How To: Dart Manipulation (Pattern Cutting)

Learn how to manipulate darts in a pattern to change the position of darts or create dart equivalents. Manipulating darts allows you to change the style and design lines of patterns, without amending the fit. In this tutorial we will discuss how to move darts to a new area on a pattern.
LINKED TUTORIALS
How To: Copen Shift Dress / Top (Beginners Dressmaking): • How To: Copen Shift Dr...
What Is? a Dart (sewing): • What Is? A Dart (Sewing)
What Is? Dart Manipulation: • What Is? Dart Manipula...
How To: Find a Bust Apex on Pattern (without a Bust Apex): • How To: Find a Bust Ap...
How To: True a Dart: • How To: True | Truing ...
How To: Draft a Cut-Away Dart (Reduce Dart Bulk): • How To: Draft a Cut-Aw...
How To: Pattern Cutting 1 Dart to 2 Darts: Coming Soon!
Fitting Techniques: Fix Armhole & Neckline Gaping: Coming Soon!
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[@carolscholfield234]

I love that you always say both the imperial and metric sides together. It helps cement the correlation between both as they’re often both used x

[@MadetoSew]

Sorry if you were waiting for this tutorial all day! I am been trying to work out the best times to launch the videos. If you have a preference on the day or time I launch my tutorials let me know. Aneka x

[@ulfatkhanmomanda7960]

Hello mam I need ur help if it possible

[@MadetoSew]

@@ulfatkhanmomanda7960 What is your problem?

[@cottagegardener3725]

Wow, I feel so fortunate to come across these videos. Pattern manipulation is without a doubt at times daunting but these videos definitely help.

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you very much and glad I could help. xx

[@Bt234]

Love your tutorials. So clear and precise. Thanks for explaining even the minute details.

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you so much for your lovely words. They are really appreciated. Thank you. Aneka x

[@ummuaida1856]

That was so good! Every tutorial you made will definitely benefit us. Thank you Aneka.

[@MadetoSew]

Ummu Aida oh I am so pleased you liked it. Thank you so much. Aneka xx

[@wendaworkman8065]

Thank you so much for your great tutorials. I used so sew alot and am getting back to it now, after years away. I feel that your tutorials will help me get to a whole new level!

[@MadetoSew]

So pleased Wenda.

[@alexandriaborn8285]

Many thanks for a tutorial that gave me information in almost no time at all. Inforamation that I have been looking for everywhere for hours.Your tutorial was where my search ended

[@MadetoSew]

So pleased I could help Alexandria.

[@yellowgerbie]

Thank you Aneka, your videos are so so so wonderful! Always so clear, easy to understand, so informative!

[@MadetoSew]

Thanks Shirley.

[@DevonThreadTales]

I am so glad that I've discovered your channel. Your tutorials are absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge. I'm hoping that these tutorials will take my sewing and fitting skills to the next level. Excellent ❤️👌🏼 xx

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you so much!

[@tricialye3424]

I am a very slow learner but this tutorial is so clear I can follow. Thank you!

[@janewilkie5421]

This has been such an interesting and useful tutorial. You have explained everything really clearly and certainly increased my knowledge of pattern cutting. As always your tutorials are so worthwhile. Thank you Aneka

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Jane, so pleased you have enjoyed the tutorials. Thank you so much. Aneka x

[@laurajones4088]

Thank you, Aneka. Your tutorials are always clear, concise, and very helpful. Looking forward to future tutorials and learning new techniques that will assist in correcting fit issues.

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you Laura, really pleased you liked it. The fitting tutorials will be up soon in relation to this. Aneka x

[@lengtan5368]

@@MadetoSew I totally agree Laura. I'm enrolled in a dressmaking school and my teachers made it seem so complicated. Now I see it is not that complicated. thank you very much Aneka!

[@idealcentre5913]

Good Evening Madam I'm asking about how can we we move dart from shoulder slop From neck to shoulder slop line Than make a down

[@PsychicKathleen]

Thank you! This was so clear! I look forward to your future videos :)

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you Kathleen. Aneka x

[@angiehomeschoolmom3269]

I wish I could LOVE this on my desktop! Brilliant! So helpful!

[@Bunnymommyx4]

I find your videos immensely helpful. Thank you.

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you.

[@Lin-995]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you.

[@adeleyemojisola5407]

Nice one. Thanks

[@anthoniaoredipe9864]

Thanks. Your tutorial was very explicit

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you very much.

[@dnizabhad]

these tutorials are truly wonderful :)

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you. Aneka

[@maryjarvis2687]

This is an excellent tutorial. It would also be of interest to see some of the examples of dart manipulation you describe made up in fabric as a further illustration. Thank you again.

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Mary, thank you so much for your lovely words. Sorry that I didn't show fabric examples, it's partly because I didn't want people to think they had to send the darts to a certain location. The idea is to teach that you can send them to any location you want to change the design of the garment. Even the examples I gave here are just examples, there are many other possibilities. I plan to change the design of Copen and use dart manipulation in some way (like I did with the Red V-Neck dress) and then I can do another class on it with examples. Thank you, Aneka x

[@yungaterror]

Your tutorials are great please.domt stop teaching us

[@MadetoSew]

So kind, thank you. Aneka x

[@mamy707]

Thank you for your video,very helpful

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you.

[@carol_igbokwe713]

Wow! Thank you for this tutorial it is very helpful

[@MadetoSew]

Thanks Carol. Aneka x

[@LynetteAlexis]

Great tutorial, thank you!

[@MadetoSew]

💖 glad it helped.

[@journalregular8194]

Brilliant tutorial, thank you!

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you.

[@rebeccacasella]

Thank you so much! Darts have always been my white whale. I now understand how to manipulate them. My sewing is going to be so much more exciting.

[@MadetoSew]

So pleased I could help Rebecca, thank you. Aneka

[@ktho5556]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@MadetoSew]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Pinkbatrobi]

Thanks for explaining WHY the dart point does not correspond with apex and needs to be moved... I had to watch about ten videos about darts and none of the others explained this random movement... so thank you!

[@MadetoSew]

It is so important for me to explain the why; otherwise you can't use the skills I teach you again. So glad I could help. Aneka x

[@Bt234]

Thanks ! I appreciate it

[@MadetoSew]

Babychen thomas really pleased! Thank you. Aneka

[@stylebylara98]

Very educative, a new sub

[@MadetoSew]

Great, thank you.

[@squinternet1]

amazing as usual

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you.

[@stelselv]

Super tutorial.... Thanks so much Aneka....

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you Stella, really pleased you enjoyed it. Aneka x

[@T-marie-N]

Thank you, Aneka. I appreciate your detailed instructions. I have a vest pattern that doesn't have darts--I'm going to see if I can add them since I do have a bust :-). I'll take your advice and make a test run to see if what I have in mind works.

[@MadetoSew]

Great news. Let me know how you get on. Aneka x

[@sithatshisiwencube823]

Perfect thumbs up

[@MadetoSew]

Big thanks

[@emmaleeann76]

Thank you so much for another wonderful tutorial! I would love to see one about splitting the dart, since after a FBA my bust darts are rather...massive.

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Emma, yes of course, I will arrange this. Aneka :-))

[@caitlinsmith5075]

I love your tutorials! Would you be able to do a "what is" on block and sloper? I haven't heard those terms before, and your explanations always make a lot of sense. Also would really love to learn about pleats and different types of pleats :)

[@MadetoSew]

Of course I can. Thank you so much. And what a great suggestion, I will film one in the coming weeks, as it will go with the other films I have planned. Aneka x

[@srivatsaa.r.9936]

Charming lady instructor/miss just now i watched yr versatile video on HOW TO: DART MANUPILATION. Yr narration/demonstration is 1st class and very very clear to make a new comer also understand without a doubt. In all yr other videos also including the present one the video/camera is well focussed (clear visibility of lines/drawings) and clearly audible voice instruction of high quality. This is another feather in yr cap. I am very sure that in the near future thousands and lakhs of fashion design students cling to yr videos to acquire practicle knowledge. Thanking you vatsa Bangalore India

[@MadetoSew]

What another lovey comment Vatsa, you are so kind. I am just so pleased that I could help you. Huge thank you. Aneka

[@priscarogi2183]

you re just the best

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you! 👍

[@semoneg2826]

What a good teacher best video and explanation so far

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you very much Semone.

[@semoneg2826]

@@MadetoSew Welcome... Not everyone can take their time to teach and explain...

[@MadetoSew]

@@semoneg2826 that is very kind of you to say.

[@nomsamanos3329]

Thank you 😊😊

[@MadetoSew]

Pleasure.

[@favournwankwo8863]

Thank u

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you.

[@maryjarvis2687]

Got it now! M.

[@MadetoSew]

Great news, so pleased you liked it Mary. Once again sorry that I didn't have samples for you. Aneka x

[@elaine58100]

Thank you, Aneka. You tutorials are are just brilliant. A****************************************************************** :)

[@MadetoSew]

You're welcome 😊

[@SewwithBlessie]

Hi! How about for the shoulder dart in back bodice? Does this applies too? Thanks!! By the way, great tutorial!!

[@kaushalyawickramasinghe105]

Very useful tutorial l have learned a lot. Can you do a tutorial regarding on this with a dress pattern

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you very much. The process on a dress pattern is the same, you can move the darts around in the same manner. However you may not wish to add the extra dart into certain areas. If that is the case, cut the pattern at the waist (or somewhere similar), do your dart manipulation and stick them back together. Hope this helps? Aneka

[@wendyb7993]

The pivot tutorial would be fabulous please. 😃

[@MadetoSew]

Of course, I will add it to the filming schedule. Aneka x

[@CathyJohnson313]

Hi, great video as always. Sorry if this is a stupid question, but how do you know if and where to move the dart to? Thanks Catherine

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Catherine, it's not a stupid question at all. Moving the dart is up to you, where you want to move it? Based on the dart position you like the style of? In terms of the design of a garment, or the fit on your body? Does one dart position look better on your figure? You could always try it out and make some sample garments to see what you like / don't like? Good luck! Aneka x

[@annachiesa1940]

Hi Aneka, I am loving the blouse that you are wearing! would you be so nice to let me know where i can buy the pattern please?

[@MadetoSew]

It is this top: madetosew.com/patterns/separates/ it will launch by the end of the month.

[@ulfatkhanmomanda7960]

Plz tell me about mid thigh dress with a variation of gathered yoke pattern quickly I want to know about this

[@MadetoSew]

Of course you move the darts into gathers, so that should help you design the gathers in your garment.

[@GonzaloWorl97]

It helped a lot, very useful video! But I am wondering, doesn't the replacement of a dart affects the grain of the fabric of the resulting bodice?

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Gonzalo, yes it is affecting the grain on the fabric slightly. This isn't usually a big issue but it is good that you are aware of it and what is happening to the pattern as you manipulate it. Aneka

[@muffintop6874]

I'm working on a McCall 4026 pattern which has a bust dart located underneath the apex, I need to do a full bust adjustment, should I move the dart to the side then do a fba or leave the dart, and do a fba.?

[@MadetoSew]

Hello, I tried to look up the pattern but there were lots of options for 4026. You can do the FBA and it will create you a side dart, then you could use this tutorial to move the side dart into the waist dart?

[@Bt234]

Can you please show a tutorial how to draft the Copen pattern. I know it is available for free download but I would like to learn how to draft it by myself . Or do you have a tutorial for a simple bodice with side and waist dart ?

[@MadetoSew]

Hi there! I don't have a bodice block drafting tutorial at the moment, but this is something I am working on. So stay tuned! Aneka x

[@banchiebabu9926]

I like All the way that given a direction

[@jayneneequaye7335]

Thanks Aneka. Please must darts be employed on all fabric types? Ideally when are darts incorporated and on what type of fabric?

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Jayne, darts do NOT need to exist. They usually don't exist in looser woven garments. However for ladies with large busts the garment can look better if a dart is incorporated, shaping the fabric to their fuller curves. Stretch fabrics such as jersey don't usually have darts. Again it does depend on the style of the fabric and the fabric you are using and the person you are making it for. Sorry, lots of variables. Aneka :-)

[@elaine58100]

I'm kind of dipping my toe into dart manipulation and your video has really helped. I have seen a blouse with 3 darts on one of the shoulders that fastens with loops and buttons. Moving the dart to the shoulder would I then have to divide the dart into 3? But I am wondering if there is enough fabric to make the three pleats. Any tips that would point me in a right direction would be grateful :)

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Elaine, yes, you could cut into the shoulder 3 times and then manipulate the dart into the shoulder, dividing it evenly between the 3. It does depend on what size the dart is on your pattern (to start with), what size the pleats would be at the shoulder. But it will work. Aneka

[@yoditgedibe4255]

hi thank you for your tips and trikes. my question is what about the back bodice for french dart?do leave it as it is?

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Yodit, yes you can leave the back bodice as it is for a French dart. You don't need to have any darts in the back bodice.

[@yoditgedibe4255]

Thank you 🙏🏾

[@celinem8456]

If I need to make other adjustments such as shoulder and SBA, do I make those first, then move the bust dart?

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Celine, the general rule is to do length adjustments first, then curve adjustments like a SBA, then finalise the width of the garment. However it might depend on how much your dart needs to move by? The SBA will move the apex slightly. It usually raises it. So depending on the amount you need to move it, it can be worth doing the SBA first, as it might put the dart closer to where you want it?! Just something to consider. Aneka

[@celinem8456]

@@MadetoSew thank you so much! Very helpful.

[@idealcentre5913]

How can move side dat from shoulder down

[@user-gl2xw5wm8r]

Bonsoir sister .... Stp combien on descend pour mettre la pince et est ce que cette pince est au niveau de la taille ? Thank you

[@MadetoSew]

Hello! I am trying to understand your question. Can you re-phrase? You ask? How much do you go down to place the dart? And is it this dart that is level to the waist/size? My French is not good when it comes to 'sewing terminology'! The red dart was already on the Copen pattern. You can choose where you place the NEW dart. The size of the NEW dart cannot be changed, the size will depend where you position the new dart on the pattern. Does this help? Aneka x

[@JS-vd9dt]

Is it okay that the darts have different opening sizes? For example my first dart was 3.5 inches and the new one is 2 inches. Thanks!

[@MadetoSew]

Just saw this question, but realised I answered it on the other feed! So others that are looking for the answer: If you are using dart manipulation it is ok if the dart is a different size. The longer the dart is from the bust apex to the edge of the pattern the wider the dart will be. Hope this helps :-))

[@JS-vd9dt]

Made to Sew I do have one more question- how do I make darts bigger? Like if I need to lessen the fullness in a skirt part of the dress pattern and I would prefer not to take off from the sides or middle. Thanks!

[@MadetoSew]

@@JS-vd9dt for a skirt pattern you could add to the darts instead of removing from the side seams. However you may or may not achieve a good finish if you do that, you will need to make a sample and see how it hangs. Darts in a skirt are usually based on the difference between the waist and full hip measurements. The greater the distance, the larger the darts.

[@audreysmith3718]

I try to down the fry pattern but when I did it says 15$

[@MadetoSew]

Hi there, it isn't $15 dollars it is £0.50. Unfortunately we had to add a price to the pattern because it was bringing it a lot of spam to my website. Now there is a tiny price people have to put their card details in, so it stops the pain. Any issues email [e-mail]. There is actually an updated one of these patterns launching in about 1 week, it will come with more sleeve options and a much bigger size range; size UK 4 to UK 30. Maybe wait for this?

[@AlexandriaPerel]

Hello, I want to manipulate the darts on the back bodice piece. Could you help me?

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Alexandria, you can use a similar method within reason, you just have to remember that the back of the body has less curves, so we cautious where you move the darts. Wher4e are you hoping to move them?

[@AlexandriaPerel]

Made to Sew I want to take them out and put the curve into the center back seam. I also want to play with them but I am not sure where the back wait dart point it to move it. I know I can’t move it above the horizontal balance line but I would like to know how to play with it like you can on the front of the bodice. Thank you for reply to me! Your video was excellent!

[@AlexandriaPerel]

Sent you a FB message for follow up. Thanks again for your videos and help.

[@MadetoSew]

@@AlexandriaPerel So very sorry I have only just seen this. Will look now. Aneka x

[@MadetoSew]

@@AlexandriaPerel I will see your Facebook message and reply. Sorry for the delay.

[@judyhansen6237]

Hi! Is there a book you can recommend on dart manipulation..?

[@MadetoSew]

Hmm... I have the Winifred Aldrich book, which is what I was original taught with. Not sure how clear it is as a teaching aid though, and the garments are relatively old fashioned. But it's worth having as a resource. Most pattern cutting books will cover it, just depends on how clearly they do so. 😃

[@judyhansen6237]

@@MadetoSew thank you! 👊🥰

[@MadetoSew]

@@judyhansen6237 😘

[@user-iq7oq9lr4m]

مع الظهر والطول الكامل مع التميمي ومع قص الكم وأرجو أن تحققي تلك الأمنية

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you.

[@loveintheair9260]

Why is it hard to undertaand Pattern makingg:(

[@MadetoSew]

Oh no! You will get there.

[@user-iq7oq9lr4m]

طمنيني البترون بتعلمي على النت وكيف ام شراء من النت أنا أحمد أبو علي معجب بعملك اريد منك رسم باترون فستان ويكون مترجم للعربية مع جميع التقسيم الحسابي لك مني أجمل تحية

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you.

[@afreenabdulsaleem3838]

Translate in English below the video don't understand thank you

[@MadetoSew]

Sorry, this video is in English? What are you struggling with. Thank you. Aneka

[@keshavtamang6735]

Made to Sew i guess She is struggling to catch you. And is prob asking for english subtit