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"Smocking Pleaters, Buttons, Piping & Notions that we carry"
IF YOU SEE A SIGN THAT SAYS THIS SITE IN NOT SECURE PLEASE GO TO OUR NEW SECURE SITE https://www.smockingbooks.com. All of our pleaters and accessories are uploaded but we're still working on the site and will have EVERYTHING up asap.
All of our pleaters and accessories are uploaded but we're still working on the site and will have EVERYTHING up asap.
A Pleater is a machine invented in the 1950's by the Read Company of South Africa as an easy way to make pleats for Smocking. This wonderful machine takes fabric that is fed in from the back and pushes it through rollers or gears that are grooved and when are meshed together with the fabric in-between pushes it onto specially designed needles which are threaded with quilting thread. Once it has come through the pleater off of the needles and onto the thread(s) it is blocked and sized waiting your beautiful smocking. Today there are several companies which make pleaters but we carry only what we consider the best investment for your money. Oh and we pay the postage for USA orders. Oh and ALL the pleaters come with ALL NEEDLES advertised in place.
Some Fine Pleaters to Choose From - Perfect for Smocking & Shibori silk dyeing techniques!
Please note: Our shopping cart is set up to charge shipping depending upon which shipping rate you choose. We have stated that the pleater prices include shipping but sometimes the cart will add in an extra rate which we ignore when we ship. If you have added in other items to your order we will charge whatever the extra weight will be. However some items can be included in your order without an extra charge, except for Thread Caddys ... these are pine boxes and we must charge you $12.50 to ship.
When checking out if you have ordered JUST a pleater choose the Pleater Rate to avoid confusion. Please note that sometimes people choose the Just the Pleater Rate to avoid paying shiping, hence the shiping charge on the receipt. We will NOT charge you shipping if you have just ordered a pleater. If you are ordering a pleater along with a caddy and other items please choose the standard rate for USA continental orders. Hawaii and Alaska will be charged $12.50 for pleaters due to the extra shipping charge for overseas orders.
Due to the devalued American Dollar to Australian Dollar the Amanda Jane Pleaters have gone up in price. The Reads remain the same.
Buying a Smocking pleater is a big investment, we understand and want to help you by trying to answer all of the questions you may have in order to help you in making your decision. Choosing the right one for your needs is not hard at all but the main question to ask yourself is "What am I going to be pleating all the time?". If the answer is always small stuff, for example for dolls or children and never more than 16-rows, then I suggest that you get either an Amanda Jane 16-row or the Pullen 16-row pleater. If you are going to pleat in small scale all the time then these are your choices. If you want to pleat more than 16 rows and like a wider spacing between your rows then the 24-row pleater is your best bet. (There is about 1/16th of an inch difference between the needle spacing of the 16 and the 24-row pleaters, so after 16-rows a piece pleated by a 24-row pleater is 1" longer than a piece pleated by a 24-row pleater.) If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask, we are here to help. Please note that our prices include shipping AND since we know all about smocking we are here to answer all of your questions that you might have on smocking and the pleater, so please don't hesitate to ask us anything about pleaters and pleating.
Amanda Jane Pleaters
Amanda Jane Super Pleater 24 rows with 23 half space rows
This is the new pleater is the one everyone is talking about. It has 47 half space rows (24 regular and 23 half space rows). No more hunting for the half spaces on full bodice smocking. Includes 47 needles
Amanda Jane 16-row
Excellent size for when you are working just with doll and infant clothing or if you want a narrower spacing of your pleats for picture smocking or a different variation for shibori. Includes 16 needles.
Amanda Jane 24-row
The same size as the Super Pleater but without all those extra half spaces. As you can see from the photograph there are half spaces on the first half of the pleater going from left to right. Fabric is fed from behind. Includes 24 needles.
Read Pleaters - Perfect for Shibori Work - Please note a price increase is coming in January, buy now at the lower prices. Read 24 Row Pleater Here is the latest innovation from Read Pleaters, the newly re-designed 24 row pleater. Smaller base makes for easier pleating. New side pin mechanism for ease in changing of the needles. For more infomation on the Thread Caddy click on link. Includes 24 needles Read 24 row Pleater Price: $193.50ppd Select Quantity Read 24-row Thread Caddy Price $48.00 Quantity requested Read Maxi 47 half space Pleater Here is the latest innovation from Read Pleaters, the newly re-designed 24 row pleater with half spaces all the way across the roller bar. Smaller base makes for easier pleating. New side pin mechanism for ease in changing of the needles. Includes 47 needles Read Maxi Pleater Price: $215.50ppd Select Quantity Read 24-row Thread Caddy Price $48.00 Quantity requested Read 32 Row Pleater Back in stock after a long absence, we now have the 32 row Read pleater from South Africa. Now you don't have to fuss with double pleating as 32 rows is a lot of area to smock (about 12"). Comes with 32 needles, a needle threader and a screw driver to replace the needles. Beloved of the fabric artists as you have more area to paint and dye. Read 32-row Pleater Price: $231.50ppd Select Quantity Read 32-row Thread Caddy Price $50.00 Quantity requested To order a Thread Caddy for your pleater please click on this link Thread Caddys. The Smocking most older Americans are familiar with is to either use gingham or dotted fabric or make dots onto fabric in rows and then pick up these dots in a precise manner to form pleats, this technique is still done today. In Australia I understand that Smocking on a Brick was a common method for making pleats and is still being used today when pleating heavy or piled fabrics such as Velvet or Velveteen. (To read an article written by Judith Brandau on this very subject, please click here.) There are also other methods that have sprung up from the inventive minds of the past several hundreds of years but thankfully today we have a little machine which does everything for us, well almost everything.
Read 24 Row Pleater
Here is the latest innovation from Read Pleaters, the newly re-designed 24 row pleater. Smaller base makes for easier pleating. New side pin mechanism for ease in changing of the needles. For more infomation on the Thread Caddy click on link. Includes 24 needles
Read Maxi 47 half space Pleater
Here is the latest innovation from Read Pleaters, the newly re-designed 24 row pleater with half spaces all the way across the roller bar. Smaller base makes for easier pleating. New side pin mechanism for ease in changing of the needles. Includes 47 needles
Read Maxi Pleater
Read 32 Row Pleater
Back in stock after a long absence, we now have the 32 row Read pleater from South Africa. Now you don't have to fuss with double pleating as 32 rows is a lot of area to smock (about 12"). Comes with 32 needles, a needle threader and a screw driver to replace the needles. Beloved of the fabric artists as you have more area to paint and dye.
The Smocking most older Americans are familiar with is to either use gingham or dotted fabric or make dots onto fabric in rows and then pick up these dots in a precise manner to form pleats, this technique is still done today. In Australia I understand that Smocking on a Brick was a common method for making pleats and is still being used today when pleating heavy or piled fabrics such as Velvet or Velveteen. (To read an article written by Judith Brandau on this very subject, please click here.) There are also other methods that have sprung up from the inventive minds of the past several hundreds of years but thankfully today we have a little machine which does everything for us, well almost everything.
Pleaters are also used for machine smocking and for the fabric painting process known as Shibori. One can get beautiful consistent pleats which are perfect for hand painting in what ever designs your Shibori painting moves you to make. Use with acid dyes (acid refers to the vinegar) that require no steaming (Procion Mx). Fabrics such as rayon or silk chiffon or wool challis pleat and dye with an elegance that is way beyond regular tie dye. If one were really creative and the mood to make something beautiful and original strikes you (and you might be suffering from a small case of Empty Nest Smocking Syndrome) one could make Shibori Fabric Sculptures and add in a little smocking here and there to keep the pleats in place. Here is just one example of Shibori made with a pleater from the book by Elfriede Moller "Shibori" ($17.95 follow link to see our Fabric Design Book Page)
If you want to add in a Thread Caddy to your pleater order we have to charge $10.50 for the shipping, but you can add any other items to your order without incurring extra shipping charges. Please choose the category "Pleater with Stuff" category when you get to check-out.
PLEATER THREAD CADDY
This nifty little box, hand made of pine, has a space for your pleater to sit up on top. Underneath the lid are slots to hold your spools of threads or wound bobbins. In front is a lucite bar with holes drilled into it to keep your threads neat and tidy and where you want them at all times. Shipping is $12.50 to add a thread caddy are a bit heavy. Please choose the "Pleaters With Stuff" category when you get to checkout to get the correct shipping charge, if you make a mistake no worries we will fix it and send you an email with the corrected total. To order a thread caddy for either the Read Maxi or the Amanda Jane Super please choose a 24 row caddy.
We also carry iron-on smocking dots if you wish to do your pleating by hand, or if you like we can pleat for you: up to 16 rows $3.75; 17-24 rows $5.50 or $5.50 for pleating a bishop dress, add $10 if you want me to cut it out and partially construct it.
New from Terri Wood - Pleating DVD
In this new pleating DVD by Terri Wood (see her Smocking Video) the quest for visual pleating information has finally been fulfilled. Techniques covered in this DVD include:
Orange for pleating - $2.45 per spool. Coats and Clark
Specially made needles for the various pleaters are sometimes very hard to get, almost if not impossible really so we suggest you order as many you think you'll ever need. We carry original needles for the Amanda Jane as well as the generic brand Bradley Needles which have been around for almost as long as the pleaters themselves. If you have a Mary's Pleater we can get you those needles as well. If you have a Durand Pleater order the Read 16 row needles
Original Read Pleater Needles
1 dozen Read Pleater Needles 16row Pleater (also fits the Durand 24 row pleater)
1 dozen Read Pleater Needles 24/32 row Pleater
May we also suggest you consider this book along with your purchase of a pleater, or if you already have a pleater this book is great for unveiling the mystery of the pleater.
This is the definitive guide to operating a smocking pleater and working with pleated fabric. Written by an expert in smocking and pleating, Saran Douglas gives you more information than you ever would want to know about pleating and working with pleated fabric. Covers the basic subjects and then goes into a comparison of the popular brands of pleaters and advanced subjects like pleating on the bias and curves. Included is a glossary of terms, pleating directions for all types of fabrics and pleater maintenance instructions. The layout of the book is set up as lesson plans on every type of pleating, exotic or regular. She certainly did her research well and it definitely shows. I recommend this book as a must have in every smockers library.
Iron-On Smocking Dots - $3.50 per package of two 24" x 36" sheets. Two styles and two colors: (Regular spacing and Pleater Compatible - blue or yellow)
Price $3.50 Quantity requested
Yellow Smocking Dots
Pleater Compatible spacing (to match the contemporary smocking patterns we sell).
Click here to read our latest newsletter on how to use these dots for bishop smocking.
Smocking Pro-portional Graph Paper - $4.00 for 25 sheets to a pad.
Sheets are 5 x 8 1/2", two styles Stacking (shown) or Regular.
From the Ellen McCarn Collection.
Smock and Block Guide for Bishop Dress & Blouse Necklines by Ellen McCarn $6.00 This handy tool which you can mount into a hoop or a picture frame has all the necklines of 18" AG dolls up through preemie/newborns to Adult necklines and is printed on heavy pellon. It also a blocking guide for inserts AND has a scallop tracing guide for hems and collars. The size of the scallops measure from 1" to 4". Price $6.00 Quantity requested Create A Plate Designer by Debbie Glenn $8.00 A kit which contains 4 sheets of heavy translucent paper with stacked cables printed onto it. The purpose of it is to place it over a picture of a design or over a design on a printed fabric that you wish to copy for smocking and then you color it in, et voila a pattern for smocking. Price $8.00 Quantity requested Pre-Pleated Insert for Smocking We have available white inserts (Imperial Broadcloth) 9 rows ready for smocking (smock 7) Price $4.75 Quantity requested 12 rows ready for smocking (smock 10) Price $5.50 Quantity requested 16 rows ready for smocking (smock 14) Price $6.75 Quantity requested Pleating Service Our policy is very simple, if there is no one near you who has a pleater or if you are tired of picking up the dots and want to get down to smocking we can pleat for you. Our fees are simple: $3.50 for up to 9 rows $4.50 for up to 16 rows $5.50 up to 24 rows $7.00 for pleating a bishop dress Postage is additional, just send us the same amount of postage as you paid. Turn around time is usually 48 hours, unless your fabric breaks a needle or is one of those difficult projects - then we take the time needed to complete the job, just let us know if you are in a hurry. Oh and if your project breaks a needle then we have to charge $1.10 per needle. Ready to Smock Dresses Well so many of you have requested this service so we are offering to make up a bishop or basic yoke dress in the ready-to-smock format for $70.00 (prices higher for Swiss Batiste or Pima Cotton fabrics). Here is our Ready to Smock page, more stuff to be added later. Check out the pattern details on this page for the styles available. Please drop us an e-mail if you are interested. ---->Finished shopping on this page? Send in your order to us here<---- To complete your order just click the SUBMIT button, or if you changed your mind click the RESET button. More items of interest: Embroidery Needles, Petite Piping and Little Labels are now on this page Notions 2
This handy tool which you can mount into a hoop or a picture frame has all the necklines of 18" AG dolls up through preemie/newborns to Adult necklines and is printed on heavy pellon. It also a blocking guide for inserts AND has a scallop tracing guide for hems and collars. The size of the scallops measure from 1" to 4". Price $6.00 Quantity requested
Create A Plate Designer by Debbie Glenn $8.00
A kit which contains 4 sheets of heavy translucent paper with stacked cables printed onto it. The purpose of it is to place it over a picture of a design or over a design on a printed fabric that you wish to copy for smocking and then you color it in, et voila a pattern for smocking. Price $8.00 Quantity requested
9 rows ready for smocking (smock 7)
Our policy is very simple, if there is no one near you who has a pleater or if you are tired of picking up the dots and want to get down to smocking we can pleat for you. Our fees are simple: $3.50 for up to 9 rows $4.50 for up to 16 rows $5.50 up to 24 rows $7.00 for pleating a bishop dress Postage is additional, just send us the same amount of postage as you paid. Turn around time is usually 48 hours, unless your fabric breaks a needle or is one of those difficult projects - then we take the time needed to complete the job, just let us know if you are in a hurry. Oh and if your project breaks a needle then we have to charge $1.10 per needle.
Our policy is very simple, if there is no one near you who has a pleater or if you are tired of picking up the dots and want to get down to smocking we can pleat for you.
Our fees are simple:
$3.50 for up to 9 rows
$4.50 for up to 16 rows
$5.50 up to 24 rows
$7.00 for pleating a bishop dress
Postage is additional, just send us the same amount of postage as you paid. Turn around time is usually 48 hours, unless your fabric breaks a needle or is one of those difficult projects - then we take the time needed to complete the job, just let us know if you are in a hurry. Oh and if your project breaks a needle then we have to charge $1.10 per needle.
Well so many of you have requested this service so we are offering to make up a bishop or basic yoke dress in the ready-to-smock format for $70.00 (prices higher for Swiss Batiste or Pima Cotton fabrics). Here is our Ready to Smock page, more stuff to be added later. Check out the pattern details on this page for the styles available. Please drop us an e-mail if you are interested.
Check out the pattern details on this page for the styles available. Please drop us an e-mail if you are interested.
To complete your order just click the SUBMIT button, or if you changed your mind click the RESET button.
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