I made box pleated valances for my bedroom. Love them! EXCEPT the pleats are not as sharp as I'd like.

What can I do to make them sharper? The fabric is a heavy almost upholstery quality fabric.

Here's a pic that I took when I made them and they are losing their pleats a little more over time.

topstitch those suckers then doubl-dog dare 'em to go floppy on you. ;-)

get the Heavy Duty Spray starch and steam in your iron

There was a product mentioned at my LQS but I don't remember what she called it. Someone mentioned it on this forum too. It is a spray and it makes the fabric bend and stay pressed. It doesn't harm the fabric though. And it came in different scents. hmmmm.....no, the name still escapes me but someone here will have better brain cells than me and they will know. :lol: Or you could ask at a qult shop.

When I was in high school I made wool pleated skirts to wear to school (boy am I dating myself now!!) The way I got the pleats to stay was to use a damp pressing cloth and a dry iron. Just lay the pressing cloth on top of your pleat and then iron. I hope this helps some.

Thanks ladies! Does anyone know the name of the product 2 Doods mentioned?

Starching is good, but will eventually wash out. I am with Patrice, just topstitch them and all the gravity in the world won't pull them pleats out. :-)

I just googled it because it is driving me nuts that I don't remember-
I think it is called Mary Ellen's Best Press. I know the owner of my LQS raves about it. She mentioned it again at my class. Looks like it is a type of starch. Sharon (from the LQS) says it makes the fibers bend and lay flat. She uses it on her blocks. Might be worth a try. Lavender for the bedroom is suppose to help you sleep :lol:

:D They look perfect to me....Great job :lol:

Talk about dating yourself, I remember way back when we wanted sharp creases in the jeans. I mixed a little bit of vinegar with water and with a cloth dabbed the crease and then ironed. They really stayed in.