This week, I had a couple of projects which required some pleating here and there, so I thought this would be the perfect time to share some suggestions about making pleats. The number one goal when making a pleat is not to create a “crumb catcher.” There are two simple ways to prevent this upholstery no-no.
When diamond tufting this headboard, I was conscientious to make sure that all of the pleats were pointing down. Leaving a pleat facing up is inviting all kinds of crumbs and bits to find their way in there.
The purpose of a pleat is to help neatly hide excess fabric. You will find that pleats are almost always necessary when upholstering rolled arms. In the past, I’ve tried to dictate where my pleats would go, but I’ve learned that the fabric will let you know when it needs to be pleated as it gathers. Do your best to mirror pleats from one side to the other if there is a symmetrical side to what you are upholstering.
Another tip for keeping pleats tidy is to be sure to pull them nice and tight. A loose pleat looks sloppy and is vulnerable to kids and pets poking around in there.
So, there you have it! Point your pleats downward and make them tight. These are really easy things to do that will help your upholstery projects look better for longer.