Doubling over fabric

[Bugbear]

Hmmm, the folds of the pleats might be a problem because the outside layer of fabric has to stretch around the inside fold as it is forced into place. That would creat a difference in tinsion? between the inside and outside layers, even if they are completely fused together. I think that might result in a stage curtain wavieness with the length of fabric in a kilt.

Where as, with a single layer of woven fabric the yarns are a bit more free to move around each other. With two fused layers, the yarns are locked in place. I would guess that the swing would not be too good either.

[bossfrog]

Hmmm, the folds of the pleats might be a problem because the outside layer of fabric has to stretch around the inside fold as it is forced into place. That would creat a difference in tinsion? between the inside and outside layers, even if they are completely fused together. I think that might result in a stage curtain wavieness with the length of fabric in a kilt.

Where as, with a single layer of woven fabric the yarns are a bit more free to move around each other. With two fused layers, the yarns are locked in place. I would guess that the swing would not be too good either.

Yeah, that's kind of what I'm thinking might happen, but what the hey? I'll find out as soon as I get the pleats topstitched. If it doesn't work, I'm out about $22. If it does, maybe I'm on to something, eh? ;) Either way, I'll report back if anyone is interested. Thanks for the input.

[sydnie7]

I think Ted has nailed it. It will be impossible to perfectly align the warp/weft (horizontal and vertical threads) of the two fabrics when you fuse them. From that point on, one piece of fabric will be fighting what you try to do with the other piece. Fold a perfect pleat on the outer half, and you will be folding across several vertical threads of the inner half. Plus the difference in radius that Ted mentions.

You can get more "heft" from a lighter weight fabric by making the pleats deeper (i.e. put more fabric into the fold) and doubling the apron without fusing the two layers. This isn't the best solution but if you can't find the weight of fabric you want, it's one way to compensate.