GOOD NEWS! I emailed the lady who sold me the Pretty Pleat mat and asked her if she would take it back because the picture shown in her listing said it was a 1/2″ rubber mat, but it was actually a 1/4″ mat. She said if I returned it, she would give me a refund! I was thrilled since she said she didn’t offer returns.
YAY!!!
Now let’s move on to another type of pleater… I have used this one many times. It’s actually called a Ruffler but it does ruffles AND pleats. This is what it looks like. Don’t be intimidated by its looks…it looks complicated, but it’s not.
First of all, just about every sewing machine has a ruffler attachment for “their” machine, but mine is just a universal attachment and has worked on several different machines I have owned.
You can go online and find a video for Bernina, Brother, Pfaff, Viking, and all the other brands for how the ruffler attachment works for their particular machine.
I did find a very good video from Bernina that is fairly “universal” and gives a quick 4 minute demonstration on how they work…you can click on this link to see the gist of it…
Demonstration of how the ruffler/pleater works…
My ruffler/pleater came with a paper that explains just about everything you need to know for how to use these little gadgets…
I don’t know how to set up for a longer video like that lady above did, but here are some still shots of what I was doing. Today’s post will be kind of like an informative post and if you are interested, you’ll have to check out what’s available to you for your machine. I pressed out the creases in the blue fabric I had used before and decided to use it for a demo using the pleater on my machine…
I put my ruffler attachment on making sure it was tight and set the adjustment setting to give me the deepest push for the pleats. I’m not a big fan of skimpy pleats. I personally like them to go all the way into the fabric and then the next one line up where that crease ends.
Okay, let’s go…
I did get this 10 second video to work…it only shows my machine making the pleats… not too exciting, but here’s a little action on the post today!!! :o)
The pleats you end up with using the ruffler attachment aren’t nearly as precise as when you use a pleater board, so I find it helps to pin your pleated piece vertically on your ironing board so you can pull out the pleats horizonally and keep them semi straight.
This isn’t hemmed…which needs to be done first, but you can get an idea of how quickly the pleats can be done using the machine attachment…not too bad…
Lian was game for trying it on…
I tried another piece…
Then I tried another piece… shortening my stitch length and moving the bar at the top to 6, which means I will now have 6 stitches and then a pleat…
I pinned it to my ironing board and didn’t press it all the way to the bottom, but just about 1 1/2″ from the top…
I think this might work with the right fabric… and make a pretty dressy dress…
I also wanted to show you how it looks when you lay the bottom fabric down face up, and the fabric to be ruffled, laid face down on top of it…where the top piece gets gathered onto the bottom piece all at the same time.
Well, as nice as those pleats look, they still aren’t my favorite way of making them… stay tuned for that… :o)
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Interesting! Loved watching your pleater/ruffler in action. Now I need to get mine out and try it!!
BTW, in response to Laura’s question yesterday about the smocking pleater: no, you can not do box pleats on a smocking pleater. The pleats are almost like really regular gathers, and pleating the fabric is only the first step! Then you have to do the smocking, which is basically embroidery over pleats. You can also, as Jeanne touched upon, do machine “smocking”, which is basically using decorative machine stitches across the pleated fabric. However, it doesn’t really have the same look at all, and also you don’t have the elasticity that you do in true English smocking.
As you can probably tell, I am a smocker! I’ve made a number of Wee Care gowns, in sizes from newborn to extra tiny (under 1 pound); these are given to the local hospital, where they are used for bereavement. When a baby is stillborn, or dies shortly after birth, a suitably sized gown is given to the parents, who can either hang onto it as a keepsake or use it as a burial gown for their baby. The first time I made one, I wanted to cry every time I worked on it. But I am a woman of faith, and I realized it was an opportunity to pray for a family who has just suffered perhaps the greatest loss of all, the loss of a child. And so I do, and it now gives me joy to make them.
Hi Charlotte,
What a blessing your Wee Care gowns must be. I’m sure the families appreciate them and the prayers that come along with them.
I’m not sure I worded my question exactly right yesterday. I’m very much of a beginning sewer and just about ready to take more baby steps into doll sewing. I like intricate embroidery work, so sewing small should be fine, I hope. I have done some doll clothes years ago, but all by hand.
I haven’t actually had a sewing machine to use since my grandmother’s Kenmore as a young adult. My mom has a Viking Husqvarna that I’m going to use. Life got in the way, so I’ve never used it before. She’s thinks sewing doll clothes will be very frustrating.
I wanted to know if I can use the machine to make the smocking “base” to do the hand embroidery over or would I need to have a smocking’pleater machine just for doll clothes? As you can guess, I want to get by with the least expense to do the most variety.
I would love to see some of your smocking work. Have you made smocked doll outfits as well?
Okay, Laura–the pleater is a handy tool to make even pleats over which you embroider, or smock. However, it’s quite expensive, so to get started you can just mark dots in a regular pattern (or use iron-on dots). You pick up the dots with a hand basting stitch, then pull the pleats up to measure whatever the pattern guide says, tie them off, then proceed as normally with your smocking.
There is a lot of information available on line; a good place to start is smocking.org, the web site of the Smocking Arts Guild of America (SAGA). You can even check for a chapter near you–a member might be willing to pleat fabric for you (some do it for free, others charge), or help you get started!
As to doll clothes being frustrating….it kind of depends on (1) how small the doll is and (2) what kind of fabric you are using. I would start with quilting-weight cottons until you get the “feel” for working in that scale, as they are pretty easy to manage.
An Absolute MUST (in my opinion) for sewing on doll clothes is a 1/4″ foot–from the center needle position to the edge of the foot is exactly 1/4″. I have one for my Viking and I use it almost all the time. It is only for straight stitch, though, so if you are going to zigzag, you will need to use the regular foot.
I also bought a throat plate that is marked in fractions of inches, rather than metric; I’ve never been comfortable using metrics, so it was an easy choice!
The main thing with doll clothes is to be precise in your stitching. That quarter-inch seam allowance needs to be exactly 1/4″ wide for the garment to fit well! When you get to curves, stitch Really Slowly–it will help with accuracy!!
Let me know if you have more questions; I’ve given Jeanne permission to give you my email address.
What a wonderful use of your talent. At my old church I was involved with the Prayer Shawl Ministry. We crocheted or knit beautiful prayer shawls. Our talents were much in demand as there was always someone either in the church or known by someone in our church who needed the comfort and the prayer that comes with each of these. It was a joy to be able to participate in this ministry. I wish you lived closer to me. I could use your smocking expertise. I’ve done smocking but I would like to do some picture smocking. I took a class from a lady but all it did was confuse me. I took basic smocking from her and went home and learned more myself. She’s not the best teacher, but she was all that was available. I caught on to geometric smocking pretty easily, but picture smocking always gives me problems.
Hi Barbara! My best friend was active in the prayer shawl ministry in her church for a number of years, also, and made many shawls (including one for me!). Then the group got to be just June and one other lady making them, so they decided to stop this particular ministry, and found homes for the shawls they had already made up.
I hate to admit it, but I’m not very good a picture smocking. I’ve “dabbled” but that’s about it! It’s one thing I would like to work on myself. (If you live in the greater Seattle area, maybe we could get together!)
However, you could check SAGA’s (Smocking Arts Guild of America) web site (smocking.org), as they have tutorials and also “classes” you can take, and other resources. You could also check to see if there is a chapter near you; perhaps someone in your area would be willing to help you, or maybe there are classes offered nearby. I have to admit, there are not smocking chapters Everywhere, but perhaps you live in an area that has one!
I’ve given Jeanne permission to send you my email address if you’d like it; feel free to get in touch if you have more questions.
Hi Charlotte,
I have mostly used my ruffler attachment for gathering fabrics… I like my Perfect Pleater board because it gives me crisp even pleats…
I have more ways to show how to make pleats…stay tuned!!
I used to meet on a regular basis at a doctor friends house to make angel gowns too. She was the OB doctor who delivered my kids and
We met in her basement to make as many gowns as we could once a month. She supplied all the batiste and we had a nice time boxing them up and letting her deliver them to the baby ward…
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’ve heard of the angel gown ministry–similar to our Wee Care gowns, I believe, in that they are given at a time of loss.
If you would like to give Barbara and Laura my email address, Jeanne, I will be happy to help them and answer questions about smocking (and doll clothes–I’ve made lots of smocked dresses for my Little Darlings!) that they might have.
When I first saw the contraption highlighted today, I thought to myself, “Oh, THAT thing”! I remember my mother having that on her Kenmore sewing machine from way back! Funny, but I don’t recall her using it, and I don’t even recall her seeing her sew, but sew she did, mostly, I’m guessing, when we girls were at school!
It DOES look intimidating, even now!! I don’t think I wold ever use it much,!
So happy you were able to to get a refund on the other pleater!
Hi Linda,
It looks harder to use than it really is…I guess there really isn’t any way to make it do all the things it does without looking so complicated…
I have a few more simple ways to make pleats…something for everyone.
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
This machine attachment is what I use. I like it because it is easy and doesn’t require any marking or measuring. I am glad you showed the paper with the oiling diagram. I can’t remember the last time I oiled mine, if ever. I will be interested to see what you show tomorrow.
Hi Carolyn,
Mine probably needs to be oiled too. I’m going to show a few more ways to make pleats… maybe you’ll like one of these ways too…
Thanks Carolyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, that thing! I honestly had no idea of the use of that ancient looking scary contraption. It looks like it is out of a monster movie of which I would never watch. I’ve seen them and probably have one or two, but until today had no clue of the use. So Marilyn, who invented the pleater/ruffler? Very curious. I’m seeing that the Ruffler does pleats, but what kind of ruffles? Maybe one of the links will help me. Does it make nice ruffles?
Thanks Jeanne for sharing that strange what’s it. Now I know. 🙂
Joy, it does make very nice ruffles.
Hi Joy,
I’d say it makes nicer ruffles than pleats… you’ll have to give it a try…or better yet, wait for the next few ways I show for making pleats…
Thanks Joy
Blessings, Jeanne
I want one of those contraptions. Yes indeedee I surely do! Will start looking online. I want it for ruffles. Lots and lots of ruffles! 😊
hi Julia
I hope you find one….they are nice for “lots and lots of ruffles!” :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
THAT’S THE FOOT I MEANT! The pleats may not be “professional”, but I would be happy with them and it’s looks perfect for ruffles. I now know that is indeed the foot my grandmother used when she made ruffles on doll clothes and nightgowns for me. I now know I used it when I made a few ruffled throw pillows to take to college with me.I loved ruffles then and I still do. It’s probably why I like the frillier doll clothes.
Trying out these different ways has resulted in some quick skirts for your AG’s and even Lian. Nothing like your lovely and elaborate doll clothes, but now your girls will be somewhat dressed on the dolly shelf. 🙂
So nice that you got a refund on that pleater. it never hurts to ask.
Hi Laura,
Those ruffler attachments have been around for years and years…decades and decades…
Maybe you’ll have to start searching for one like Julia. :o)
They DO make great ruffles!!
I’ve got more ways to make pleats coming up tomorrow!!
Thanks Laura,
Blessings ,Jeanne
Per your comment yesterday, What’s time to myself? lol, lol, lol
Well I got onto the blog today to see the next pleating instruction and guess what I found? Yesterday’s comment that I had written and never sent. Many distractions. I’m requesting prayers for my sanity at the moment because the grandkids school keeps prolonging in-person. All the school districts surrounding their school opened yesterday for in person. Their school prolonged their start until 9/14 and yesterday we got notice that they moved it until 9/21. They never say why, just that it is. We’re all getting fed up with it and Dionne was talking about putting them back in their former school which is open. Since I’m the one really being inconvenienced by all of this, I’ll make the sacrifice and keep telling her not to do it. Their school is a charter school and has the potential of being really good for the kids if they ever get to take advantage of it. Their STEM program is wonderful and their electives are many and varied. Both the kids are enrolled in Theater Arts but that’s not happening remotely. The problem yesterday was that Jaiden was having trouble logging into her classes. Part of it is her hand-me-down iPad and part is that they changed the Zoom protocol.
We never anticipated the kids needing personal technology to take to school but it seems the idea now is to have kids put sparsely in classrooms with teachers in another room still teaching remotely. Would that we had been this careful with our vulnerable nursing home residents. None of the other schools are doing this so we don’t get it, but Nanna ponied up and bought the grandkids each a nice, reasonably priced laptop. They have been using iPads but we’re told they must have laptops for in person. The school was supposed to provide these but their supply will not be restored until sometime in November. We couldn’t wait that long. Skyy is good with technology and helps his sister with her tech problems a lot. Don’t know what I’d do without him.
Now to sewing things, which is helping me keep my sanity. I have one of these pleater-gatherers. I’ve used the gatherer and played with the pleater some. But you showed me something I hadn’t thought of. I’m sure it’s in my instructions, but I’m a visual person and hate reading instructions. Never thought of laying the skirt to be gathered onto the bodice piece and doing both at once. But I’m still having a bit of trouble figuring out how exactly it works and how to set the gatherer to end up with the right amount of gathers for the length of the fabric. When I gathered a ruffle for a wall hanging I ended up with far more “ruffle” than I needed for my project. It’s something I can use for other things so it’s not wasted, but I had no clue how to determine the length of gathers, etc., to fit the length of fabric. I’ve never been able to find a chart where someone has determined this.
In addition to my proctoring duties, I heard from my Colorado daughter the other day telling me she wanted to make some fall pillows and if she sent me a couple designs would I embroider the pillow tops for her with my machine. She has the backs ready to go so she’s awaiting the tops. She would like them finished in time for the first day of fall. Assuming that the grandkids would be returning to in-person next Monday I said sure, no problem. But I will let something else ride and get these off my to-do list this weekend so she’ll have them in time. Fortunately for me they cancelled the Fall Festival at church this year because I’m not sure I would have had much time to build inventory.
Gender reveal! My daughter-in-law just returned from the doctor. She waited for the kids to have a break and then had them lift the sheet off a couple balloons (one for each of them – not twins). The balloons were BLUE. Skyy is ecstatic. Jaiden is a little disappointed. She wanted a sister but she’s a “princess” and she’ll be happy with her baby brother I’m sure.
Hi Barbara,
I’m sorry about all the confusion with your grandkids school. I hope they get it figured out soon… and I know you can’t wait for something to happen that will make it easier for all involved… I bet the teachers are just as frustrated as the kids and parents.
You sound as busy as ever and now you might have ruffled pillows added to your list…
Congratulations on your new grandson…”to come.”
Blessings, Jeanne
I think that contraption would scare me so much I would never use it! lol. Charlotte, when I was in Melbourne last and went to the quilt show there (it is always on around my grandaughter’s birthday!) There was a group whose title I can’t remember, something like Care Angels, and they use donated wedding gowns and suchlike to make the little clothes that you make, for the babies. Some of the gowns on display were just beautiful. It is such a lovely thing to do for parents.
So pleased you are still on the blog Joy, I guess the fires haven’t reached you yet. It looks horrific on TV.
The covid cluster in Auckland is still growing, 171 as of last night. At the moment it is a church that is the main problem. Unfortunately it is a Pacific Island Church. When Auckland was in lockdown they were still having prayer meetings in private homes, this time it was a funeral gathering. Apparently they are not being strictly honest about their close contacts either which is needed for tracing purposes and so those people can self isolate. I’m not sure if it is about language, many speak very little English or Maori (the two official languages), or if many are too scared of the authorities, especially those who are overstayers. They have been assured that any information is completely confidential and won’t be shared with any other govt department but trust no one outside their community. They won’t even go for a test or see a doctor if they become sick. It is a worry because the only way we can get back to our near normal is if everyone sticks to the rules. I wish the govt would give all the overstayers a pardon I am sure that would help. I suspect we will still be in level two next week if they can’t resolve this.
The outfit is almost finished, I just have the shoes to do. Sam hasn’t started on the necklace or hairstyle yet. She knows I need it by tomorrow so knowing her as well as I do, she’ll probably stay up all night tonight!!!! We once did a sermon together on procrastination, it was great fun. I don’t think there is enough of the main fabric for the shoes so have to decide whether to make shoes from another fabric or leather boots which, as Sam pointed out, might be more authentic. a lot more work though!
It is raining today but still have to take the dog out. it was 23C yesterday, supposed to be 11C today. Nothing if not changeable here lol.
Stay safe everyone, especially Joy
Hi Anne,
I guess Angel gowns, Wee gowns and probably lots of other names are everywhere being made by lots of seamstresses.
It sounds like your Covid mess is just that… a mess!! Hope it all gets solved soon…
I may have forgotten but why do the shoes and hairstyle have to be done by tomorrow?
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, well, I thought the non-sewer (me) would be unable to make a contribution today but I just learned an interesting fact.
Did you know that September is National Sewing Month? It was created in 1982 through a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan. Some folks link it to Betsy Ross but we now know that she did not sew the first flag. Sorry Miss Ross.
Yea to all of the sewers on the sofa.
I knew that! My FB page has the cover photo to reflect it (courtesy of something I found on the American Sewing Guild’s recent email)! Pres. Reagan started it, and it has continued every year since then!
Hi Dorothy,
I think I did hear or read that somewhere that September was National Sewing Month..
I’m trying to do my part at keeping the Sewing Sisters of the Sofa going strong…
Thanks Dorothy,
Blessings, Jeanne