How to Dart a Shirt

The Best Way to Add a Dart

I would like to update several shirts using darts. Is there a tool to help with measurement and marking?

Thanks

Millie

Simplicity Patterns has the best dart instructions I have seen. Go to Simplicity Sewing Tips - Darts to learn how.

I have just a few tips to add.

Since you’re altering clothes rather than working from a pattern, put one of the shirts on inside out. Pin all of the darts to fit.

Take off the shirt and adjust the pinning to make the right and left darts exactly alike. Then follow the Simplicity directions.

If all the shirts are the same size, you can make a little template and save lots of time.

Here are more Sewing Articles.

Thank you for your prompt reply! However, I cannot pin the darts on myself.

How can I measure and pin them to get an approximate fit before trying them on.

Thanks

Millie

If you don’t have someone to help you pin, put a shirt on and pull it as tight as you would like the new fit. Measure how much you want to take the shirt in. For example, if you measure 3 inches of excess doubled fabric, you will want darts totaling 6 inches.

Depending on the type of fit you want, divide the 6 inches for the front and back darts. Usually back darts are narrower for women. So let’s say, you want 2 inches of darted fabric in the back and 4 in the front.

Then follow the Simplicity directions.