Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Have questions? We've got answers! See below for answers to our most frequently asked questions. Help us keep our resources available to all by finding your answers here before contacting us.
SERVICES
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
Besides pleating, we are experts in smocking, which includes but is not limited to elastic through the needle, elastic shirring, plain shirring, multi-needle, decorative smocking & much more. We also specialize in unique stitching, such as embroidery, quilting, crochet, blanket, chain stitch, & far more. Check out our services page & our gallery for more information.
What is your general turn-around time?
For samples: 1-3 business days. For production : 5-7 business days, but is subject to your quantity, design, & degree of labor.
Do I need an appointment for a consultation?
We HIGHLY recommend you call, text OR email to set up an appointment so we can give you our undivided attention when you come in.
Do you have production or sample minimums?
We do not have any minimums but we offer discounts for larger quantities.
DO YOU OFFER SAME DAY SERVICES?
We can offer same-day services for SOME designs for a fee, but your fabric must be in our hands no later than 9 am.
HOW TO GET MY FIRST PROJECT STARTED?
We prefer if you email contact@twinspleating.com OR TEXT and let us know what you are sending and how much you are sending. Please include your full contact information including your full name, company name (if applicable), phone number, address and a picture/sketch reference of your desired design.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
We are located in the neighboorhood of Boyle Heights in East L.A. between Indiana and Esperanza, 10 minutes east of Downtown Los Angeles.
DO YOU WORK WITH PRODUCTION OR SAMPLES?
Yes, we do production with no minimum or maximum quantities. For an accurate production price, we must first run a sample.
DO YOU OFFER CUTTING & SEWING ?
We do not offer in-house cutting or sewing but can refer you to companies that do offer those services, including full-package services.
DO YOU TAILOR?
We DO NOT offer tailoring. Try your local dry cleaners!
WHAT CAN'T WE DO FOR YOU?
We do NOT offer tailoring, sewing, complete garment sewing, patches, laundry services.
HOW DO I SEND MY ORDER?
We prefer that you email contact@twinspleating.com with the subject line NEW PROJECT and let us know what you are sending and how much you are sending. Please include your full contact information including your full name, company name (if applicable), phone number, address, and a picture reference or sketch of your desired design.
DO YOU OFFER DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING?
Yes, we offer shipping services with UPS & FedEx for a fee. However, if you have an account with your preferred shipping courier please provide the account information when emailing about your order or shipping.
DO YOU OFFER TAILORING?
NO
WHAT ARE YOUR PRICES?
Pricing depends on quantity, labor & level of difficulty of design.
WHAT IS YOUR MINIMUM FEE ?
Our minimum sample fee starts at $60
DO YOU ACCEPT APPLE PAY?
Yes
DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS?
Yes, we accept all major credit cards with a 3% fee.
WHAT ARE YOUR PAYMENT OPTIONS?
We accept all major credit cards with a 3% fee, Zelle, Venmo, & cash.
DO YOU ACCEPT CHECKS?
Yes, BUT a check must accompany the work at the time of delivery/ drop-off and MUST CLEAR OUR ACCOUNTS BEFORE ITEMS CAN BE PICKED UP. May take anywhere from 3-5 business days.
DO YOU OFFER STUDENT OR MILITARY DISCOUNTS?
Yes, with proof of enrollment/ID. ID name must match billing address on payment method.
DO YOU CHARGE BY THE PIECE OR BY THE YARD?
It varies by design, but in most cases, we recommend producing by the cut piece because your yield will be greater. You are more than welcome to send fabric by the yard, but please take note of shrinkage ratio and prepare accordingly. [see shrinkage ratio specific questions below for pleating or smocking].
Shipping / Receiving
Pricing
Stitching
Smocking
Pleating
Do you offer domestic and international shipping?
How do I send my order to you?
Do you have other locations?
Where are you located?
What can't we do for you?
Do you offer cutting and sewing?
Do you offer tailoring?
Do you charge by the yard or by the piece?
What are your prices?
What is your minimum fee?
Do you offer student or military discounts?
When does payment need to be recieved?
What are your payment options?
Do you accept checks?
Do you accept credit cards?
Do you accept apple pay?
What services do you offer?
Do you offer embroidery services?
How do I prepare my project for embroidery?
Do you offer smocking?
How do I prepare my fabric for smocking?
What is the shrinkage ratio for smocking?
Can you smock by the yard?
Do you have a color card for smocking?
What fabric can I pleat?
How will I know if my fabric will pleat?
How do I prepare my fabric for sunburst (circular) pleating?
How much fabric do I send you for sunburst?
How do I prepare my fabric for accordion pleating?
What is the shrinkage ratio for pleating?
What is the shrinkage ratio for sunburst/ accordion?
Are there limits to how long or wide a fabric can be?
Can you pleat along the straight grain of the fabric?
WHAT FABRIC CAN I PLEAT?
We can pleat anything however, we can only recommend 100% polyester. Silks also pleat very well.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY FABRIC WILL PLEAT?
We offer a free 8.5”x11” sample of any design being worked on at the moment so you may test out your fabric.
HOW DO I PREPARE MY FABRIC FOR SUNBURST (CIRCULAR) PLEATING?
For sunburst pleating, make sure your fabric is pre-cut, pre-hemmed, & pre-pressed before sending it to us. However, you can also send fabric and we can pleat in a sunburst pattern. Our pattern is half-circles with a waist opening from 2 to 10 inches, depending on the number of pleats.
HOW MUCH FABRIC DO I SEND TO YOU FOR SUNBURST PLEATING?
It depends on your project. If your piece is under 36" in length, then send panels no wider than two yards per pannel/side. If your piece is over 36” send a minimum of 3.5 yards per panel/side.
HOW DO I PREPARE MY FABRIC FOR ACCORDION PLEATING?
If hemming, please hem and press before sending. If you have questions about the ratio please see below.
WHAT IS THE SHRINKAGE RATIO FOR PLEATING?
It varies by style, but the average shrinkage ratio is 2x1. For example, every yard that you need, send x2 yards. Some designs can be 3x1, so for every yard that you need, send x3 yards.
WHAT IS THE SHRINKAGE RATIO FOR SUNBURST/ACCORDION?
Essentially, these two pleats do not have a shrinkage ratio because you can bring it in or spread out the pleated fabric to your desired look. Therefore, most sunburst pleats do not have a shrinkage ratio.
ARE THERE LIMITS TO HOW LONG OR WIDE FABRIC CAN BE?
Machine pleating can only handle 60” wide fabric. Tabletop patterns/hand pleat/paper patterns maximum width is 72”.
CAN YOU PLEAT ALONG THE STRAIGHT GRAIN OF THE FABRIC?
We can pleat along the straight grain, but can only do so in pannels due to the width of machines and tables. However, we do have a limited selection of pleating designs that shrink on the width instead of on the grain.
DO YOU OFFER SMOCKING?
Yes, smocking is one of our specialties.
HOW DO I PREPARE MY FABRIC FOR SMOCKING?
We recommend smocking cut pieces only along the cross-grain of the fabric (where fabric has natural stretch). If you would like to keep the cost down keep your pieces under 14 inches in height. Why? Because smocking machines come in 4”, 8”, 12”, and 14” increments. Anything over 14” has to be put in a machine multiple times which increases your cost.
WHAT IS THE SHRINKAGE RATIO FOR SMOCKING?
The standard shrinking ratio is 2x1. For example, if you want 30” of a finished product, we need 60” of fabric. We can also calibrate our machines to give you a minimum ratio of 1.75x1 and a maximum ratio of 2.5x1 if fabric permits.
CAN YOU SMOCK BY THE YARD?
We only recommend smocking cut pieces due to the limitation of machine width sizes, with the largest machine size being 14”. However, we can smock pannels of 2 yards in length if fabric permits.
DO YOU HAVE COLOR CARD FOR SMOCKING?
We have all primary colors in stock as well as a variety of shades. There is a digital color card upon request. Please email contact@twinspleating.com and ask if the color you selected is in-stock as our vendor can discontinue colors.
DO YOU OFFER EMBROIDERY SERVICES?
We do offer embroidery services with a specialty in intricate designs.
HOW DO I PREPARE MY PROJECT FOR EMBROIDERY?
You can best prepare by emailing all details to contact@twinspleating.com and including a digital image/reference including - location, size of design, and preferred colors - to be used on your project. Digitizing is not necessary, but it is preferred. We also accept hand sketches to scale.
DO YOU OFFER SMOCKING?
Yes, smocking is one of our specialties.