13 replies to this topic

[fairyprincess]

Usually i do not worry about these as they come off during a wash or are on the inside of a garment. Unfortunatly for me this has caused a little problem.

last night I finished my bustle undeskirt which has three rows of pleating around the hem. Upon finishing, I realised you can see the chalk markings i used to line up each pleat. I am scared that if a wash it the pleats willcome out and that i will have to sit for hours re-ironing the pleats in. Usinally the chalk brushes off but it will not budge. I dread to think how much dry cleaning it will be.

If anyone has any advice on how to best remove the chalk i would be most grateful!

[MistressFey]

Usually i do not worry about these as they come off during a wash or are on the inside of a garment. Unfortunatly for me this has caused a little problem.

last night I finished my bustle undeskirt which has three rows of pleating around the hem. Upon finishing, I realised you can see the chalk markings i used to line up each pleat. I am scared that if a wash it the pleats willcome out and that i will have to sit for hours re-ironing the pleats in. Usinally the chalk brushes off but it will not budge. I dread to think how much dry cleaning it will be.

If anyone has any advice on how to best remove the chalk i would be most grateful!

What kind of fabric is it? I've gotten chalk off things I couldn't be bothered washing by rubbing with a damp cloth or a lint brush. I've also used sticky-tape but that was t-shirt fabric.

[salem13]

vinegar disolves chalk - but then you would smell like fish and chips hehehe

[poisonedkitty]

Usually you can get it off just by rubbing with a damp cloth, or just brushing it off.

Personally I never bother, I usually end up sewing over where the chalk was seen and I never worry that it wont come out in the next wash. If I can't see it - it's not there.

[fairyprincess]

The ruffles are cotton - two a solid dark red/pink and the middle ruffle is a seersucker in red/white. The main problem is the solid colour.

I will try the damp cloth and see how that works! Thanks for that

[Clancy]

Sorry this may be a of little help since you asked this question a few weeks ago, but here goes.

The damp cloth should get rid of it, but test it on some scrap fabric first, in case the colours may run.

Second, i say if you intend on doing a lot of pleating, invest in a ruffler foot. They are a little pricey but well worth the money and you dont have to measure the pleats, you can set the measurements on your ruffler.

Alternatively you can learn to pleat with a fork, which i also do. Have a collection of different size fork tines and you have an array of various pleating sizes. Once you get the hang of this method, its quite easy.

Thirdly, keep a solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle 50/50 and when pressing the pleats squirt with the solution, this helps sets the pleats and the smell of vinegar does not linger.

Edited by Clancy, 24 November 2007 - 10:02 PM.

[fairyprincess]

Thanks All,

I still have not done anything about it! I need motivation!

[Last_Chael]

Thanks for the fantastic suggestions Clancy! Very helpful!

After doing my victorian bustle dress I fell in love with ruffles! My mum actually used to use a ruffler foot quite often as she makes petticoats and skirts for square dancing and rock and roll. But she's had heaps of trouble finding one for her industrial machine. The last couple haven't worked. But I have her old sewing machine so I'll have to check if it has a ruffler foot

[trinnyt]

I have to say I'm intrigued by the fork pleating. I can't say that I've seen it.

[Clancy]

Here is a link to the TV site, Heather has an instructional video link that you can watch.

I use this method a lot, once you get the hang of it , it is quite easy to do. And you can see that if you used differnt size tines you can get various results. Spray and press with the vinegar solution and it will set your pleats.

http://trulyvictorian.com/FAQ.html

Then click on the link Fork Pleating


Last_Chael

I had a ruffler for my old Brother machine the ruffler was generic low shank one, that the sewing shopin Penrith said would work on it. $90.00 later and every time i would use it, it would undo the screw holding the needle., and i was cotinually breaking needles, then i learnt the fork pleating.

My new Brother machine has a ruffler that was an optional purchase and it works perfectly.

[wenz]

ooh, I love the fork pleating trick. I watched it with absorbed fascination. A bit of practise and a selection of forks, and pleating goodness follows.

[fairyprincess]

Thanks Clancy!

I have now a spray bottle with the vinegar and water solution! It works wonders and even worked on the seer sucker!

Does not help with salt and vinegar rice craker cravings, though!!!

[Clancy]

Thanks Clancy!

I have now a spray bottle with the vinegar and water solution! It works wonders and even worked on the seer sucker!

Does not help with salt and vinegar rice craker cravings, though!!!

Fairyprincess, glad you found it useful!.

[ZDMKylie]

I quite like that fork technique! I think the thing that appeals to me the most is that it uses things that everyone has... like a cooking recipe that uses basic ingredients... I always hated those 'quick and easy' recipes that needed half a dozen of exotic ingredients! And those 'fast solutions' that needed something fancy or expensive!

Forks for the win!