Get to the Point!

1. Get to the Point! Using Darts to Control Fullness in Apparel

2. Darts • Darts are triangular folds of fabric used to control fullness and give shape to fitted clothes. • Darts are either single or double pointed.

3. Marking Darts • Darts should be marked on the wrong side of the fabric. • Mark the end of a dart with a short, horizontal line • Mark dots with an “x”

4. Use a ruler to keep lines straight • Guide a tracing wheel over each line only once

5. C. Sewing Darts • There are 4 basic steps: • Fold dart, right sides together and match stitching lines exactly

6. Stitch from the wide end of the dart (backstitch)

7. Stitch to the point. The last 2 or 3 stitches should be as close to the fold as possible. Don’t backstitch. • Remove from the machine & tie thread ends.

8. For double pointed darts: • Fold and match as for a single pointed dart • Start at the center and stitch to each point • Because a double pointed dart is like an inside curve, it must be clipped, then slashed open.

9. D. Pressing Darts • Remove marking lines before you press! • To properly press a dart, use a pressing ham. • Vertical darts should be pressed with the fold toward the center.

10. Horizontal darts should be pressed with the fold toward the waistline.

11. Quick Review • What is a dart? • Why is a dart used? • Once stitching is complete, what do you do at the pointed end of a dart? • What must be done to a double pointed dart before it is pressed?

12. Why are tracing or marking lines removed before pressing? • Darts should be pressed over a… • Vertical darts should be pressed toward… • Horizontal darts should be pressed toward...