How To Make Wave Tucks Using a Beginner Sewing Machine

 

The wave tucks are a modification of pintucks. They are beautifully winding and quite easy to make if you know how. I usually do this by adjusting the stitch length and running a few lines. This technique is quite easy and can be done on any sewing machine. In case you are looking for a new sewing machine, consider buying an easy to use sewing machine for beginners that comes with basic stitches and user-friendly features.

When you want to make these tucks, remember that cotton, sateen, polyester, rayon, and silk are more suitable for wave tucks than others.

To have even tucks, mark the fabric accurately. First, test the pen or chalk you intend to use and then decide if you want to mark on the right or wrong side.

 

 

Tracing can be done by hand or machine. If you choose the wrong side, tracing is necessary in order to see the line on the other side.

Another thing to consider is how deep the seam allowance goes. Since these tucks bring along bulk for your seams, I usually start 1” or ½” from the edge to prevent it from getting caught in the seam when you sew.

Now put the piece of fabric you want to make wave tucks on a flat surface.

Use a ruler and a pen or a piece of chalk, mark the lines that the tucks will follow later. If I want my tucks to be 1” away from each other, I will draw a number of lines that are 1” apart. The number of tucks are also the number of lines you need to mark.

We match up the lines by folding the fabric together. Use pins to keep the folds in place. To be extra careful and make your job easier, press the edges thoroughly.

 

You don’t need a special stitch type for this, the basic straight stitches are enough. This stitch type is so basic that all machines can make it easier.

➤➤➤ See Also: Best Computerized Sewing Machine For Beginners

Now locate the base of the marked tucks and sew on them. The key here is to sew the base, not the folded edges.

 

 

When you are done sewing all the pleats, take the project out and place it on the flat surface again. We will be marking the second time, right side faces upward.

With the pen or the chalk, you use earlier, draw lines intersecting or perpendicular to the tucks you need to make. In this example, I mark the lines 2” away from each other.

On the first line, pin each tuck to keep them lay flat in the direction you wish to sew.

On the second line, pin the tuck in the direction opposite that of the first line.

Repeat until you are done pinning the whole panel. The final step is to sew along the drawn lines.

I do wave tucks all the time with my first sewing machine and this technique works all the time. If you want to find a machine like mine, see here best entry level sewing machine for more information.

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