Box pleating help

[mala_14]

Well, I just wasted several hours marking the increments for my box-pleated flounce. Wasted because most of them just disappeared and also the silk organza is so squidgy (yeah, that's the word I'm using) that the pleats were all wonky when I tried to iron them. I need help! Any advice for making box pleats in a shifty fabric?

Comments

[kaesha-nikovana.livejournal.com]

I've had good luck using freezer paper as a stabilizer/pleating aid. Here's a decent overview of the process: http://sewing.patternreview.com/review/review/1597 I've not tried it on silk organza, but I did use it on silk shantung and there was no residue or wax left behind, and I used the same sheet of freezer paper over and over.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

That's really cool! We don't have any freezer paper at home right now, so I'm going to try fork pleating first. But I think I need to get me a roll of freezer paper in the near future!

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Fork pleats! It's trim, right? I use a fork if at all possible. There is no faster, tidier way to make pleated trim, imho.

She shows knife pleats here but just reverse every other one for box pleats: https://youtu.be/AUiTW8OOP78

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

I was looking into fork pleating right after I posted this. Unfortunately the organza is so squidgy that a regular fork won't do because it won't pleat the whole length at once. Which is why I have now McGyver'd a fork out of some really small knitting needles, a wooden bbq skewer, and tape. I think this will work! Pictures to come! ;p

[nuranar.livejournal.com]

On the marking idea, I just pin the heck out of everything. Super fine pins, and double-skewer them if they like to slide out.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Good call! I'll keep this in mind for the future. I am relying way too much on my erasable marker. It's just not good for all occasions.