How Does a Smocking Pleater Work?
Preparations The pleater must have the appropriate number of needles in place in order to pleat fabric for smocking. With a book or board under the front of the pleater, the top roller is removed. Specialty pleating needles are placed into the slots on the pleater. While pleater needles are not brand specific, some pleaters use a long needle and others a short. Depending upon the pleater, it may hold 16, 24, or less commonly, 32 needles. Needles should be placed for each row of pleating thread desired for your smocking pattern, plus two holding rows. The fabric to be pleated should be pressed and rolled onto a roller, working evenly and carefully. The top edge of the fabric should line up neatly. A clip or clothespin may be used to secure fabric that is hanging off the roller. Threading the Pleater Each needle of the pleater must be individually threaded, preferably with a strong quilting or upholstery thread. Each thread used should be the length of your fabric to be pleated plus appr
