This afternoon I threaded up the pleater so I could get going on Beaded Garland.
I pressed a layer of German Interfacing to the wrong side of the skirt top. Silk Dupioni is a bit of a bear to pleat because it wriggles and it frays. The very lightweight cotton batiste that this interfacing is made from adds just enough stability to the fabric to keep it from wriggling around as it is going through the pleater. It also helps to plump up the pleats a bit.
I'm fairly sure that this is one of the best pleating jobs I have ever done!
I used a winning combination- my Super Amanda pleater, German interfacing and a slow hand on the pleating wheel. The fabric came right off the needles with none of the usual tugging. I can't tell you how impressed I am with myself!
Next up are the blocks for the tucked dress bodice and tucked pinafore bodice for the younger sister's dress. I didn't notice that the pattern alterations started at a size 8 until I glued the tucking guides together. I guess I'll wing the size 4!
Speaking of patterns, I'm using a pdf download which means lots of pages to stick together. I used to use tape, and I loathed this process. I switched to Scotch brand Scrapbooking glue. The bottle has two applicators: one is a dabber pad and the other is a fine-point nozzle. I've used both now and really like both how the glue goes on and how well it sticks. I had a bit of time to make sure the paper was aligned correctly before the glue set.
Now, time for a dinner break, and then back at it. Time's closing in on me, but I wouldn't be me if I wasn't being loomed over by a deadline.
2 comments:
Anything that controls the dupioni is good. I know just how wriggly it is!
Kathy, I'm so glad to see you are working on my Peridot dress. You did a beautiful job pleating the silk. Can't wait to see when your beautiful version is done!
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