Dart

How it is used

Pattern makers add, move, close and rotate darts; common types are bust darts, waist darts and back darts. Fit comments often say a dart is too long, too deep or pointing in the wrong place.

Example sentences

1. The bust dart ends too close to the apex; please shorten it by 2 cm.

2. We rotated the dart into the side seam to keep the front clean.

Common collocations

• bust dart
• waist dart
• rotate a dart
• dart point
• dart length

Related terms

• patternA paper or digital template for each piece of a garment, used to cut the fabric; it also means a repeated decorative design on fabric.
• blockA basic pattern without style details, made from standard measurements, which pattern makers adapt to create new designs.
• fitThe way a garment sits on the body: how tight or loose it is and whether its shape and measurements suit the wearer.
• pleatA fold of fabric pressed or stitched in place to add fullness or shape, as in a pleated skirt or pleated trousers.

More terms: Pattern Making

• grading
• grain line
• toile
• ease
• marker