Download free PDF Step by step guide 1.Mark up your pleats. Cut a small notch at the edge of the fabric at the top and bottom. Mark up the first pleat 1.5 cm from the edge and mark subsequent pleats at 2 cm intervals. The last pleat will be 1.5 cm from the edge.2.Pleat the fabric across the width, working from notch to notch. If you wish, you can fold the fabric around a strip of cardboard to make precise pleat folds. Press.3.Sew a line of stitching 0.5 cm inside the folding edge. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have sewn all the pleats.4.Model A. Press all the pleats to the same side. (starting point for B and C)5.Model B. Fancy pleats: Stitch across the pleats. Make sure the stitching lines are equidistant. Measure a distance of 5-6 cm between the lines of stitching. At each line of stitching, lay the pleats flat alternately from one side to the other. Carefully press over the stitching and about 1.5 cm on each side of the stitching to ensure that the pleats are even.6.Model C. Harlequin pattern: Sew the pleats to form a harlequin pattern. Hand-stitch at intervals of about 5 cm. Carefully press over the hand-stitching and about 1.5 cm on each side of the stitching to ensure that the pleats are even.