This 5-day workshop offers a deep dive into the art of textile pleating and unleashes individual creativity.

Dewi Brunet will reveal the secrets of classic pleats and more complex patterns, combining traditional methods with innovative techniques. Participants will leave with their own creations, new skills, and a fresh perspective on pleating, inspired by the fascinating forms of nature.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Practice different pleating techniques
• Pleat without a steamer
• Design your own pleating mold
• Pleat different materials
• Imagine applications for pleating
• Observe the world through the lens of pleating

A centuries-old textile art, pleating originated in ancient Egypt and has spread through numerous traditions across the world. Long reserved for haute couture, it now attracts artists, designers, architects, and scientists thanks to its aesthetic and functional qualities.

One of the main techniques involves folding two sheets of paper, or "molds," inserting the fabric, then folding the whole thing again before steaming to set the pleats. This is precisely the method that will be explored in the workshop, where participants will discover the vocabulary, tools, methods, and materials specific to the pleating craft.

Combining theory and practice, this workshop offers progressive exercises allowing participants to experiment with classic pleats (accordion, flat pleat) as well as more complex shapes such as Yoshimura or chevron. Each participant will leave with their own molds and will discover techniques and materials for designing or reusing these molds beyond the workshop.

Finally, the workshop encourages a fresh perspective on pleating, exploring its potential applications, creative processes, and the diverse inspirations that nature and living organisms offer to textile pleats.

Schedule

Day 1

Morning

• Introduction and presentation of the week's schedule and objectives
• Presentation on the differences and complementarities between origami and pleating
• Sensory awakening: handling folds, pleats, and creases to stimulate visual and tactile perception

Afternoon

• Spontaneous folding: exploration of the Kresling and Yoshimura folds.
• Moving from 2D to 3D: introduction to folding vocabulary and notation.
• Discovering the accordion fold and introduction to the crystal fold

Day 2

Morning

• Folding practice: warm-up with an origami Traditional
• Pleating demonstration, explanation of methods and best practices
• Introduction to flat pleats: box pleat and knife pleat
• Creating the first pleating mold and initial practical tests

Afternoon

• Introduction to the radial pleat
• Making pleating molds
• Experimenting with pleating on different materials

Day 3

Morning

• Pleating: warm-up with traditional origami
• Towards volume: introduction to the Yoshimura fold and exploration of its rules and limitations

Afternoon

• • Guided observation: identifying folding patterns in the immediate environment
  • Introduction to the chevron fold
  • Making a three-dimensional mold (Yoshimura and/or chevron)
  • Binding and pleating techniques

Day 4

Morning

• • • Folding: Warm-up with traditional origami
    • Exploring more complex patterns
    • Discovering and practicing the Folding Loom to facilitate production and experimentation

Afternoon

• • • Third method of mold folding: tracing and precise measurements
    • Introduction to digital tools to extend and enrich the work (software and machine)

Day 5

Morning

• • • Folding: Warm-up with traditional origami
    • Exploring advanced patterns

and/or creation of a large mold

• Possible application of pleating to a concrete project

Afternoon

• • • Presentation of work in a group session and feedback
    • Personalized advice and recommendations for continuing practice after the workshop
    • Workshop cleanup

• Classroom, multipurpose room, workshops with professional equipment
• Materials provided
• Individual and collaborative work
• Workshop sessions
• Active participation and experimentation by participants are encouraged

• Group and individualized monitoring of work, regular check-ins
• Self-assessment of technical skills
• Group presentation
• Attendance sheet for each half-day
• Certificate of completion issued by Campus MaNa