How to sew darts

Darts are wedge shaped sections of fabric

These are folded out and stitched together to remove excess fabric and create a three dimensional shape. 

They can also be used to create a more personalised fit to a garment by altering and adapting them within the pattern itself.

Think of the way we pleat out a section of flat paper to make a cone. The centre of the ‘cone’ is usually the apex of the curve the fabric needs to be shaped over. So this could be the bust point on a bodice, over the buttocks or even across the shoulder blades.

Although the pivot point of a dart may be the apex of a curve the dart point will always be away from this to allow for a flatter area at the apex to create a softer, more dome-like shape.

Darts can be moved around the pivot point to create different effects or features.

There are two main types of darts: A Basic Dart that starts. on the edge of a piece of fabric and a Fishtail or double pointed dart that runs through the middle of a garment to add extra shape. Both are covered in the next Lessons.