The center of each pleat
For the stitching lines of each tuck into the fabric, following tl wide pleats, fold the fabric so stitching lines come together. Stitch each tuck in turn, t foot of the machine or t markings as a guide when stitching. There is no need to the threads as they will be hems. Trim the fabric to tl ensuring the tucks are position medium length and width zigzag stitch and fit the cording foot on the machine. (This has a hole to guide the cording thread under the needle.) Mark the position of the cording with chalk or a line of tacking threads on the right side of the fabric. Thread the end of the cord into the foot and position the edge of the work under the foot of the machine. Stitch along the marked line, feeding the cord under the foot, so that the zigzag stitch holds the cord in place. Two parallel lines of cording, 6 mm (i in) apart, are a simple, effective touch.
TUCKING Decide on a suitable width and spacing for the rucks: they may be stitched close to the folded edge of the fabric for a very narrow ruck (pin rucks), or up to about 15 mm from the fold for a wider tuck. Calculate the total number of tucks and allow twice the width of each tuck when working out how much fabric you will need. Add an extra allowance so that you can trim the panel accurately when making up the item. Mark out the rucks across the top and lower edge of the area to be stitched. With large areas, such as a duvet cover, mark across the center of the fabric as well. For pin rucks, mark the center of each pleat.
For wider rucks, mark the stitching lines of each tuck. Press the pleats into the fabric, following the marks. With wide pleats, fold the fabric so that the marked stitching lines come together. Stitch each tuck in turn, using the presser foot of the machine or the throat plate markings as a guide when positioning the stitching. There is no need to finish the ends of the threads as they will be enclosed in seams or hems. Trim the fabric to the required size, ensuring the rucks are positioned centrally.
A DUVET COVER 1 Measure the duvet to be covered and cut out two panels of fabric, allowing 5cm for seams and ease all round. Decorate the top panel of fabric before trimming to size. If you have to join widths of a patterned fabric for the top panel, position a full width down the center of the cover and strips of equal size down either side. Join widths with a flat fell seam, slip-tacking first if there is a difficult pattern match. Join the two panels of fabric using a French seam.
Across the lower edge of the cover, end the seams 20cm in from each corner to make an opening for inserting the duvet. Press the folds of the seam allowance across the opening to provide the hem. 2 Turn the cover inside out again. Across the opening, position the popper tape (or whatever fastening you wish to use to contain the duvet – Velcro strips, press studs, buttons etc. and cover or hem the raw edges. Ensure that the opposite halves of the opening match and secure the fastening in place. Turn right side out and press.