What is a Smocking Pleater?

A smocking pleater is a machine invented by the Read Company of South Africa in the 1950's to make pleats for smocking.
It takes fabric that is fed in from the back and pushes it through grooved rollers
onto specially designed needles which are threaded with strong thread.
Once the fabric is pleated, it is blocked and sized in preparation for your beautiful stitching.

Read Smocking Pleater

Read 24 Maxi

The Read 24 Maxi has 23 half space rows. Included are 47 needles.
The half space rows are perfect for those stubborn fabrics that do not want to hold the pleat
when the needle rows are 1 cm apart.
They also provide a wonderful guideline for picture smocking or intricate stitchings.
This pleater has
- a wide heavy duty base with anti-skid feet,
- extra large side plate opening to allow for greater capacity of fabric to be rolled on the dowel
- has handles at both ends--handy for the left handed person or if you want to pleat from the back.
- simple pin type system for removing and replacing the rollers giving easy access to the needles.
-heavy duty solid brass rollers.
-capable of handling some heavier weight fabrics like featherweight corduroy
and soft denim plus most lightweight fabrics too.

SP-READMAXI.....by special order only -
email for price and please include your location.

Sally Stanley Smocking Pleater One used 24 row pleater tested with needles Has 7 half spaced rows. Works very smoothly and makes perfect pleats. 24 needles included Additional needles are available for purchase. The Sally Stanley pleater is in the original box and has the original instructions included. SP -SallyStanley....sold
Used 16 row Martha Pullen Pleater Tested Includes 16 needles plus 24 extra needles Has 10 half spaced rows As I am unable to get more Pullen needles, I have tested the pleater using the Read 16 row needles and they work very well. You just cannot interchange the two brands of needles in the same project. Original instructions are included SP-Pullen......sold
Link to Secure Order Page Order Minimum is $10.00 before shipping and any applicable taxes.
Smocking Pleater Thread Caddies Smocking Pleater Rods Smocking Pleater Replacement Needles Smocking Index

Help to Get Started using Your Smocking Pleater
Sarah Douglas Pleater Manual This is a required text. Anyone who uses a pleater should have this book at hand. Every question is answered: how to start; how to finish; types of fabric; types of thread; and just about anything else you can think of. Learn how the pleater works and how to care for it. The best reference available! Everything there is to know about using a pleater regardless of the brand. 72 pages BH-049....My Price: $39.98
Pleating DVD Pleating with Martha Pullen and Dody BakerTopics covered: Pleaters and their Parts Types of Fabric Preparing to Pleat Inserting and Threading the Needles Pleating Basics Bishops and Overlays Plaids Pleated Sections Elastic Thread Pleating tips Wow that's a lot DVD-006.........$69.98
Link to Secure Order Page Order Minimum is $10.00 before shipping and any applicable taxes.
Smocking Pleater Thread Caddy Smocking Pleater Rods Smocking Pleater Replacement Needles Smocking Index

Smocking Pleaters

Read Smocking Pleater

Read 24 Maxi

Sally Stanley Smocking Pleater

Used 16 row Martha Pullen Pleater

Help to Get Started using Your Smocking Pleater

Sarah Douglas Pleater Manual

Pleating DVD