncommon way of doing the pleats and it makes the skirt a little fuller in the back.
Title: Re: Help with box pleating error.
Post by: Kate XXXXXX on May 09, 2008, 04:18:00 AM
As I said on the old site, another re-do from star fan here!  I divide the fabric in 4 and pleat in sections.
Title: Re: Help with box pleating error.
Post by: uhurainmi on May 09, 2008, 11:28:00 AM
two things:
1. I did not divide in four sections like i should have, only two halves.
2. I was thinking of trying to stack the pleats in the back. if they looks funky, i will rip it out and start over.
Thank you ladies!!!
Title: Re: Help with box pleating error.
Post by: FaireMare on May 10, 2008, 02:31:38 AM
I always start my pleating from the center back seam.

I then Pin to the waistband, alternating sides   

R - Center - L
RR - Center - LL
RRR - Center - LLL
etc

after it is pined Sew Sew Sew.