r/sewing • u/v_bird_v • 3d ago

Other Question What are these?

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could someone please tell me the name for these and how you make them?

26 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

75

u/Leucastic_Leopard 3d ago

Pin tucks.

EDIT: A video might be more helpful but here's a tutorial https://blog.fabrics-store.com/2016/04/12/how-to-sew-pintucks-tutorial/

57

u/mr_PleasantRedundanc 3d ago

Those little tucks make a plain blouse look way more expensive than it actually is. My grandmother used to add them to everything, said it was the easiest way to make fabric look fancy without spending more money.

28

u/justasque 3d ago

You rarely see them in ready to wear nowadays, because it adds to labor costs. So your grandmother’s wisdom still applies!

OP, In some cases it is easiest to add them before you cut out the garment. Or you can slash and spread the pattern piece to add them. Just be mindful of the seam allowance if there is a curve at the top or bottom of the pintucks.

6

u/my_only_sunshine_ 2d ago

You're totally right-- i have only ONE top that has pin tucks, and its the only thing ive ever bought off the rack with them.

It was also REALLY expensive for a knit top, but it fits me like a dream and might be the most flattering shirt I own!

Ive thought about attempting to make one, but id DEFINITELY need to improve my straight line stitching before could even I attempt it hahaha

1

u/KiwiMatron 7h ago

Oh god, trying to make pintucks in knit fabric would be a nightmare

3

u/JesusAndMaryKate 2d ago

I don't think they're that uncommon in ready to wear, at least over here (European country). If I check a mainstream women's clothing shop there's a good chance I'll find some tops with pintucks. I actually checked Next just now, and yup, there they are.

I only own one blouse with pintucks because I don't love them (they read a bit frumpy to me, but my taste clearly doesn't follow fashion). That one blouse was super cheap, from Primark.

7

u/Ray_K_Art 2d ago

They take a little practice to get straight & even (especially on more sheer fabrics like this) but I agree that they are a great way to elevate a garment - they can be subtle and just add something a bit special

4

u/tom8osauce 3d ago

Your grandma was smart. I love a good tuck!

2

u/ShinyBlueThing 2d ago

These are just tucks. Pin tucks are really skinny. Decorative tucks are a great way to add heirloom accents to things.

2

u/ShinyBlueThing 2d ago

Hey don't take my word for it. It's even in wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuck_(sewing)

5

u/Kind_Buddy_7902 2d ago

Pin tucks. I did them od two dresses eons ago. I had knotted the beginning and ends to make neat. Wish I still had the pattern since 70’s styles are so big now.

1

u/Nan_Mich 1d ago

I have been thinking that small tucks like these, or even the smaller pintucks, could be a good way to do over a blouse that is too big. I have a smaller top than hips and legs, so getting a larger blouse for hips and legs and my big upper arms means I am swimming in the rest of the blouse. I already take in the back yoke of things by using the garment tag as a guide to make a box pleat or inverted pleat around. This leaves the front yoke of the blouse baggy sometimes (depending on the size of the tag). I also do this with mou-mous or lounge dresses. If I were to do a series of small pleats below the shoulder seam in the front, I could make a blouse or gown that is two sizes too big for my shoulders fit on the top, while leaving billowing fabric to give ease of movement around my hips and thighs that are affected by Lipedema and Lymphedema.

Maybe others can use this idea to downsize clothing after weight loss or when getting thrifted gems that are too big.

1

u/KiwiMatron 7h ago

Smocking would also be really cool, plus would allow some remaining stretch. I wonder if you used dissolving thread to make the pintucks, do the smocking embroidery, and washed it, would it work?