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[bajintas]

Hi, I’m having trouble sewing pleats for a car seat, using @John s easy tuck and roll method.
I have both my vinyl and the scrim foam measured at 580mm.
When I finish sewing one length, the vinyl has shrunk by 10mm.
Could it be I have cheap vinyl, cheap scrim foam, or possibly my presser foot pressure is too high.
I have learned that pleats should be sewn at right angles to the stretch of the vinyl, so it’s not that.

Any suggestions most welcome
Thank you
Bob

[MalcolmM]

One of John's videos describes "shrinkage" due to sewing with foam, quite useful. Best to test your stitching on scrap material and then add extra for the shrinkage allowance, the thickness of the foam and the width of the pleat, as well as how your sew the seam will all affect the rate of shrinkage.

[bajintas]

Thanks @MalcolmM , John describes shrinkage across the pleat, and I have that figured out. What I’m talking about is shrinkage down the length of the pleat, so my top vinyl finishes up 10mm shorter than I started with

[Rhonda]

Hi, I’m having trouble sewing pleats for a car seat, using @John s easy tuck and roll method.
I have both my vinyl and the scrim foam measured at 580mm.
When I finish sewing one length, the vinyl has shrunk by 10mm.
Could it be I have cheap vinyl, cheap scrim foam, or possibly my presser foot pressure is too high.
I have learned that pleats should be sewn at right angles to the stretch of the vinyl, so it’s not that.

Any suggestions most welcome
Thank you
Bob

[Rhonda]

in your measurements did you use the worksheet he provides ? lets you figure your cut lengths and widths correctly. they work i have to use them .

[bajintas]

Hi @Rhonda , yes I did. Finish length = 560mm, SAT = 20mm, Cut length = 580mm.
After sewing one length, my vinyl has shrunk to 570mm

[Rhonda]

i always cut extra , but my measurements are not always right , I can't count the times my measurements have been off.
i have had the same issues . good luck to you and all you do , these upholstery jobs are not easy , if it were easy everyone would be doing it.

[bajintas]

Thank you @Rhonda , I’ve come to the conclusion that with several layers of material stretching this way and that, it’s just about impossible to get it exact.
So I think you’re right. Just add a bit more.
No definitely not easy. But it’s fun and very rewarding when you get it right.

[BigRig]

@bajintas ,

You can always cut off but not add on. Material is very expensive per yard even pattern material so I tend to be carefull but have accepted that there is a lot of waste.

[bajintas]

Thanks @BigRig , sure is expensive. Locally, “cheap” vinyl is $25 a metre and the good stuff is about $32, so I don’t like to waste it. But as with learning any skill, there’s a lot of practice involved and therefore a lot of waste.

[BigRig]

@bajintas , actually more waste when working commercially. I do not have the time to fuss and muss anymore so lots goes in the scrap bin.

[MalcolmM]

Thanks @MalcolmM , John describes shrinkage across the pleat, and I have that figured out. What I’m talking about is shrinkage down the length of the pleat, so my top vinyl finishes up 10mm shorter than I started with

Test. When I have done diamonds or faded diamonds I do a test sew with a premeasured piece of fabric then measure the results. The foam is the culprit more than the top fabric so you can use a cheap substitute over the foam to measure, you don't have to waste your best material. John's worksheet is very useful, but testing is best when you have unusual shapes or your material is expensive.