03-07-2020, 10:37 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-07-2020, 10:41 AM by squeak.
Edit Reason: extra info
)
You used to be able to buy glazed cotton batts in various widths on a continuous roll, this for inserting into pleats that are formed by sewing your cover to calico. The pleats are open ended and are hand stuffed by first laying the batt into a lightweight sheet metal channel that is covered by an identical channel. Shove the whole lot up the pleat and you can slide out ONE of the stuffing irons. The batt now grips the fabric and you can slide out the other iron, job done.
I used to staple the end of a strap of 1mm clear plastic (leftover from sidecurtains), to a strip of plywood (plank). Lift up the strap and lay the batt (or cut width of 1" foam) onto the plank, shove it up the pleat, peel out the strap cos it's flexible, batt grips your cover and you can pull out the plank.
Not sure if you can still buy batts but cotton wadding is still available in thicker sizes. One could unroll some and spray a light mist of contact on both sides to stiffen and THEN proceed to cut your batts.
You will have to experiment with your batt (width and thickness) to pleat size, the wadding is usually peelable.
With some practice if you are using 1" foam, you can achieve a tapered edge batt by spraying the edge with contact and depressing the edge with your index finger and simultaneously pinching using your other hand. One edge at a time.
I should add the stuffing irons can be used in a closed end pleat, the plank and strap can only be used when open both ends.
I used to staple the end of a strap of 1mm clear plastic (leftover from sidecurtains), to a strip of plywood (plank). Lift up the strap and lay the batt (or cut width of 1" foam) onto the plank, shove it up the pleat, peel out the strap cos it's flexible, batt grips your cover and you can pull out the plank.
Not sure if you can still buy batts but cotton wadding is still available in thicker sizes. One could unroll some and spray a light mist of contact on both sides to stiffen and THEN proceed to cut your batts.
You will have to experiment with your batt (width and thickness) to pleat size, the wadding is usually peelable.
With some practice if you are using 1" foam, you can achieve a tapered edge batt by spraying the edge with contact and depressing the edge with your index finger and simultaneously pinching using your other hand. One edge at a time.
I should add the stuffing irons can be used in a closed end pleat, the plank and strap can only be used when open both ends.