Pleater Know-how Solid British craftsmanship and engineering for professional results, Pleating and smocking made easy, with a pleater you can really trust.

The Princess Pleater is the only pleater manufactured in the whole of Europe, or the USA. England is the home of smocking. For over 30 years we have produced this machine. Produced by craftsmen with traditional materials, it’s designed to be strong and long-lasting. The Princess Pleater has 24 rows with 47 half-spaced needle grooves along the 23.7cm wide brass rollers. Standard spacing per needle is 1.0cm, or for finer smocking using half-spaced needles, 0.5cm. The machine includes 24 needles fitted.

The process is simple, thread the needles, roll and feed in the fabric and off you go! Most fabrics pleat with ease, even needlecords and wools. The sides are open, so any width of fabric can be used. And handles at each end give complete control. Pleat depth is about 8mm, depending on fabric thickness.

Who uses the Princess Pleater?

• Amateurs and professionals in workrooms, dressmaking and artistic environments.
  
• Shibori artists enhance creativity, increase productivity.
  
• Schools, colleges, universities – for teaching.
  
• In fact, many students buy their own Princess because they are so impressed.
  
  The Princess all-British Pleater enables you to gather fabrics for smocking, shibori, etc. It will save you time and trouble with those tedious tasks, and let you get on with more enjoyable work.
  
  High-quality materials throughout. The base is varnished dense wooden fibre board. The side plates are solid aluminium, solid brass is used for the rollers. No adjustment should be needed, but it is important not to overtighten the screws holding the side plates to the baseboard.
  
  OPERATION:
  Thread as many needles as you need with the lengths of thread you require. You can remove any unwanted needles to save making needle holes in fabric where you want to avoid holes. See the section on changing or moving needles. Try a test piece first in case your first attempt would damage some valuable fabric. There might be some oil or transit grime left on the rollers – practice makes perfect.
  
  Best way is to roll your fabric around a wooden dowel stick about 10 to 20mm. thick, of suitable length. We do not supply the stick with the machine as your requirements will vary according to the size of the fabric pieces you want to use. It helps to attach the end of the fabric to the stick with adhesive tape for stability.
  
  Then slide the rolled fabric (on the stick) through the side loops of the upright coloured plates through which the rollers run, with the fabric coming off the bottom of the roll. Feed the leading straight edge of the fabric into the teeth of the top and bottom front rollers while turning the knobs gently, carefully ensuring that the fabric is taken up straight and evenly, as the start will determine the quality of the gathering across the whole piece.
  
  Keeping the tension even all the way across the fabric is important, this can take a few attempts to get right. You can use either or both turning knobs plus an extra dowel stick laid over the fabric as it comes off the bottom of the first dowel stick. This second stick will need to be about 28cm. in length.
  
  This second stick can be quite thick if you wish. What it does is to keep the tension even across the width of the fabric, while you have two hands free to turn the knobs. As you turn the knobs the fabric will pass through the rollers, emerging onto the needles and you will need to pull it onto the threads to keep the needles clear.
  
  If you meet strong resistance as you turn the knobs it may mean the fabric is becoming folded. If this happens you can reverse up to a quarter turn of the knobs to release jammed fabric, but it is best avoided by making sure the fabric is taken up straight and not folded as it passes through.
  
  FABRIC TENSION AND FINE SMOCKING:
  Probably the most important detail which affects the quality of the gathering you will achieve is the tension of the fabric. If there is too much ‘pull’ against the direction of movement of the fabric, you will put stress on the needles and possibly tear a fine fabric. Conversely if there is no tension (or different tensions across the fabric width) you are more likely to have ‘off line’ or unevenly gathered fabric, or even missed gathers. Again practise makes perfect and lots of users use no dowel quite effectively. It all depends on your individual style.
  
  By now you should have some gathered fabric – and that is all there is to it. Occasionally needles may break and these are easily changed.
  
  There are half-spaced grooves the full width of the rollers to be used if you wish to do very fine smocking. Simply move the needles or use extra ones to fill as many of these positions as you need.
  
  CHANGING, MOVING, REPLACING NEEDLES:
  Using a small screwdriver inserted in the slot in the black circular roller holders. These are recessed into the coloured side plates and they hold the removable roller in position. Push the slots to the vertical position and the roller can be lifted out or levered gently using your screwdriver.
  
  Now the needles will lift out easily and go back positioned just between the top and bottom front rollers where the fabric feeds in. The shoulder of the needle rests on the bottom back roller, the top back roller keeps the needles in place while gathering.
  
  SPARE NEEDLES
  Spare needles are available in packs of 16 at £7.50 for one pack, or £14.00 for two packs. For heavy users we do offer a lower price of £70.00 for 10 packs. These prices include UK post and packing.
  
  REPAIR AND TOOLS
  We do not supply any specific tools because all you are likely to need is a small screwdriver. To dismantle the machine (and it is very simple) for major cleaning or repairs you will need a cross-headed stubby screwdriver to loosen the screws under the bottom of the baseboard.
  
  Alignment is important, so is light lubrication. PRINCESS PLEATERS is owned by Geoffrey Magnay, and he will do all he can to ensure you have years of trouble-free use from your Princess.

Extended US Warranty: 1 year parts, 90 days labor on defects in materials and workmanship.

Non-US Warranty: 30 days parts and labor.

5 Pleater Training Videos: Know Your Pleater, Preparing the Pleater, Preparing the Fabric, Pleating the Fabric, Specialized Pleating

Includes 23 Half Spaces, 34 Needles and Rows across the entire 9" pleater needle brass roll, Smock Gathering Machine, Extra 12 Needles

Note: Amanda Jane Pleaters Made in Australia are no longer being made.
AllBrands imports the Read 16, 24 and 32 Row Pleaters which will continue to be available.
Read Pleaters have heavy duty stable base, plate with anti skid rubber feet, extra large side plate opening allowing for large capacity of rolled up fabric, simple pin type roller holding system allows for quick and easy needle access, comfortable and user friendly dual handles for maximum versatility, heavy duty solid brass rollers capable of handling heavier weight fabrics.

Like the Read 32 row, the Read 24 row MAXI has been redesigned and improved offering all the same great features with the difference being the number of half rows. Half row spacing span the entire length of the rollers. Half spaces can be used as guidelines when smocking or to better hold difficult fabrics that tend to open and bubble the pleats. Pleat half spaces on light to light-medium fabric only. Remove half row needles (every 2nd needle) when pleating medium to heavy weight fabric.

Half cm spacing across the entire width of the roller (47 needles). Half-spaces can be used as guidelines when smocking and to improve holding onto difficult fabrics which bubble (no body to the fabric, pleat collapses type fabrics). The MAXI can also be used as a Regular pleater (24 needles) by removing the half-space needles (every other needle)--needle spacing is then 3/8" apart. Heavy-duty stable base-plate with anti-skid feet. Extra large side-plate opening allowing for large capacity of rolled-up fabric on the dowel. Simple, pin-type roller holding system allows for quick and easy needle access. Comfortable and user-friendly dual handles for maximum versatility. Heavy-duty solid brass rollers. Capable of handling some heavy-weight fabrics, plus most lightweight fabrics.

• 24 row pleater has 24 needles
  
• plus 23 half spaces and needles, totaling 47 needles
  
• Brass rollers pleats 12 inch width of fabric
  
• Metal end brackets to match brass rolls
  
• Left and right hand turning knobs
  
• Mounted on base
  
• Made in South Africa
  
• Uses New Style READ Needles Only!
  
• The roller pin device is used in our new range 24 & 32-Row pleaters, whereas the 16-Row uses the original system which has two securing screws, which need to be loosened but not removed, in order to take out the removable roller to clean.
  
  South African Craft Magazines “Stitches” Article about the Read Pleater Company (.PDF)

Extended US Warranty: 1 year parts, 90 days labor on defects in materials and workmanship.

Non-US Warranty: 30 days parts and labor.

{Q} How do I change the needles?

{A} To replace the needles, remove the top front roller by removing the pins on each side. Lay the needles in the grooves with the tips going DOWN between the two back rollers and the curve laying over the lower front roller. It is helpful to lean the pleater back and prop it up by putting something under the front of the pleater to help keep the needles in place until the upper front roller is replaced and the pins are re-inserted into each end.

Princess Pleaters are Back In Stock! CNC machining of the brass bars, which is phenomenally accurate, Aluminum End Plates, Solid Base, Made in England, 0% Financing Available OAC for 6 Months.

Pleater Know-how Solid British craftsmanship and engineering for professional results, Pleating and smocking made easy, with a pleater you can really trust.

The Princess Pleater is the only pleater manufactured in the whole of Europe, or the USA. England is the home of smocking. For over 30 years we have produced this machine. Produced by craftsmen with traditional materials, it’s designed to be strong and long-lasting. The Princess Pleater has 24 rows with 47 half-spaced needle grooves along the 23.7cm wide brass rollers. Standard spacing per needle is 1.0cm, or for finer smocking using half-spaced needles, 0.5cm. The machine includes 24 needles fitted.

The process is simple, thread the needles, roll and feed in the fabric and off you go! Most fabrics pleat with ease, even needlecords and wools. The sides are open, so any width of fabric can be used. And handles at each end give complete control. Pleat depth is about 8mm, depending on fabric thickness.

Who uses the Princess Pleater?

• Amateurs and professionals in workrooms, dressmaking and artistic environments.
  
• Shibori artists enhance creativity, increase productivity.
  
• Schools, colleges, universities – for teaching.
  
• In fact, many students buy their own Princess because they are so impressed.
  
  The Princess all-British Pleater enables you to gather fabrics for smocking, shibori, etc. It will save you time and trouble with those tedious tasks, and let you get on with more enjoyable work.
  
  High-quality materials throughout. The base is varnished dense wooden fibre board. The side plates are solid aluminium, solid brass is used for the rollers. No adjustment should be needed, but it is important not to overtighten the screws holding the side plates to the baseboard.
  
  OPERATION:
  Thread as many needles as you need with the lengths of thread you require. You can remove any unwanted needles to save making needle holes in fabric where you want to avoid holes. See the section on changing or moving needles. Try a test piece first in case your first attempt would damage some valuable fabric. There might be some oil or transit grime left on the rollers – practice makes perfect.
  
  Best way is to roll your fabric around a wooden dowel stick about 10 to 20mm. thick, of suitable length. We do not supply the stick with the machine as your requirements will vary according to the size of the fabric pieces you want to use. It helps to attach the end of the fabric to the stick with adhesive tape for stability.
  
  Then slide the rolled fabric (on the stick) through the side loops of the upright coloured plates through which the rollers run, with the fabric coming off the bottom of the roll. Feed the leading straight edge of the fabric into the teeth of the top and bottom front rollers while turning the knobs gently, carefully ensuring that the fabric is taken up straight and evenly, as the start will determine the quality of the gathering across the whole piece.
  
  Keeping the tension even all the way across the fabric is important, this can take a few attempts to get right. You can use either or both turning knobs plus an extra dowel stick laid over the fabric as it comes off the bottom of the first dowel stick. This second stick will need to be about 28cm. in length.
  
  This second stick can be quite thick if you wish. What it does is to keep the tension even across the width of the fabric, while you have two hands free to turn the knobs. As you turn the knobs the fabric will pass through the rollers, emerging onto the needles and you will need to pull it onto the threads to keep the needles clear.
  
  If you meet strong resistance as you turn the knobs it may mean the fabric is becoming folded. If this happens you can reverse up to a quarter turn of the knobs to release jammed fabric, but it is best avoided by making sure the fabric is taken up straight and not folded as it passes through.
  
  FABRIC TENSION AND FINE SMOCKING:
  Probably the most important detail which affects the quality of the gathering you will achieve is the tension of the fabric. If there is too much ‘pull’ against the direction of movement of the fabric, you will put stress on the needles and possibly tear a fine fabric. Conversely if there is no tension (or different tensions across the fabric width) you are more likely to have ‘off line’ or unevenly gathered fabric, or even missed gathers. Again practise makes perfect and lots of users use no dowel quite effectively. It all depends on your individual style.
  
  By now you should have some gathered fabric – and that is all there is to it. Occasionally needles may break and these are easily changed.
  
  There are half-spaced grooves the full width of the rollers to be used if you wish to do very fine smocking. Simply move the needles or use extra ones to fill as many of these positions as you need.
  
  CHANGING, MOVING, REPLACING NEEDLES:
  Using a small screwdriver inserted in the slot in the black circular roller holders. These are recessed into the coloured side plates and they hold the removable roller in position. Push the slots to the vertical position and the roller can be lifted out or levered gently using your screwdriver.
  
  Now the needles will lift out easily and go back positioned just between the top and bottom front rollers where the fabric feeds in. The shoulder of the needle rests on the bottom back roller, the top back roller keeps the needles in place while gathering.
  
  SPARE NEEDLES
  Spare needles are available in packs of 16
  
  REPAIR AND TOOLS
  We do not supply any specific tools because all you are likely to need is a small screwdriver. To dismantle the machine (and it is very simple) for major cleaning or repairs you will need a cross-headed stubby screwdriver to loosen the screws under the bottom of the baseboard.
  
  Alignment is important, so is light lubrication. PRINCESS PLEATERS is owned by Geoffrey Magnay, and he will do all he can to ensure you have years of trouble-free use from your Princess.

Extended US Warranty: 1 year parts, 90 days labor on defects in materials and workmanship.

Non-US Warranty: 30 days parts and labor.

Discover the secrets of pleating! Introduction of different pleaters, care and maintenance of the pleater, preparing the pleater for pleating, pleating a bishop dress and pleating using a motor

• After teaching students how to use their pleaters for many years, Terri Wood now demonstrates her secrets for perfect pleating for you.
  
  
• Techniques covered include:
  
  
• Introduction of different pleaters
  
  
• Care and maintenance of the pleater
  
  
• Preparing the pleater for pleating
  
  
• Pleating a bishop dress
  
  
• Pleating using a motor.

Extended US Warranty: 30 days replacement if defective.

Non-US Warranty: 30 days parts and labor.

If Read 16 Row Needles are Out of Stock, pleaser order Ellen McCarn 16 Needles for the same price made in UK for Read, Pullen, and Newell 16 Row Pleaters Machines.

South African Craft Magazines “Stitches” Article about the Read Pleater Company (.PDF)

Non-US Warranty: 30 days parts and labor.

Non-US Warranty: 30 days parts and labor.

for Amanda Jane Australia, Sally Stanley South Africa, Marys and Dr. Joe Made in USA, for their 16 & 24 Row Smocking Pleater Machines

Ships by First Class Postage only.

Needles for Amanda Jane 16 & 24 Row AUSTRALIA, Sally Stanley 24 Row Pleaters NLA from SOUTH AFRICA

Extended US Warranty: 30 days replacement if defective.

Non-US Warranty: 30 days parts and labor.

These needles have been on backorder from the production department. We expect them to arrive sometime within the next 6-8 weeks. You should have received prior notification from our office.


Original Bradley Replacement Pleater Needles, 16 Pack for Martha Pullen, Newell 16 Row Pleaters (Use Read Needles for Read 16 Row)



(Read, Newell, Pullen, etc.)

Non-US Warranty: 30 days parts and labor.

For Read 24 & 32 Row Pleater Machines after 1998. These are Longer, NOT Interchangeable with Shorter 16 Row

• These needles are for NEW Read 24 and 32 row Pleaters made after 1998.
  
  South African Craft Magazines “Stitches” Article about the Read Pleater Company (.PDF)

Non-US Warranty: 30 days parts and labor.

*GP General Purpose Needles made by Read Pleaters in SOUTH AFRICA for Amanda Jane 16 and 24 Row Pleaters Made in Australia and for Sally Stanley 24 Row made in South Africa.

"Please change all of your needles at the same time so that you are not using old needles with new needles, especially if these are from a different source than where the last needles came from." John

Note: If changing from original Amanda Jane or Stanley Pleater needles, be sure to change all of the needles at once, so they are compatible! (same shape, weight and length)

• Allbrands.com now offers you the opportunity to buy high quality, premium pleater needles.
  
• These all steel needles are made in South Africa, England, and Australia and can be used on all pleater brands that we carry, except the New Style Read 24 and 32 Row.
  
• They are designed for use with hand quilting thread that will hold the pleated fabric together while not breaking the thread.
  
• The pleater needles are available in quantities of 16, 24, or 32 for your particular brand and model of pleater which you must specify below.
  
• Some needles are interchangeable between different brands of 16 and 24 needle pleaters and some are not.
  
• Therefore, please make sure that you specify so that we can make sure that we get you the correct needle.
  
• The Sally Stanley Company is no longer in business & the needles are not available. You may use Amanda Jane needles in your S.S. Pleater, but you must first remove all other needles first.
  

Non-US Warranty: 30 days parts and labor.

Six Strand Embroidery Floss (Art. 117)
This quality thread is perfect for stitching on all types of fabric:
* Made with 100% long staple cotton

* Double mercerized

* Brilliant six-strand divisible thread

* Colors are washable and fade resistant

* Size 25

DMC Cotton Embroidery Floss (Article 117)

• 100% long staple Egyptian cotton
  
• Double mercerized for brilliant sheen.
  
• Comprised of 6 size 25 easily separated strands
  
• 100% colorfast and fade resistant
  
• 454 solid colors, 18 variegated colors
  
  DMC Cotton Embroidery Floss is a soft thread made from 100% long staple Egyptian cotton and double mercerized to give it brilliant sheen. This superior quality thread is perfect for stitching on all types of fabric. It is comprised of 6 size 25 easily separated strands, allowing you to adjust the thickness of your stitching by using a different number of strands. DMC Floss is the most recommended and widely distributed thread in the world. Colors are 100% colorfast and fade resistant. DMC Cotton Embroidery Floss is available in 454 solid colors, 18 variegated colors and comes in 8.7 yards in a pull skein put-up. Made in France.
  
  Download DMC Embroidery Floss Color Chart Card
  

Non-US Warranty: 30 days parts and labor.

Allbrands.com has over 70 years of combined factory-trained mechanics experience in servicing portable sewing, serger, quilting, and embroidery machines. We now have premium professional repair services available on your sewing machines in-store or by mail.

For Portable Mechanical Sewing Machines without any electronics on board Minimum $199.99 Charge +$25 for Return Ship +Parts and Installation Labor. Minimum $299.99 charge for Portable Computer, Embroidery or Serger machines. Minimum $399.99 plus Freight for Multi Needle, Industrial, or Longarm machine heads. (do not send stands)

We are the Sewing Machine Doctors with a motto of Fix it Right The First Time with a warranty of 30 days on mechanical and electronic adjustments, not recleaning.
.
We Service AllBrands of Portable Machines: Brother, Babylock, Bernina, Elna, Juki, Kenmore, Necchi, Riccar, Pfaff, Singer, Viking, White, Simplicity.

Your sewing machine is your baby. We want to help you ensure the best quality stitches on your sewing, quilting, embroidery, or serger machine, that are well adjusted and running smoothly!

Review our simple 3 step process below to get started! Or, Click HERE to Email Attn: [email protected] or general mailbox Attn: [email protected] if you have any questions or want to send pictures, prior to placing your order

Mail-in or Ship in Service Plan for all portable home sewing and embroidery machines. Here is how the program works.

*$199.99 +25.00 Return Shipping Cost if mail order: on Basic Mechanical Portable Sewing Machines.

*$299.99 +25.00 Return Shipping Cost if mail order: Computerized Sewing, Embroidery Machines,Sergers, Portable Blind Hem Machines.

*$399.99 +Pallatized Freight Return Shipping Cost if mail order: on Multi Needle Embroidery, Industrial Sewing Machine Heads, and Long Arm Quilting Machine heads.

Step 1. Purchase the 149.99 dollars minimum charge repair service above plus 25 dollars added for our prepaid and insured return shipping costs in USA 48 States. $100 Upcharge for Electronic, Embroidery or Serger. $200 upcharge for Mulit Needle, Industrial, or Longarm Quilting Machines. We will email you an Authorization Number to put on the outside of the box for easy identification.

Step 2. Ship your machine insured to Allbrands.com, Attn: Service Department, 20415 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, La. 70817. Pack in original carton with all styrofoam and double boxed, or wrap in 5" of heavy bubble wrap and double boxed. Include your foot control, bobbin case, bobbin, power cord, thread, needles and fabric samples, hooped fabric with stabilizer, copies of any prior repair tickets, printouts of our email communication, order confirmation, and any written documents regarding the sewing problems you are having with your machine.

Step 3. We will service and ship your repaired machine back pre-paid and insured. If mechanical adjustments or parts are needed, our mechanics will email or call you for approval of estimates above our minimum service charges. Our charges includes removing covers, cleaning, oiling, replacing covers, and balancing thread tension in sew off. Our average repair bill includes and average of 2 mechanical or electronic adjustments

If your machine cannot be repaired or you do not want to pay for any additional parts or installation required,
the 25 dollar prepaid shipping charge will be used to return your portable machine to you un-repaired.

Why do I need to have my sewing machine serviced?

There are many moving parts in a sewing machine and if it moves, it needs lubrication. These days many of the moving parts are housed with computer circuit boards and wires around them. Our Sewing machine technicians are factory trained to maintain and service computerized sewing machines.

For best performance and years of sewing, our technicians suggest you have your machine serviced annually. Below is our 24-Point Tune-Up Checklist and a list of Sewing Machine Performance Tips that our technicians suggest between services.

Sewing Machine Performance Tips:

Keep your machine covered when not using it. Household dust, lint and pet hair can enter your machine in one of it's many openings causing all types of problems.

Keep your machine away from direct sunlight, high/low temperatures and humidity.

Use the right needle for your project and change your needle every 3 to 4 hours of sewing or after every other project. The needle is the major culprit for most sewing problems.

Use good quality thread.

Use bobbins made specifically for your machine and make sure your bobbin thread is wound tight and no loose threads are hanging.

DO NOT SEW OVER PINS! Your needle may break, you could damage the hook or pieces of the needle could fly up into your face.

Do not use canned air on your machine or blow into your machine. The lint is just being pushed further into the machine and you are spraying moisture into your machine which can cause corrosion or damage your circuit boards

Clean the bobbin area frequently. Refer to manual for instructions.

Have a 24 Point Inspection completed, at a qualified repair center, on your sewing machine once a year to keep it performing like new for years to come.

Extended US Warranty: 30 Days labor on defects in materials and workmanship.

Non-US Warranty: 30 days parts and labor.