I've noticed lots of garments in shops lately with this kind of detail. This pleat is created in the hoop and then decorated with the cross stitch design. I made the little dress to see if it was possible to put three pleats in one hooping, but it wasn't 100% successful.

That is very pretty, reminiscent of the 50's dresses I wore as a young girl. I have seen a lot more cross stitch becoming popular as well, I have continued my work with it in the Embird cross stitch module. I love the look, much more delicate I think.

Linda V

Very pretty Sue.

Thanks Sue, bought and put on my to do list :)

This is good, Sue. Could also be used for an 'action back' pleat on shirts, though it'd want a shorter design. Maybe a bit of barbed wire for a country shirt. You're very good at getting us thinking :)

Very pretty

Fantastic design! Going there right now. Thanks.

Beautiful dress for a precious little princess!

So creative... great idea.

A lovely way to dressup clothing. years ago I did these by hand it took close to a week, now a few hours..Thankyou Sue for making it easier

Very interesting idea. I definately like it. I get frustrated sewing clothes now though. I used to make all my clothes years ago. Now, forget it. I prefer quilting now. Hugs, Susan

Very nice - would it be possible to fit two pleats in - therefore leaving room in the middle for another design? Just an idea.

1 comment

by spendlove 11 Jun 2013

The two pleats could not be done in the same hooping due to the method.

It is adorable

I do like how it turned out. Nice inspiration from the ready to wear garments.

I love it, very intriguing turn out very nice.

It is so very pretty Sue I love the pleats with the cross stitch! super job, hugs Loralye

beautiful

wow

Excellent work!

Oh....it is sew cute!!! Great job!!!

Oh, Sue, this is terrific....great stitching!

Love thee idea hugs

this is very pretty. really sets off pleats. great job as always

This is nice. I can see me with a similar top...THANKS for sharing ;D *2U

1 comment

by spendlove 11 Jun 2013

The design is available in three lengths, The one pictured fits 4x4, but the others give longer pleats for adult clothes.

Lovely decoration to this dress! Those embroideries turn simple dresses in designer items, especially the cross stitch ones as it gives it the handmade look.
I have sewn pleats like this first, then embroidered all three in one hooping. I think it's a matter of either stitching the pleats at the precise distance and embroider once, or, like you did hoop them one by one very carefully.

4 comments

by mad14kt 11 Jun 2013

Mops, I agree...very Designer Item Look ;D *2U

by spendlove 11 Jun 2013

Creation of the pleat is part of the design which makes it almost foolproof. My first method allowed three to be done in one hooping but it wasn't fool proof (Look carefully at the dress for the evidence!)

by mops 11 Jun 2013

I noticed. And I can understand why, only the first will be foolproof, the other two would miss one stitching line. It could only be foolproof if you had a boxpleat in the middle and two single pleats at the sides.
Isn't it fun to work out the mechanics of these designs.
I made a design for decorated side pockets in childrens pants couple of years back and still use it.

by joansatx 11 Jun 2013

Good discussion! Cute dress! My grandmother made one-of-a-kind dresses for a baby shop with lots of detail by hand. So of course, all the little granddaughters got some too.This kind of embroidery with pleating reminds me of them. That was a long time ago because if she were alive she would be 112! She would be so impressed with you ladies!