Welcome to Episode 4 in the How to Sew A Skirt Sew-along series. The subject for today is: How to mark darts
A quick recap of what we have completed so far in case you have missed a step and need to review :
- Overview, tools and equipment and choosing your fabric
- Drafting your custom fit pattern, and all about ease and seam allowances
- Cutting your fabric and pattern matching
How to mark darts on your fabric accurately
Many of the traditional sewing tutorials will tell you that you need to ‘thread trace' pattern markings onto your fabric. To do this, you sew directly through the pattern into the fabric to transfer the markings and then pull the pattern away leaving the marking stitches in place. Nah – sounds like too much hard work, I'm not a fan of hand-stitching.
I've got a much better, quicker, more accurate and easier way to show you that involves no sewing at all.
- Cut all the way down one side of the dart leg and a little way past the point of the dart.
- Fold back the dart along the other leg carefully and crease. Be careful to do this accurately, right to the point.
- Fold the dart back the other way, and out of sight, creasing sharply.
- Place the pattern piece accurately on the fabric with the wrong side facing up.
- Mark the legs and point of the darts using your favorite fabric marker. You can use Clover Water Soluble Pencils , or one of the popular disappearing ink pens from Collins or from Singer.
- Remove the pattern piece and check the lines are clear.
- Snip a little into the ends of the darts. This will help you to line them up later.
- Replace the pattern piece back on the fabric and mark any other darts. Tape the dart back into place when done so you can use the pattern piece again.
See – easy and accurate! Tracing out your darts neatly and accurately will make sure you get a good finish in our next step – sewing the darts.
Our next steps
Join me soon for the next step in our Sew A Skirt series –Sewing darts perfectly.
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Authored by: Deby at So Sew Easy
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Thanks for this method! I like it because it saves time and is very simple.
This is absolutely BRILLIANT!!! I’ve seen for years and have never thought of this. BRILLIANT I say!! Thank you!!
Thank you so much! I have always hated marking darts. I wish my 7th grade sewing teacher had taught us this method. Now I don’t have to avoid patterns with darts. 🙂
I have bought 3 online Crafsty lessons. I have spent over 60 pounds. Your tutorials are free and much more easy to follow.
That’s very kind of you to say. I only wish I had the technical team, the lights and cameras and the nice set from Craftsy and I’d be making more videos. Its hard when you are the script girl, camera man, editing, presenter etc all at once.!
Deby,
I am so pleased that you have been putting this series up on our Tip Tuesday Link ups. I know that these will be helpful to me and so many others.
With Love,
Scary
Hi Deby! Thanks so much for linking up to Thriving on Thursdays last week. A great tutorial. Just letting you know your post will be featured at tomorrow’s party.
Anne xx
Thats great news Anne, thank you so much for the feature. It means a lot to be able to link up to your party to help grow my blog.
What a great way to do darts! I follow you on Bloglovin.
The next time I sew something with darts, I’ll be sure to remember this post 🙂 I’m so glad there are people like you that can help others out with neat tips and tricks…especially in sewing. Thanks Deby 🙂
Glad to be of help Ashley. It was a light-bulb moment for me when I learned this.
I am a beginner … will be checking out more of your blog. I pinned this too.
Welcome Angela and thanks for pinning and joining in. There will be lots to learn in the Sew A Skirt series and at the end you can have a skirt you can be really proud of.