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Accordion pleats are narrow, vertical folds in fabric that resemble the musical instrument of the same name. They are formed by folding part of the material behind itself and ironing the fold into place. Accordion pleats have enjoyed enduring and near universal popularity in fashion and can be seen on everything from oriental paper fans to kilts to cardboard alphabet folders. The fabricated accordion pleat is generally intended to be a permanent pleat, but may need to be ironed to retain or restore their initial crisp appearance.
Accordion pleats are narrow, vertical folds in fabric most commonly found in clothing or upholstery items, such as draperies. The name accordion folds comes from the fact that when the fabric is opened, its appearance resembles the musical instrument of the same name – an accordion. Accordion folds are formed by folding or folding part of the material behind itself and ironing the fold into place. The fold typically has a width of .125 to 1 inch (approximately 3.175 mm to 2.54 cm); a wider fold might be called a box fold.
An accordion is a keyboard with an expandable bellows chamber that is strapped around the player’s neck and played with an in-and-out movement of the arms. The bellows opens and closes, which is the movement duplicated by accordion pleated material. Rarely seen in contemporary ensembles, the accordion is thought to have originated in some form in the ancient Far East, but is best recognized for playing up-tempo European rhythms, such as the polka and some Latin rhythms.
Just as the accordion has gone international, accordion folds have also enjoyed enduring and near universal popularity. They can be seen on everything from oriental paper fans to kilts to cardboard alphabet folders. Accordion pleats have found popularity during many fashion periods in North and South America and in Africa.
Folding is usually done around the entire piece of material, or in groups of folds at repeating intervals like a layout. All the folds usually look in the same direction. A much wider piece of fabric is needed than the final desired width due to doubling the pleats.
With clothing or drapery material, the fabricated accordion pleat is generally intended to be a permanent pleat. After the dress, blouse, skirt or drapery endures a long period of wear or hanging, however, the folds may need to be ironed to retain or restore their initial crisp appearance. This can usually be carefully done at home by hand, at a business that does dry cleaning or alterations, or by a seamstress. The pleats can be pinned or sewn into place if a person wishes, but this will restrict the opening and closing movement, which might add less interest to the material.
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