it quacks like a kilt

[Erisianmonkey]

A pleating jig? A pleating jig?!! A PLEATING JIG!!! Wow! That's a real "why didn't I think of that?" moment.

By the gods, my next kilt will be a hell of a lot easier to pleat. The only pleats I'll have to really watch are the ones where I need to put in taper. Thanks!

[vorpallemur]

A pleating jig? A pleating jig?!! A PLEATING JIG!!! Wow! That's a real "why didn't I think of that?" moment.

By the gods, my next kilt will be a hell of a lot easier to pleat.

Yes. It's much easier. I'm sort of embarrassed that I didn't think of doing it before.

didn't get much done tonight. Cut out the piece for the left front and over apron, and sewed the pleats in. I'm doing four pleats, with the last one entirely under the apron, and I screwed up the order of sewing those two down. (sew the one hidden by the other one first. duh.) I discovered that picking out the stitches requires undoing nearly every single one, and as I can barely see them, it took 40 minutes to do 9 inches of stitching. Stupid high-quality thread. I did make the folding jig for the welt pockets.

[sydnie7]

[snip, so to speak] I discovered that picking out the stitches requires undoing nearly every single one, and as I can barely see them, it took 40 minutes to do 9 inches of stitching. Stupid high-quality thread. I did make the folding jig for the welt pockets.

A good seam-ripper is your friend -- less than $5 but priceless. If you're careful, and your fabric isn't too delicate, you can insert the point between the two layers of fabric and push -- cutting the thread loops that lie between the layers, in one long motion down the length of the seam. Then use a fingernail to "scratch" the loose thread up from either side, and you're done. Little leftover bits will usually come out in the wash.

Wouldn't advise it for silk, knits, etc. but I use it when needed on denim, poly/cotton bottomweights, etc.

[vorpallemur]

A good seam-ripper is your friend -- less than $5 but priceless. If you're careful, and your fabric isn't too delicate, you can insert the point between the two layers of fabric and push -- cutting the thread loops that lie between the layers, in one long motion down the length of the seam. Then use a fingernail to "scratch" the loose thread up from either side, and you're done. Little leftover bits will usually come out in the wash.

Wouldn't advise it for silk, knits, etc. but I use it when needed on denim, poly/cotton bottomweights, etc.

I've got seam rippers, and I'm not afraid of using them. The problem is that the stitches are very tight and the thread is a near perfect match for the fabric, and there are enough loops of fabric yarn on the wrong side that I don't trust myself not to get one using the seam ripper as a knife.