Pleats in wool crepe

I finished this skirt of wool crepe with knife pleats in the front. My
press is waitng for service and the dc has a slow turn around. I have a
steam generator iron and of course the regular, but I just can't seam to get
them pressed as crisp as I'd like, they are "springy". Are there any
suggestions I might try?

thanks

Michelle
Italy

Atom1 wrote:

I finished this skirt of wool crepe with knife pleats in the front. My
press is waitng for service and the dc has a slow turn around. I have a
steam generator iron and of course the regular, but I just can't seam to get
them pressed as crisp as I'd like, they are "springy". Are there any
suggestions I might try?

thanks

Michelle
Italy


Stop steaming! Baste the knife pleats closed with a fine silk thread
and use a dampened cotton or linen pressing cloth to press with a hot
iron. Go slowly, and press each area for 20 seconds before moving the iron.

Test the iron temperature and pressing cloth on some spare cloth first.

--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

"Kate Dicey" wrote in message
...
Atom1 wrote:

I finished this skirt of wool crepe with knife pleats in the front.
My
press is waitng for service and the dc has a slow turn around. I have a
steam generator iron and of course the regular, but I just can't seam to
get
them pressed as crisp as I'd like, they are "springy". Are there any
suggestions I might try?

thanks

Michelle
Italy


Stop steaming! Baste the knife pleats closed with a fine silk thread
and use a dampened cotton or linen pressing cloth to press with a hot
iron. Go slowly, and press each area for 20 seconds before moving the
iron.

Test the iron temperature and pressing cloth on some spare cloth first.

--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 1/2 cup of water. Wet ironing cloth
(cotton or linen, as Kate said) with this solution, and press with hot dry
iron until ironing cloth and you fabric are completely dry. Hot vinegar
smells disgusting, but it evaporates completely under hot iron, just make
sure to dry out thing with iron. It will set pleats and creases very well.
It is recommended to repeat this treatment every 5-6 washings.

HTH

Tatiana

"Kate Dicey" wrote in message
...
Atom1 wrote:

I finished this skirt of wool crepe with knife pleats in the front.
My
press is waitng for service and the dc has a slow turn around. I have
a
steam generator iron and of course the regular, but I just can't seam
to get
them pressed as crisp as I'd like, they are "springy". Are there any
suggestions I might try?

thanks

Michelle
Italy


Stop steaming! Baste the knife pleats closed with a fine silk thread
and use a dampened cotton or linen pressing cloth to press with a hot
iron. Go slowly, and press each area for 20 seconds before moving the
iron.

Test the iron temperature and pressing cloth on some spare cloth first.

--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

I haven't been steaming, I've been doing as you say sans the basting
thread. I'll try that.

Many thanks,
Michelle
Italy

"Tatiana" wrote in message
...

"Kate Dicey" wrote in message
...
Atom1 wrote:

I finished this skirt of wool crepe with knife pleats in the
front.
My
press is waitng for service and the dc has a slow turn around. I
have a
steam generator iron and of course the regular, but I just can't
seam to
get
them pressed as crisp as I'd like, they are "springy". Are there
any
suggestions I might try?

thanks

Michelle
Italy


Stop steaming! Baste the knife pleats closed with a fine silk thread
and use a dampened cotton or linen pressing cloth to press with a hot
iron. Go slowly, and press each area for 20 seconds before moving the
iron.

Test the iron temperature and pressing cloth on some spare cloth
first.

--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 1/2 cup of water. Wet ironing cloth
(cotton or linen, as Kate said) with this solution, and press with hot
dry
iron until ironing cloth and you fabric are completely dry. Hot vinegar
smells disgusting, but it evaporates completely under hot iron, just
make
sure to dry out thing with iron. It will set pleats and creases very
well.
It is recommended to repeat this treatment every 5-6 washings.

HTH

Tatiana

What about the fact that it's wool, steaming will shrink it right? I was
trying to remember the recipe for permanent pleats- thank you


Michelle
Italy

On Sat, 9 Oct 2004 02:05:11 -0700, Atom1 wrote:

I finished this skirt of wool crepe with knife pleats in the front. My
press is waitng for service and the dc has a slow turn around. I have a
steam generator iron and of course the regular, but I just can't seam to get
them pressed as crisp as I'd like, they are "springy". Are there any
suggestions I might try?

Are you clapping the pleats dry and leaving them to cool before moving the
fabric?

Atom1 wrote:

I haven't been steaming, I've been doing as you say sans the basting
thread. I'll try that.

Many thanks,
Michelle
Italy




Also get a nice flat lump of smooth wood and whack those pleats while
still damp! REALLY pound them before taking the pressing cloth off!
Then remove the basting and press again if it has left any marks. A
fine silk thread will leave minimal marks.

--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Atom1 wrote:


What about the fact that it's wool, steaming will shrink it right? I was
trying to remember the recipe for permanent pleats- thank you

Steam will only shrink it if you have not pre-shrunk before making the
garment. I always press wool all over with steam and a cloth before
cutting out the garment.

--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

"Kay Lancaster" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 9 Oct 2004 02:05:11 -0700, Atom1 wrote:

I finished this skirt of wool crepe with knife pleats in the front.
My
press is waitng for service and the dc has a slow turn around. I have
a
steam generator iron and of course the regular, but I just can't seam
to get
them pressed as crisp as I'd like, they are "springy". Are there any
suggestions I might try?

Are you clapping the pleats dry and leaving them to cool before moving
the
fabric?

Ummm, no, I guess I have some frustration I can work out. So should I
steam them and then clap or just beat them down?

Thanks so much

Michelle
Italy

Use the wet presscloth and then remove it and go over the pleats again with
a cold iron or a pan of ice to quick cool the pleats. Then allow it to sit
without moving it til you're sure the pleats are completely dry and cool. I
learned this from a professional kilt maker.

--
It's easier to run away with your kilt up than with your pants down
"Atom1" wrote in message
...

"Kate Dicey" wrote in message
...
Atom1 wrote:

I finished this skirt of wool crepe with knife pleats in the
front.
My
press is waitng for service and the dc has a slow turn around. I
have
a
steam generator iron and of course the regular, but I just can't
seam
to get
them pressed as crisp as I'd like, they are "springy". Are there
any
suggestions I might try?

thanks

Michelle
Italy


Stop steaming! Baste the knife pleats closed with a fine silk thread
and use a dampened cotton or linen pressing cloth to press with a hot
iron. Go slowly, and press each area for 20 seconds before moving the
iron.

Test the iron temperature and pressing cloth on some spare cloth
first.

--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

I haven't been steaming, I've been doing as you say sans the basting
thread. I'll try that.

Many thanks,
Michelle
Italy