Sewing Darts

What you will learn

• Marking dart legs and point
• Stitching to a point
• Pressing a dart to one side

Materials and tools

• Threaded machine
• Scrap woven cotton, 8 x 8 in (20 x 20 cm)
• Chalk and ruler
• Pins
• Iron and board

Before you start

• On the wrong side, mark a dart: two lines 1 in (2.5 cm) apart at the edge, meeting at a point 4 in (10 cm) away. Mark the point with a dot.

1. Fold the fabric in half along the center of the dart with right sides together, so the two marked lines match. Pin along the lines.
2. Start at the wide end of the dart. Lower the needle on the marked line, just inside the edge. You will sew from here toward the point.

3. Backstitch 3 or 4 stitches at the wide end. This is the only place to backstitch on a dart.
4. Sew slowly along the line to the point. Sew the last 1/2 in (12 mm) right beside the fold, one or two threads in from it.
5. Sew off the fabric at the point without backstitching. Cut the threads leaving 4 in (10 cm).
6. Tie the thread ends in a double knot at the point and trim to 1/4 in (6 mm). This stops the dart from puckering.
7. Press the dart flat as sewn, then press it to one side, toward the center for vertical darts or downward for horizontal ones.
8. Check the right side. The point should be smooth with no dimple.

Tips for a neat result

• Sewing off the point gently lets the dart end flat.
• Press over a tailor's ham, a rolled towel or the end of the ironing board for a curved shape.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• The dart is straight, with an even taper.
• The point is smooth on the right side.

Projects that use this