Thank you for the helpful video. This is the first that I’m watching in how to add darts. I wish that once you pressed and then snipped the center of the dart, that you would have turned the dress regular side out again and showed the end result. I am visual and literal, so hard to imagine how it looks in the end (and if it’s worth the effort to drag my sewing machine out). Thanks!
This tutorial is very good! With my body shape, I have excess fabric at the back with most dresses. If I can learn to apply this darting technique, it will be a game changer! Thanks so much for sharing ❤️
Thanks for the instruction! I'm expanding into garment sewing and the muslin for my first dress was in need of a fix. It was left on its own for a few weeks until I found your video. Excited to cut into the actual fabric today!
You can sew regular darts down which are half the length of these fisheye darts, but I don't think you can sew down fisheye darts. I've never tried it and never had anyone ask, but my initial thought process is that sewing down a fisheye dart would create pulling? or weight and heaviness on lightweight fabric? Actually, I think I've seen it done on denim shirts in the back. I think you can only do it if the style of the garment has a lot of topstitching and the fabric is medium to heavy weight.
I’ve lost a lot of weight through an illness and have various garments to alter. The garments aren’t expensive so don’t warrant a professional adjustment. I was top of my class in sewing many years ago 😅 Enlisted a friend to help me as its hard seeing your own back 😅 The garments are nice linen fabric and just can’t replace the quality, SOoooo practice makes perfect:)
Question: Do you do any backstitches when you start your sewing from the middle of the dart? In other words, does your comment on no backstitching apply only to the end (pointy) of the dart, or both the end and the middle of the dart?
I didn't cut through the stitching at the end. I cut through the center of the dart and stopped before the stitching. This opens the dart so that it lies flat since you are changing the shape of the area. The fold side of the dart is shorter than the stitch side of the dart so it creates pulling on the dress. When you cut through the fold side of the dart it opens it so it can be the same length as the stitch side of the dart.
Great video! What was the name of the little ruler that you were using to measure and mark the dress? It looked like a specific dressmaker tool. Thanks!
I depends on your shape. The depth of the dart is how much needs to be taking in (divided by 2) and the height of the dart is the amount needed to make the dart disappear smoothly against your body.
Also, how do you sew a dart in a cotton dress with a lining? The lining is completely separate from the dress (just joined at the top of the bodice. I’m assuming I add darts to both the dress and the liner? Thanks!
I actually don't know as much about hand stitching but if it's a woven I would do a running backstitch (I think that's what it's called) and if it's a knit I would do some sort of zigzag or stretch stitch.
A friend did this on my denim dress but the point of the darts are pulling, so you see the thread and it looks like they might tear. What would you recommend? Thanks.
Without looking at it I'm going to guess it is one of three things: 1. The darts are too tight and need to be released slightly. 2. The darts have to sharp of an angle in the middle so they can be lengthened at each end. 3. Clip the middle of the dart almost to the stitches where it's taken in the most to release the pulling. (Since this one is irreversible I would do this as a last resort.) If you want you can email me or send a message to my facebook page with a picture then I can help a little more!
The darts on the green and navy striped dress are too deep causing dimples at tge points. I would take some if it out in the side seam or make 2 smaller darts on each side. I would also use a ham to press the contours.
Thank you for the helpful video. This is the first that I’m watching in how to add darts. I wish that once you pressed and then snipped the center of the dart, that you would have turned the dress regular side out again and showed the end result. I am visual and literal, so hard to imagine how it looks in the end (and if it’s worth the effort to drag my sewing machine out). Thanks!
Great suggestion!
This tutorial is very good! With my body shape, I have excess fabric at the back with most dresses. If I can learn to apply this darting technique, it will be a game changer!
Thanks so much for sharing ❤️
Oh I'm so glad! It's such a great fix!
Great video. I'm gonna go sew my darts now. Wish me luck! :)
You can do it!
I love that I'm seeing you draw and pin on two dresses. It helps
I'm so glad!
Thanks for the instruction! I'm expanding into garment sewing and the muslin for my first dress was in need of a fix. It was left on its own for a few weeks until I found your video. Excited to cut into the actual fabric today!
Glad it was helpful!
This was super helpful! I’m working off of a vintage pattern that has back darts but no instructions on how to do them. Thank you!
You are so welcome!
Thank you for this!! Does anyone ever sew down their dart folds instead of pressing them? As a new sewer this is a question I’ve been wondering about.
You can sew regular darts down which are half the length of these fisheye darts, but I don't think you can sew down fisheye darts. I've never tried it and never had anyone ask, but my initial thought process is that sewing down a fisheye dart would create pulling? or weight and heaviness on lightweight fabric? Actually, I think I've seen it done on denim shirts in the back. I think you can only do it if the style of the garment has a lot of topstitching and the fabric is medium to heavy weight.
@@HeatherHandmade that sounds right. Thank you!!!
Thank you very much. This is one of the best darts videos. Very helpful.
That was awesome 👏 but I was patiently waiting to see how how e dress looks wearing it at the end aww.
Next time!
Love this video. It shows exactly how to make the darts and is right to the point! Thank you so much!
You are so welcome!
I’ve lost a lot of weight through an illness and have various garments to alter. The garments aren’t expensive so don’t warrant a professional adjustment. I was top of my class in sewing many years ago 😅 Enlisted a friend to help me as its hard seeing your own back 😅 The garments are nice linen fabric and just can’t replace the quality, SOoooo practice makes perfect:)
You can do it!
Question: Do you do any backstitches when you start your sewing from the middle of the dart? In other words, does your comment on no backstitching apply only to the end (pointy) of the dart, or both the end and the middle of the dart?
I do backstitch right when I start in the middle
Wonderful, informative video. I am curious if the excess material created by the dart should be cut out. Thank you!
If your fabric is really think I would serge out the extra. If it's light or medium weight I would leave it in for strength.
Thank you. Just wondering why you cut through the stitching at the end - on the striped dress?
I didn't cut through the stitching at the end. I cut through the center of the dart and stopped before the stitching. This opens the dart so that it lies flat since you are changing the shape of the area. The fold side of the dart is shorter than the stitch side of the dart so it creates pulling on the dress. When you cut through the fold side of the dart it opens it so it can be the same length as the stitch side of the dart.
This worked like a charm!
Thank you so much heather!
You are so welcome!
Great video! What was the name of the little ruler that you were using to measure and mark the dress? It looked like a specific dressmaker tool. Thanks!
It's called a seam gauge. It's great for dressmaking!
Thank you for this video. Can darts be added to any type of dress material? For example, a cotton dress?
Yes you can!
Extremely helpful, thank you
You're welcome!
How do you get to the shape of those darts? What are the measurements ?
I depends on your shape. The depth of the dart is how much needs to be taking in (divided by 2) and the height of the dart is the amount needed to make the dart disappear smoothly against your body.
Love this Thank you you 💕
No problem 😊
Also, how do you sew a dart in a cotton dress with a lining? The lining is completely separate from the dress (just joined at the top of the bodice. I’m assuming I add darts to both the dress and the liner? Thanks!
Yes, you would sew the darts on borth the dress and lining so you would be doing 4 darts instead of 2.
Thank you! ‘Twas really helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Also check stripes are lined up
Great tip!
Another great video Heather. Thank you!
awe thank you!
How do you know where to start and end the darts?
This depends a lot of the person wearing it, but it's a couple of inches below the shoulder blades and at the widest part of your hips/backside.
What stitch would you recommend if you don't have a sewing machine? Thank you
I actually don't know as much about hand stitching but if it's a woven I would do a running backstitch (I think that's what it's called) and if it's a knit I would do some sort of zigzag or stretch stitch.
@@HeatherHandmade thank you :)
A friend did this on my denim dress but the point of the darts are pulling, so you see the thread and it looks like they might tear. What would you recommend? Thanks.
Without looking at it I'm going to guess it is one of three things:
1. The darts are too tight and need to be released slightly.
2. The darts have to sharp of an angle in the middle so they can be lengthened at each end.
3. Clip the middle of the dart almost to the stitches where it's taken in the most to release the pulling. (Since this one is irreversible I would do this as a last resort.)
If you want you can email me or send a message to my facebook page with a picture then I can help a little more!
@@HeatherHandmade Thanks so much for the suggestions! I think I'll send you a picture :)
The darts on the green and navy striped dress are too deep causing dimples at tge points. I would take some if it out in the side seam or make 2 smaller darts on each side. I would also use a ham to press the contours.
Maybe ask a friend round to help Mark the back of you
Great idea!