I purchased a beautiful dress with a pleated skirt from a rummage sale and would like to use the fabric to make a gathered skirt. How do I remove the pleats? Ruth T.,
e-mail
You can find some great fabric at rummage sales, the challenge is making it work for you. Examine the fabric on both sides. Do the wrong sides of the pleats look like they've been fused with something to hold their edge? If they were fused, you won't be able to remove the creases. Also, some commercially heat-set pleats can't be removed.
Use white vinegar or mix a solution of 50% vinegar/50% water. Cut a fabric sample from elsewhere on the garment and test the solution to be sure it won't fade or damage the fabric. Spray the solution on the creases when pressing. After pressing the creases out there may be a visible line if the edge is worn.
Another option is to take the dress to your local dry cleaner. Many can remove the pleats-but they need to see the garment to be able to know if it's possible.
This information was current when published in the November 2003 issue of Sew News. No guarantee is made regarding availability. Stay up-to-date with current sources by subscribing today!
