If the material is too light, use it double - have a selvage and a cut edge at the top and a fold at the bottom edge. Iron the folded fabric carefully on the inside and press in the lower fold before starting to pleat - just check the layers match up as you work - push a pin through against a vertical line and see that it emerges by the same vertical on the other side.

If you have the cut edge a fraction lower than the selvage and at the back, as you pleat much of the raw edge is enclosed.

Doubling up is a ploy often used to make stage costumes from lighter than period fabric, to make it move right.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: