I am starting to stress over getting this done by Christmas, and may opt to machine-sew the pleats in desperation.

8th morning, test pleating 1.5 hours TOTAL: 9.5 hours

Much futzing with pleat tapers, then started hand-sewing the first pleat. It didn't go well, so I succumbed to panic attack. Lightly pressed tapered pleats in in the fell a bit to give them a bit of a crease, AND...finished off the right hand edge of the over-apron, including fringe (machine sewn, but invisible from the outside.)