This is a decorative method of controlling fullness by creating a number of small pleats. These are evenly spaced and stitched to the required length. The width of the tucks can vary from pin tucks of 0.15cm - 1.25cm. These are machine stitched; the allowance needed for a tuck is twice the width of the finished tuck. These must be pressed before stitching in order to get a neat effect. For ease when making prepare a cardboard marker notched with the width of each fold.

WIDE TUCKS

• Fold the fabric along the thread on the right side of the fabric
• Stitch from the top of the right side of the tuck.
• Press the flat into position.
• Repeat this until you have reached desired amount of tucks.

PIN TUCKS

• Tiny edged stitched tucks 0.15cm wide.
• Fold the fabric along the right side edge for first tuck.
• Stitch along the right side.
• Press the tuck flat
• Repeat until you have the desired amount of tucks.

SHELL TUCKS

Suitable for blouses and children’s wear on fine fabrics.

• Prepare the tuck and tack at 0.6cm or less
• Work shell edging on top on the right side edging
• Open the fabric out a lightly press into position
• Repeat the process until you have the desired amount of tucks

HEM STITCHED TUCKS

This tuck is suitable for lightweight fabrics of a loose weave.

• Tack a line along the edge
• Draw out a thread finished width of tuck from each side of the fold line. Draw further threads for width required towards the fold lines so that the two lines of draw threads are prepared.
• Work the hem stitch from underside of the tuck and press.
• Press tuck flat into position.