Video:Sewing Darts

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Transcript:Sewing Darts

Hi, I am Debbie Colgrove for About.com. Today I am going to show you how to sew a dart.

Pin the Dart Pattern

Transfer the pattern markings onto your fabric, including the dots. The dots are very important on a dart. Take the pin through where the dot would be, through to the other dot and fold them so they land and line up.

You want to make sure at all times that you are pinning that the pins go through the line here and comes out on the line there. As you are sewing you are going to be removing these pins. Always have a pin at the end dot, or that is the end of the dart.

Sew the Dart

Once you come to the sewing machine start with a normal stitch length. You of course would use thread that matches. I want you to see it though so I am going to be using white. Sink the needle in the top of the dart that is the widest part that will be in seam allowance. There it is safe to back stitch, that will lock the dart and prevent the stitching from coming out. As you get to the pins remove them.

Now, in this example, this red dot on my presser foot is lining up with the lines for the dart. I am not actually watching the needle; I am watching that red dot, removing the pins as I come to them. The last half inch or so of the dart I am going to make a shorter stitch length. This helps the end of the dart stay in place, and as I get to the very end I am going to go right off the edge of the fabric by one or two stitches.

Finish the Dart

Lift the presser foot, leave yourself thread, pull it out, use those tails of thread to knot it off with one or two knots. Two knots being the safest. Trim away the threads of the knots, trim your threads from where you started, and you have a perfectly sewn dart right to the end. As with anything you have sewn first press it as it was sewn. Most darts like this the shoulder would end up coming towards the neckline of the garment. Use the point of your iron to keep a crisp point at the end of the dart. Press it from both sides and you have a beautiful dart that blends in with the garment but adds shaping.

Thanks for watching. To learn more visit us on the Web at About.com.