An easy way to sew darts

Today I have mostly been sewing darts using a method i've seen in various places on the interweb.  It works a treat!

First of all mark the bottom of your dart with a little cut on each leg.

Then fold the dart, aligning the two cuts.

On your sewing machine, make sure your top thread (the one that goes through the needle) is quite long.  Place the piece under your presserfoot and sew one or two stitches.  Then lift the presserfoot while the needle is still down, and bring that top thread forward.  

Pin the thread  to the end of your dart so that it creates a perfectly straight line of thread which marks the line for you to sew along.  Sew along the line and taper off at the end in the usual way.

et Voila!  A perfect dart.

Important sewing links

I have discovered a sewing website called ThreadsMagazine.com and in between dot and cross sessions, have been glued to it! A very informative site indeed where you can watch videos, look at pictures and learn interesting things if you are sew inclined (boom boom!). My favourites:

Making and Using a Muslin video - this video demonstrates not only how to alter your pattern to fit, but also how to make dart legs. This technique is handy for a whole range of pattern making pursuits.

Understanding Turn of Cloth - I didn't know such a thing even existed, but i'm very glad to know about it now! Especially as I would like to attempt a bit of tailoring at some stage.

Padding your Dressform - The next best thing to growing an extra pair of arms for fitting clothes on yourself. I already do the bra thing, but I hadn't thought of the bottom end!!

Manuel's free motion Embroidery - Mesmerising, fascinating - this man seems to control his extremly scary machine using his knees!

Pressing Templates - Why didn't I think of this??

There are tips and techniques for just about any dressmaking conundrum that you can think of. I am still exploring but today I am attempting to make up my skirt pattern which has now been cut, tried and tested. Ready for the real thing now, and hope to be finished by Friday!