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Newsletter>
Using Your Tucker
June 29, 2008
This is truly a wonderful attachment. You can create the smallest daintiest tucks or go larger. Create tucks in groups.
Tucker
The Tucker was not normally part of the basic attachment set sold with most sewing machines and was sold separately as an accessory. You may find you have either the Singer or the Greist Tucker included with your sewing machine. The Tucker attachment will allow you to create tucks, which are spaced evenly apart. You will control the size of the tuck and the distance each tuck is from the other using several thumbscrews located on the Tucker.
John Greist’s first Tuck Marker patent was in 1885 for the Singer Manufacturing Company. Greist continued to improve the Tuck Marker until his last known patent of 1892, at which time he had formed the Greist Manufacturing Company and making sewing attachments for a wide variety of sewing machine companies.
The working parts of the Tucker and their uses will be the first thing you should learn before using this attachment. Your Tucker may look a little different from the one shown; however, the basic parts work the same. It can also look very intimidating; however, take it one step at a time until you feel comfortable. All those dainty tucks on the front of a child’s blouses will be well worth the effort!
Tuck Guide – is adjustable and may be set for any desired width of tuck.
Tuck Scale – contains figures which indicate different widths of tucks. The tuck scale also acts as a smoother blade, keeping the tucks a uniform width.
Tuck Guide Adjusting Screw – the means the tuck guide may be set at any point on the tuck scale.
Space Scale – containing figure on the upper blade which indicate the width of the space between each tuck. The middle or ‘grooved blade’ contains a groove where the material is pressed by the spur at the end of the lower or ‘spur blade’, thereby marking the material for the folding of the next tuck.
Space Scale Adjusting Screw – where the space scale may be set at any desired point.
Marking Lever – presses on the groove blade, marking the material as it passes between the grooved and spur blades.
To Attach the Tucker to the Machine
Raise the needle bar to the highest point, remove the presser foot from the machine and attach the Tucker in place. Care should be taken to see the Tucker is securely fastened to the presser bar and that the needle goes through the center of the needle hole. Note the position of the marking lever, you want to make sure that it is in the lower position and that the needle clamp works on it as the machine sews.
The figures on the tuck scale indicate the width of tuck in eighths of an inch; the marks between the figures are sixteenths. The marks on the space scale are double the width of those on the tuck scale (whew!), so that both scales are set at the same figure, blind tucks without spaces between them are made.
To make the space between the tucks, first you must set the tuck scale, and then move the space scale to the same number and as much farther to the left as you wish to have your space. Try doing this one step at a time while reading the instructions – it helps.
Each number on the space scale represents one-quarter of an inch and each mark between numbers are 1/8th of an inch.
You might want to practice each possibility in the following table. Through practice and visually seeing the results, it becomes clearer and easier to use.
Table to Assist You
Tuck Guide Space Scale
1/8” tucks with no space 1 1
1/8” tucks with 1/8” space 1 1 ½
1/4” tucks with no space 2 2
¼” tucks with ¼” space 2 3
½” tucks with no space 4 4
½” tucks with ½” space 4 6
1” tucks with no space 8 8
Note: If your Tucker does not make any marks simply press (more like a faint bend) where the Spur Blade is. At times it “gets bent out of shape”.
Happy Stitching!
Charlene
THE SEW BOX
www.thesewbox.com
Charlene@thesewbox.com
Copyright 2008 - 2012 www.thesewbox.com
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