Chapter 20 - Tucks

Tucks, like darts, are made to take in excess fullness and to mold the fabric to the body lines. They are also used as decorations. The main difference between a tuck and a dart is that darts are stitched to a point, while tucks are stitched in a straight line. They may be stitched on the right or wrong side. To make really professional looking tucks, use the machine tucker which marks the width of each tuck and the spacing between. It is most important that this be accurate.

Plain tuck is made by folding the cloth and stitching the desired distance from the fold. Use a gauge to get it absolutely straight.
 
Pin tucks are very tiny tucks that may be done by hand with tiny running stitches or by machine. They are very decorative on sheer fabrics.

Hand-run tucks are tucks done with very small running stitches, fine needle and thread.

Overhand tucks are very shallow tucks used for circular lines. Mark the line carefully, take up only a few threads of cloth and overhand over the marking. If desired, use contrasting thread or two lines of stitches, one worked from the right, the second from the left, to get a cross-stitched effect.

Nun's tucks are tucks on flares. Crease the line and baste close to fold. Press, baste proper distance from fold, and stitch.

Cluster or group tucks are several tucks in a row. Watch spacing carefully and end off with backtracking or securely tied knot. Very often ended off in a slanting line.

Shell tucks are decorative and have a scalloped effect. Make tuck, and measure the shells, using a pencil dot marking. Shells are often ¼ inch deep and ½ inch long, although they may be finer or wider. At each dot, make two tight overhand stitches, then three or four running stitches and repeat over-handing at next dot. Or, pass needle under cloth between overhand stitches.

Crossed tucks are pretty for decorative effects. Make all horizontal tucks, press fiat and carefully stitch vertical tucks.

Corded tucks. Encase cord in tuck and run by hand, or machine stitch with cording foot.

Graduated tucks are a series of tucks increasing or decreasing in size. Measure carefully and baste first to be sure effect is right before stitching.

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