Pleats, Pleats, Me

A few more notions, in particularly purple Oakshott Fabric

I've been a bit more organised here, with markings at each end of the fabric to make even pleats.. These are roughly 1/4 inch deep and 1-1/4 inches apart.. Sew, press

Actually, I suspect that the unpressed pleats are just as interesting

Then crossed

Pressed again.. Oh, boy, fabric reduction by degrees...

And the back - also interesting..

A variation on yesterday's stripes-with-pleats, from my Summer Landscapes piece again.  I really like the way the pleats distort the patchwork

And here, even though this piece has batting and backing, you can see the light is altered by the layers and crossings.. Plain muslin/calico in the block - the sides of this piece are an odd brocaded furnishing fabric

Here I have made blocks - 5-inch squares were pleated in 2 directions, then trimmed (to 4 inches) and joined.  I tried to ensure that the pleats did not meet on the joins - this makes for easier pressing if nothing else

Working on the bias is interesting, too - here I have returned to the silk striped squares




Sewn, close together

Pressed

Snipped - I think this needs a wash...

Com-Pleatly Crazy

Now, it's time for tucks, pleats and pintucks.. Most of these first samples are in silk taffeta

I have some nice wide-stripe silk taffeta samples, which are good to play with. I folded the fabric with the join of colour on the edge, and sewed a seam of relatively even width...

Crease and repeat...

Then fold the other way and make crossing pleats

Same fabric, pleats in slightly more random arrangements

Rinse and repeat again...

Interesting on the back, too.  I like the way this messes with the regularity of the stripes

And look, how much it reduces the sizes of the pieces (untouched sample at the back, and the pleated ones pressed)
One method of reducing your stash.

I've been on the road today, 8 hours teaching and 5 driving.. Now to bed, more tomorrow...