A quick video on how to use the Perfect Pleater™ when making trim. Stay to the end for the secret on getting pleats to stay permanently.
Remember to let each section cool before removing it!
The original Perfect Pleater is getting harder to find. You can purchase it from Clotilde on Amazon or look at other pleater options on Amazon.
I’m thinking of using my smocking pleating machine, threading only three needles. Has anyone done this?
I’ve not done it but have heard of a number of people who have used it this way.
I can’t find the perfect pleater . Anyone know where to get one . I want it to make doll clothes . Thank you
They are getting harder to find as I believe they are not being manufactured anymore. Try ebay. Or look for tutorials on making your own.
I have a brand new Clotilde Perfect Pleater that I would like to sell.
It’s still in the original packaging, and I’d like $20.00 plus shipping for it.
I would like to buy your Clotilde Perfect Pleater. Is it sold?
May I buy your pleater or have you sold it??
Please respond . this is my second request
Love my Perfect Pleater. I have used it with cotton, taffeta, satin and polyesters. I have used the blue painters tape on the back side to hold the cooled pleats in place if I am not stitching them on right away and the tape is reusable you just have to be careful not to ball up the tape.
Being new to HA dress making, I have just completed a Laughing Moon ball gown. The skirt is knife pleated by hand. 2 things I would like to improve if you could suggest what I have done wrong, please. A seam is obvious on the right front. What do I do in the future not to have that happen?
Also I really struggle with pleating and having the slash opening be where it needs to be.
Any suggestion would be so appreciated.
Thank you Jennifer
For best results, seams in pleated sections should be in the back fold of a pleat. If you end up coming to a seam then add more fabric into the pleat next to it so the seam becomes hidden in the next pleat folds. More tips for you in this post on pleating and in this post on the Divide & Conquer method.
I have a skirt. Nice skirt however, the pleats are going. What can I use for the tiny pleats? I have two really nice skirts like that. Help?
I wouldn’t use the Perfect Pleater to re-pleat, but do it with Divide & Conquer or simply pin pleating up so pleats match in width on both sides of centers.
Does the vinegar smell linger at all or do you find it fades quickly? I’ve used scented “linen spray” (basically lavender water) for pressing costumes before and it worked nicely for flat fabrics but I don’t know if it would act like the vinegar water to hold the pleats. I’d be interested to know if anyone has tried it.
If you only use white vinegar the scent dissipates rather quickly (couple days maybe at most but it definitely doesn’t linger many hours after using it to press). I’ve used lavender water many years ago but it won’t set pleats as it’s not vinegar but distilled water and essential oil. For pleat setting you must use vinegar.
I also use an additional step (recommended on the Perfect Pleater instructions) of securing the pleats with 1/4″ basting tape. Holds the pleats and makes it easier to tack onto the garment!
THIS LOOKS SIMPLE! WILL A PIECE OF FOLDED FABRIC WORK IN IT AS WELL?
If it’s light to medium silk or cotton, yes, you shouldn’t have too much of an issue.
Thanks for the tip. Will be buying one of these to make yards and yards of pleated trim for a Civil War skirt and two bodices. Any alternative to the vinegar solution? I really can’t tolerate the smell of vinegar — even a whiff makes me queasy. Suggestions?
Vinegar really is the best. I suppose spray starch perhaps???
Make sure you use white vinegar not the apple cider stuff. Maybe a respiratory mask?
I’ll be trying the spray starch as I’m allergic to alcohol, which vinegar contains. I wish I found your site ages ago when I was attempting my first period dress. I never did finish that dress as I gain weight and didn’t like the fabric I chose for the dress. (light, slippery fabric).
We all start somewhere! Glad you’re here.
And white vinegar contains no alcohol. The apple cider stuff may but not the clear white vinegar.
The ‘Perfect Pleater’ looks less that perfect. Just buy a pleating attachment for your sewing machine and it does a better job with less fuss in half the time! Then all you need to do is give it a press with the iron.
True, it’s not perfect. BUT… the Pleater does give you the ability to evenly pleat large widths of fabric whereas a ruffler foot only pleats the top edge. Then you still have to go back and pleat up the other side by hand giving you the full pleated width. Both the Pleater and ruffler foot are good tools depending on the look you are going for.
Hi:
Looks tempting.. I want to make a pleated skirt with georgette or flimsy/flowy/shiny polyester material. Will the Perfect Pleater work?
Polyester is known to not hold pleats. You will have a hard time getting them to stay, one, in the pleater before you iron, and two, getting them to press into place. You cannot use extreme heat on poly as it will melt. Natural fiber fabric will work better (cotton, linen, wool and silk).
Does it work also with heavy and sturdy fabric?
Sturdy fabric, yes. Not so much for heavy materials. A lightweight twill might work but anything heavier won’t sit in the louvers enough to make good looking pleats.
Thank you, this demo has helped me a ton with my perfect pleater.