Darts form an important part of garment construction. They are added to give shape to the bust, waist, back, and hip areas of garments.
There are a few ways to mark out darts on fabric. A dressmaker’s carbon tracing paper can be used to transfer darts onto fabric with a tracing wheel. When using this method, it is best to work on a hard surface, like a cutting mat.
Method 1
Fold the fabric right sides together. Place the waxed side of the carbon paper on the wrong sides of the fabric. Pin the pattern to the fabric over the carbon paper.
Run the tracing wheel firmly over the dart on the pattern.
Method 2
Cut one side of the dart on the pattern and fold it back to expose the fabric under the pattern.
Use fabric markers like a dressmaker’s pencil, tailor’s chalk, or tailor’s pencil to mark the dart onto the fabric.
How to sew the dart:
Fold the dart’s right sides together and pin.
Machine stitch the dart, starting at the widest part of the dart and sewing down to the end of the dart.
Backstitch at the end of the dart, or make a knot.
Place the dart over a tailor’s ham and press the dart to one side. Read more about the tailor’s ham in the post on Pressing Equipment.
