LESSON IV THE TUCKED SKIRT
In Lesson IV only the bottom of the tucked skirt (Fig. K) is illustrated, but for practice and much practice is required on each lesson draw a complete skirt form with a graceful ellipse at the top, not showing too much of the back of the ellipse, then place as many XX's as you think will look well. In the figure we have two on the near side and one on the far side (the skirt being a three-quarter view). After getting a good bottom line, place the tucks on the skirt according to directions.
We learned in Lesson II that the hem followed the bottom line of the dress, not of the form; therefore tucks, bands, braiding, or any trimming which goes around the bottom of a skirt, must also follow this line.
Place all the X's and O's carefully before attempting to put the tucks on; because when the bottom line is poor, and if the tucks follow this poor line, the whole skirt will have a peculiar appearance.
Begin at the front, and after deciding how high the first tuck is to be, draw it around as you would a hem, being sure to follow the bottom line. If you do this carefully with the first tuck, there will be no difficulty in drawing the remaining ones.
A tuck must be the same width in all places and appear to go in and out of the fullness and go around the edges of the skirt at the same height, not down or up in the back.
If all the tucks are of equal width, like the ones on the lesson plate, draw so, but if different widths are required, gauge accordingly.
The tucks are sewed at the top and ex-
tend a little past the side of the skirt at the bottom. Occasionally this will happen at XX, but not often. Note the X's and O's on the first tuck.
The top of each tuck may be indicated by a broken line for stitching, it being well to draw the continuous line at first.
Bias bands are stitched on both edges. They cling to the dress.
THE CIRCULAR OVER-SKIRT