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.

Which PLEATER should I buy? What are the differences between the various pleaters?

At SEW FANCY we sell all brands of PLEATERS. Most PLEATERS have the same basic features, however the information that follows may help you decide which PLEATER is best for you!
Contact us if you have any questions.
Remember all prices are in Canadian dollars.

The Super Amanda Jane Pleater

This top-of-the-line pleater from Australia has all of the features of the Amanda Jane pleater plus it has 47 half-spaced rows 24 regular and 23 half-spaced rows. The pleater comes with 47 needles. The half spaced rows are ideal for pleating material that does not hold the pleat well when the threads are 1 cm apart. The half spaced rows are wonderful as guidelines for smocking. This pleater is very popular with smockers who love its adaptability and flexibility in pleating.

SP-SAJ....My Price: $339.00

Read 24 Maxi

The Read 24 Maxi has all the features of the Read 24 plus it 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 is gaining popularity as it has so many wonderful features.

SP-READMAXI......My Price: $299.99 Limited quantity available

Read 32

There is no need to double pleat as this pleater will pleat a full 12"at one time. Made in South Africa by the original pleater company, this pleater has 32 needles and 15 half spaces (half the length of the roller). Complete with left and right running knobs, brass rollers, an extra large heavy base with anti skid feet and side plates that have a large capacity for rolled up fabric, this pleater is for the serious smocker. 32 needles come with the pleater.


SP-READ32....My Price: $339.99 Only 1 available

The Dr. Joe Pleater

This sturdy American-made pleater has many unique and wonderful features. The pleater sits on a acrylic white base that makes needle threading easy. No need for a thread box as the attached thread holder places full bobbins ready to feed each needle as you pleat. The 24 full-space rows and 23 half-space rows enable 48 half-space pleating or 24 full-space rows at a time. Large end openings permit pleating thicker fabrics. We include 48 Dr.Joe needles to get you started. Replacement needles are available from Sew Fancy.

SP-DRJOE.... Available by special order.

The Pleater Box

This product is a solid, hand-constructed, wooden box made in the USA, and designed for a pleater. Available to fit the Amanda Jane only. The top is designed to hold the pleater firmly in place without slipping, thus allowing free hand movement. Inside the boxed, rows are created to hold the spools of thread with thread guides to prevent tangling. An excellent addition to your smocking notions. You will never have to measure or guess how much thread to cut for a project again.

Super Amanda Jane Pleater Box.....SP-BOX-AJ................$74.99

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 the differences between various brands. The best reference available!

Everything there is to know about using a pleater regardless of the brand.

BH-049....My Price: $29.98

Magnetic Feed Rod

This is a handy device for rolling up fabric. The split rod has magnets running the entire length to make fabric roll up a breeze,
SP-ROD.....$32.98  Limited quantity available.

Pleater Replacement Needles -
Amanda Jane (Pkg of 12 needles)               SN-AJ... $26.00

Sally Stanley (Pkg of 12 needles)                SN-SS ... $26.00

Pullen Regular Length (Pkg of 12 needles)  SN-PN-REG ... $26.00

Pullen Self-Strip Short (Pkg of 12 needles) SN-PN-SHORT ... $26.00

Read 16 Row (Pkg of 12 needles)                SN-READ-16 ... $26.00

Read 24/32 Row (Pkg of 12 needles)           SN-READ-24/32 ... $26.00

Doctor Joe (Pkg of 12 needles)                   SN-DR-JOE.... $26.00