Lisa B1 -we have three Lisa B’s so they’re numbered- mentions a new-to-me site that may interest you (HT), that belonging to International Pleating. Fully embracing today’s demands for connectivity and transparency, they also have a blog and a FaceBook page.
In business since the 1930’s, International Pleating provides contract pleating services delivered to your specifications. They offer two types of pleating, hand (pattern pleating) and mechanical. Machine pleating ranges from knife, box, distressed and Fortuny pleating. Hand pleating types are sunburst (accordion), large box pleats and herringbone. You can see samples of each type here.
Their blog offers useful advice on the nature of pleating possibilities -some styles can’t be pleated by machine or pattern and must be sewn to hold their shape (they don’t provide this service). The site also provides design ideas; combining striped goods cut in various shapes -say a half circle- renders some truly unique effects.
International Pleating also provides useful tools to plan your designs and patterns for pleating. This guide (pdf) explains how patterns must be cut according to various widths. Primarily intended for bias (full circle skirts) it will still be helpful to anyone who needs a greater understanding of the marking process while still in pre-production.
I suppose nothing more need be said, run along now and drool. I definitely plan to visit them on my next trip to New York. Enjoy!
Oooooh! Just took a few minutes from work to drool over the textured and pleated leathers in the blog!
Good luck on the migration to the new server!
And don’t worry if this comment is lost in the process–it isn’t earth-shattering! *LOL*
As it turns out, the migration was a bit buggy so the files were copied over again. Meaning, your comment was caught in the second copying.
Anyone wondering what we’re talking about; the above entry had a PS which mentioned the site was being moved. It said that if you saw the PS, you were accessing the site via the original dns host. If you don’t see the PS and can read this comment, your ISP has the updated nameserver for this site.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, don’t fret. You can access the site so all is as it should be.
Very Cool!
Hi Kathleen,
You are more than welcome for the grand tour next time you come to the Big Apple :-) as well as all your readers!
Thank you & regards,
George
Drool!
Aha! I was just about to post about International Pleating in the forum. I stumbled onto their website through a review by Mimi Jackson of Shop the Garment District, and she had nothing but glowing things to say about their customer service, welcoming attitude toward home-sewers, small designers and students, as well as their extensive knowledge and expertise. I can attest to this, as I emailed in a curious question and got a thorough response just an hour or two later from George himself. Very friendly and helpful, and the blog is a great resource.
Oh, yes, Kathleen! This place really appeals to me, and the engineering and thought that goes into it is amazing. The samples in the showroom are droolworthy! I’ve got an appointment to come in and discuss and plan some pleating of my own with George this week. So very excited!