What is a pleat in sewing?

A pleat in sewing refers to a fold of fabric that is sewn in place to create fullness. This technique can add shape and dimension to a garment or fabric item, allowing for decorative elements while also providing ease of movement. Pleats are commonly seen in garments like skirts, blouses, and tailored pants, where they contribute to the overall silhouette and fit. By securing the fabric in this way, the pleat maintains its structure and keeps the fabric from shifting, resulting in a polished and tailored look. The fullness created by the pleat can also aid in comfort, especially in areas where some extra space is preferred.

In contrast, the other choices describe different sewing techniques or embellishments. Fabric embellishments focus on decoration rather than structural construction, gathering involves fabric manipulation to create ruffles rather than folds, and trimming fabric edges concerns finishing techniques to prevent fraying rather than shaping through folding. Each of these concepts serves a distinct purpose in sewing, but only the definition of a pleat aligns specifically with the concept of sewing a fold of fabric in place.