Materials:

• Fabric to be tucked (larger than finished size)
• Water Soluble Marker (unless you're "press marking" with an iron)
• Thread to match fabric
• Optional: thread to contrast with fabric or decorative thread
• Helpful but not required: Edge Stitching Foot

Procedure:

1. Mark the fabric to be tucked with a water soluble pen, or by pressing parallel lines, about 1" apart.
2. If you have an edge stitching foot, it's handy here. Fold the fabric on the line and stitch with thread that matches the fabric. Your stitching should be about 1/8" from the fold.
3. Stitch all the tucks from the same end of the fabric.
4. After you've stitched the tucks, press them all, first to one side, and then to the other.
5. In the center, mark a line with the water soluble marker that will cross the tucks at a 90 degree angle. Stitching across the tucks can be with matching or contrasting thread, using a straight or decorative stitch. If you want mostly texture, as in the sample above, use matching thread and a straight stitch.
6. Stitch on this line, letting the presser foot push the folds toward you as you sew. When you reach the end of the tucks, turn around and start back, using the edge of the presser foot as a guide for placement of the next row.
7. Stitch back and forth, finishing the half on one side of the center, then going back and finishing the other half.
8. Cut your pattern piece out after your fabric is all tucked.

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