Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming parallel and non-parallel pleats in a fabric structure such as a curtain or drape includes a generally planar baseplate and a segmented forming member hingedly attached thereto and overlying the baseplate. The segmented forming member includes a first template and at least one second template which are hingedly connected together, each of the first and second templates having a leading edge and a trailing edge wherein the first template trailing edge is hingedly connected to the baseplate and wherein the second template trailing edge is hingedly connected to the first template such that a portion of the second template overlies a portion of the first template and such that the first template leading edge and such that a pocket a fabric-forming pocket is defines between the first template leading edge and the second template trailing edge.

Abstract: An apparatus for pleating cloth especially to make miniaturized drapes comprising a rectangular frame having a number of flexible rectangular slats movable along the length of the frame. In the preferred embodiment, the slats are placed on wire guides at two opposite ends of the frame and are movable on the guides, and in the alternative embodiment the T-shaped ends of the slats are placed within a U-shaped tunnel running along the length of the frame.The fabric to be pleated is interwoven between the slats, the slats are compressed to one side of the frame, and steam is applied to the fabric supported by the frame. Steam may be applied to the opposite side of the frame with fabric thereon, the fabric is allowed to dry, and it is subsequently removed from the frame, adjusted to a desired shape, steamed and allowed to dry, thereby retaining its pleated shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for pleating cloth especially to make miniaturized drapes, comprising a rectangular frame having a number of flexible rectangular slats movable along the length of the frame. In the preferred embodiment, the slats are placed on wire guides at two opposite ends of the frame and are movable on the guides, and in the alternative embodiment the T-shaped ends of the slats are placed within a U-shaped tunnel running along the length of the frame.The fabric to be pleated is interwoven between the slats, the slats are compressed to one side of the frame, and steam is applied to the fabric supported by the frame. Steam may be applied to the opposite side of the frame with fabric thereon, the fabric is allowed to dry, and it is subsequently removed from the frame, adjusted to a desired shape, steamed and allowed to dry, thereby retaining its pleated shape.

Abstract: A method of producing edge-printed, flare-pleated fabric garment pieces in which a fabric garment piece is placed in a corresponding pleating form and is held folded together with the form, thermal printing paper is so laid on the front edges of pleat creases visible in the form that its color-yielding face lies on the edges of the pleat creases, and in which pressure is applied to the back of the thermal printing paper with the simultaneous application of heat.