Darts are folds in the fabric that are folded and sewn to provide shape and dimension. There are many types of darts such as concave or curved darts, however straight darts is the one most commonly found in home sewing. Straight darts have only one point with dart legs leading to the edge of the pattern.
How we Use Darts
Straight darts are used on the face and head pieces. Use the guidance on the pattern to create a dart on each head piece and two darts on the face piece.
Making Darts on Our Build-A-Bryan Patterns
- Take a head piece and fold it along the gray dart line so that the pattern side is on the outside.
- Starting on the far outer edge outside the sew line on the pattern pieces, sew a straight stitch along the green line. Ensure when starting you put the needle through the green line on both sides of the fold. Use the first piercing of the fabric to help find the center of the dart and fold it appropriately. Knot and cut off the thread at the end of the green line after stitching. If the green line ends on one side before the other, it could mean the fold is just a little off. Keep sewing using the other green line as a guide to stop as this helps ensure the darts the same length. You can insert the needle diagonally if you helps you catch both green lines.
- Repeat this technique to install a dart on each of head pieces and two darts on the face piece.