Quick and accurate

Press, 6 July 1983, Page 16

Quick and accurate

Read hand-powered pleating machines for smocking and shirring have been in production for nearly 40 years, starting with a 16row model like the original one Mr Read built for his wife. Now two further models newly out provide a choice between 16-row, 24-row and 32-row machines — all with refinements that make them more versatile, stronger and even easier to use. The primary purpose of the machines is to eliminate all the preparatory work for smocking; the ironing on of transfer dots and the laborious hand-gathering.

Quick and easy to operate, the pleaters are sturdily built and absolutely accurate. They handle fine pleating and shirring as well as normal smocking gathers, and the defined number of rows can easily be extended. Nor is there any limit to the width of the material that can be gathered. The solid brass rollers are now bigger and stronger, to handle even thick fabrics. For the last six years, an Ashburton couple, Isobell and Murray Page, have had the New Zealand-wide franchise to bring Read

pleaters into the country. Read machines have been coming here in small quantities, though, for about 25 years, so despite the sturdy construction, Isobell and Murray stock other parts and accessories besides replacement needles, and provide servicing as well.

The 16-row model is now priced at $125, and the 24row and 32-row models due in shortly will be about $l4O and $l9O respectively. With the resurgence in the popularity of smocking, the Pages are also able to offer a “good selection” of smocking books and patterns.