It’s always exciting to take a traditional technique and use it in unexpected ways. Making those tiny, delicate pin-tucks often associated with heirloom garments can be difficult, but author Jean Liittschwager shares a technique which will allow you to pin-tuck, with confidence, off the beaten track.

Two sewing-machine accessories will help you create successful pin-tucks. A double needle paired with a pin-tucking foot allows you to create “mock” pin tucks on a variety of unexpected fabrics in designs that move up, down, sideways, and around the fabric, radiating energy and pizzazz. These designs produce intriguing textures and color effects that enrich the fabric’s surface, and open up a world of embellishment possibilities.

Depart from the straight and narrow by creating “pin-tuck” curves, angles, and motifs on all types of fabric.

From Threads #78