A tucking attachment (30) for a sewing machine having a tucking blade (34) with one end positioned adjacent material and a tucking blade drive with an output shaft mechanically coupled to the tucking blade. A control (122), connected to the tucking blade drive (44), is operable to command the tucking blade drive (44) to move the tucking blade (34) through a programmable displacement to form a tuck in the material adjacent a presser foot of the sewing machine. Thereafter, the sewing machine is operated to sew a number of stitches in the tuck, and the tucking blade is then retracted. Repeating the above cycle of operation permits successive tucks of different lengths to be formed in the material.